SHANGHAI, April 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — From April 2 to 31, the Assembly Character Toys brand Blokees made its debut at the 2026 Thailand Toy Expo. Blokees unveiled its two major categories — Blokees Model Kits and Blokees Wheels, highlighting a diverse product matrix of more than 300 products across 17 globally recognized IPs, including Ultraman, Transformers, DC, Evangelion, Naruto, Minions, Jurassic World, Hatsune Miku, and Hero Infinity. Four new model kits also made their global debut, emerging as key highlights of the event.

Mario Maurer attended the opening ceremony of Blokees Thailand Toy Expo as a special guest and engaged in interactive exchanges with consumers.

In the Blokees Model Kits category, Blokees exhibited its Champion, Legend, and Fantastic Series, featuring popular IPs such as Transformers, DC, Mega Man, Saint Seiya, Evangelion, and Naruto. More than 50 products were presented to consumers. Among them, four newly launched items—including Blokees Saint Seiya-Champion Class-12-Phoenix Ikki, Blokees Saint Seiya-Champion Class-14-Andromeda Shun, Blokees DC-Champion Class 05-Batman (HUSH), and Blokees DC-Champion Class 06-Catwoman (Hush)—drew strong interest from fans.

Blokees also highlighted its HERO5 and HERO10 series, featuring well-known IPs including Transformers, Saint Seiya, and Naruto, catering to consumers of hero-themed collectible models.

The DaaLaMode series introduced a range of products inspired by popular IPs such as Hatsune Miku, appealing to female consumers. Meanwhile, the TERRAVENTURE series presented nature and creature-themed model kits based on Jurassic World, further expanding Blokees’ offerings across different consumer segments.

In the Blokees Wheels category, which integrates construction, play, and customization, products are organized into the C, E, and S series. The lineup includes IP-based offerings from Transformers, Ultraman, and Batman, with upcoming collaborations featuring Fast & Furious and Ford.

In addition, Blokees highlighted its global consumer ecosystem, BFC (Blokees Family Creator). Selected works from 2025 The 3rd BFC Creation Contest Stellar Season were exhibited in Thailand for the first time, reflecting strong user creativity and engagement. 2026 The 4th BFC Creation Contest Season of Awakening has officially launched, further encouraging global participation.

Under its “Universally appealing, Stepwise pricing, Globally promoting” strategy, Blokees continues to expand across Southeast Asia, Europe, North America, and Latin America. Thailand is rapidly becoming a strategic hub in its regional expansion, as the company strengthens both product innovation and community-driven growth worldwide.

Source

HANGZHOU, China, April 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A team led by principal investigators Bobo Dang and Ting Zhou at Westlake University/Westlake Laboratory reported in Science a high-throughput platform for engineering fast-acting covalent protein therapeutics. Their work, titled “A high-throughput selection system for fast-acting covalent protein drugs,” opens new avenues for next-generation biologics.

Covalent small-molecule drugs have shown great success in cancer therapy by forming irreversible bonds with their targets. This has inspired efforts to extend covalent strategies to protein therapeutics, especially engineered miniproteins. However, their development is limited by a kinetic mismatch: Miniproteins are rapidly cleared in vivo, whereas covalent bond formation is typically slow. In addition, high-throughput platforms for systematically optimizing covalent protein reactivity have been lacking.

To address this challenge, the researchers proposed that precise spatial positioning of chemical warheads within protein scaffolds could enable molecular preorganization, thereby accelerating covalent bond formation without increasing intrinsic reactivity (Fig. 1).

Based on this concept, the team developed a high-throughput platform that combines yeast surface display with chemoselective protein modification to screen diverse crosslinkers and millions of protein variants. By optimizing warhead placement and the local chemical environment, the platform enables rapid and irreversible target engagement.

Using this platform, the researchers developed a covalent antagonist targeting PD-L1, termed IB101. Structural analysis revealed that IB101 forms a defined binding pocket that precisely positions the warhead in a reactive conformation, greatly accelerating covalent bond formation. Functionally, IB101 effectively blocks the PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint pathway and demonstrates strong antitumor activity in mouse models. Notably, despite its short in vivo half-life, IB101 achieves durable target engagement and tumor suppression, outperforming conventional antibody-based therapies under comparable conditions.

The platform was further applied to cytokine engineering, leading to the development of a covalent IL-18 variant, IB201. This engineered cytokine rapidly forms a covalent interaction with its receptor, enhancing signaling strength and duration. In vivo studies showed that IB201 induces potent antitumor immune responses without detectable systemic toxicity. These results highlight the potential of covalent engineering to improve the efficacy and safety of cytokine-based therapies.

Beyond immunotherapy targets, the platform was also applied to develop a covalent inhibitor targeting the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2. This molecule achieves durable viral neutralization, demonstrating the versatility of the approach across different therapeutic modalities.

This study establishes a general strategy for engineering fast-acting covalent protein therapeutics. By enabling covalent bond formation on timescales compatible with rapid in vivo clearance, the platform overcomes a fundamental limitation in the field.

These findings provide a new framework for designing biologics with both rapid kinetics and sustained target engagement, with broad implications for cancer immunotherapy, antiviral therapy, and beyond.

Media Contact: 

Chi Zhang
media@westlake.edu.cn 
+86-15659837873

Source

50+ Countries and regions and Nearly 500 Booths with HK$1 Offers
Targeting Attendance to Surpass 260,000

HONG KONG, April 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Organized by the Exhibition Group, the “Hong Kong International Food Tasting Festival 2026” (the “Expo”) officially opened today at Halls 1ABCD of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event runs until 7 April 2026 (Tuesday), spanning five days over the Easter holiday and bringing a brand-new gourmet consumption experience to citizens across Hong Kong. Following a successful comeback last year that attracted close to 260,000 visitors, this year’s Expo builds on that momentum with a comprehensive scale-up, bringing together international specialty ingredients, popular souvenir foods and authentic delicacies from over 50 countries and regions. With nearly 500 booths, the event offers a wide variety of dining choices, highlighting the concept of “Taste Before Purchase”. The exhibits cover a diverse range of categories, including frozen seafood, meat and vegetarian products, halal foods, premium ingredients, snacks, dairy products, health and organic foods, assorted teas and beverages, grains, and a variety of wines and spirits. Complemented by multiple themed zones and a rich program of activities, the Expo is poised to become the must-visit food and shopping carnival of the Easter holiday season.

The opening ceremony was attended by Dr. Bernard Chan, Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Ms. Scarlett Mok, representative of The Club, HKT’s digital investment business; Ms. Lana Wong, Artist; Ms. Candy Wong, Executive Director of Power Angels Social Enterprise Limited; Mr. Martin Kwok, Director of T Cube Culture and Education Limited; Mr. Patrick Li, Founder of Meilok Store; Ms. Emily Ng, Chief Operating Officer of EeMee Productions; Mr. Andy Wong, Editor-in-Chief of Hong Kong Singer Channel; Dr. Purple Li, Founder of Purple Music World, and Mr. Carl Wong, Chairman of Exhibition Group Limited.

Mr. Carl Wong, Chairman of Exhibition Group, said: “Following its comeback last year, the Expo set new records in both attendance and sales despite the challenges of cross-boundary spending and outbound travel among Hong Kong residents, earning the media accolade of the ‘Easter Miracle.’ This proves that Hong Kong consumers’ purchasing power remains robust and the market’s appeal has never faded. This year, the Expo debuts several all-new themed zones, including Hong Kong’s first-ever ‘Popular Cartoon Characters Food & Fun Pavilion’ and the ‘1 Belt 1 Road on Silk Road Zone,’ while also presenting ‘The World of Whimsy Carnival’ and ‘The Silver Mic Concert’ among a rich array of entertainment programs. Our goal is to create an integrated platform blending food, culture, entertainment and bazaar experiences, ensuring that every visitor — adults, children and seniors alike — can eat, shop and play to their heart’s content. Through fresh and diverse culinary experiences, we aim to attract more local residents as well as visitors from the Greater Bay Area and beyond to come and savour Hong Kong’s gastronomic charm. We hope to entrench this as a signature annual food festival for every Hong Kong resident and a hallmark of the city’s brand, boosting local retail and supporting economic uplift.”

“1 Belt 1 Road on Silk Road Zone“, Connecting Global Food Cultures
This year, the Expo features the “1 Belt 1 Road on Silk Road Zone,” bringing together specialty halal foods from numerous countries and regions along the Belt and Road. Highlights include lamb, dried fruits and ready-made dishes from Xinjiang and Guangzhou in Chinese mainland; natural apricot products and Himalayan rock salt from Hunza — Pakistan’s famed “Valley of Longevity”; national-banquet-grade Kabsa (Arabian hand-eaten rice) ingredients and seasonings from Saudi Arabia; Dhal Puri (lentil-stuffed flatbread) from Mauritius; classic Tagine spice and sauce sets from Morocco; Jollof Rice cooking kits from Nigeria; olive oil and traditional “sand-brewed coffee” from Turkey; Osh (hand-pulled pilaf) from Uzbekistan — inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list; halal-certified coffee from Vietnam; and Kazakhstan’s national dish Beshbarmak. The zone offers visitors a one-stop journey through diverse halal food cultures, showcasing the rich culinary heritage and trade opportunities along the Belt and Road.

20 Beverage Brands All Under One Roof, $1 Coffee and Chill Handcrafted Drinks
The “Yum Yeah Market” gathers approximately 20 popular local and international beverage brands, serving a wide variety of coffee, tea and handcrafted drinks, allowing visitors to savour an array of flavours all in one place. Local favourite “Milk Tea Foodie” presents a range of Hong Kong-style handcrafted milk teas, including its award-winning signature “Prize-Winning Milk Tea.” Health-focused local handcrafted beverage brand MR. PROTEIN debuts an exclusive new “Apple Cinnamon” flavour on-site at a special tasting price of $17 per cup. Popular coffee brand Flow Float offers a Dirty-variation coffee crafted using ultra-freeze technology at −86°C, with a daily $1 drink deal limited to just 20 cups on a first-come, first-served basis. Popcorn specialists POPPOP RANGERS bring 13 distinctive popcorn flavours along with the new “Chill Burst Handcrafted Series” POPPOP drinks — purchase any Chill Burst Handcrafted Series drink to add a cup of popcorn for just $9.90 (limited to 30 servings per day, while stocks last), perfect for snacking on the go.

Hong Kong’s First-Ever “Popular Cartoon Characters Food & Fun Pavilion“, Integrating Food, Photo Spots, and Interactive Experiences
This year’s Expo debuts Hong Kong’s first “Popular Cartoon Characters Food & Fun Pavilion”, curated by creative concept unit Yamashita Kashi. The pavilion brings together beloved cartoon characters from Japan, Europe, the Americas and across Asia, including Monchhichi, Snoopy, Panda Friends and Cardcaptor Sakura. By fusing four key elements: characters, food, photo spot and retail, the pavilion completely reinvents the traditional booth format, delivering an all-round upgrade of gustatory, visual and interactive experiences, alongside a range of exclusive, event-limited merchandise. The pavilion is divided into multiple themed zones, each featuring signature character-inspired treats and photo spots. Highlights include the “Monchhichi” Ice Cream Dream Factory serving Monchhichi-themed desserts, the “Snoopy” Hong Kong-Style Chill Street Kitchen featuring classic egg waffles, the “Panda Friends” Dim Sum Parlour offering panda-shaped Chinese buns, and the “Cardcaptor Sakura” Sweet Shop. The pavilion also features capsule toy machines, limited-edition flash cards and other interactive elements — making it a must-visit destination for families and young collectors alike to eat, play, snap and enjoy.

Traditional Snacks, Cheung Chau Food Culture Zone, Multiple Themed Zones for a Diverse Culinary Experience
This year, the Expo presents several major themed zones: the “Cheung Chau Food Culture Zone,” the “Meilok Store Vintage Photo Zone,” “Taste of Jazz” and the “Joyful Ageing Zone.”

• In a first-time collaboration with T Cube Culture and Education Limited, the Expo debuts the “Cheung Chau Food Culture Zone”, featuring a 3.5-metre-tall miniature inflatable bun tower for photo opportunities, alongside iconic Cheung Chau delicacies such as Peace Buns and Jumbo Fish Balls, promoting Hong Kong’s unique food heritage to the public and tourists alike.
• The “Meilok Store Vintage Photo Zone” showcases over 30 classic snacks, toys and memorabilia from Hong Kong’s 1970s and 80s, including retro sweets and novelty trinkets, bring visitors back good memories from childhood. The zone also features a fun “Grab-All-You-Can” game — spend $50 or more at Meilok Store to play for just 50 cents and grab as many candy treats as you can in one handful (limited to 50 participants per day), reliving the joys and flavours of childhood.
• The “Taste of Jazz” themed zone brings together a curated selection of specialty restaurants and bars, offering an array of premium cuisine and fine wines. Food offerings include traditional Hong Kong dim sum, street-style tamagoyaki (Japanese rolled omelette), Taiwanese snacks and more, while the wine and spirits selection spans red and white wines, champagne, whisky, brandy and gin. A live jazz band performs a repertoire of jazz standards throughout the event, delivering an elegant and unforgettable multi-sensory experience for visitors.
• All-New “Joyful Ageing Zone” to Promote Inclusive Dining for All Ages. In response to evolving social demographics and the rise of cross-generational consumer trends, this year’s Expo introduces the “Joyful Ageing Zone” for the first time, comprehensively addressing the needs of different age groups for safe and healthy dining options. Designed specifically for elderly visitors and individuals with special dietary requirements, the zone focuses on those with swallowing difficulties, showcasing a range of minced and soft-textured meals and other health-care food products. On-site tasting experiences are available, offering innovative dietary solutions for seniors and their families, and promoting an age-friendly food culture that supports social inclusion.

Exclusive Deals Starting from $1, “Roasted Pork Giveaway” Revives Hong Kong’s Local Delicacies
The Expo presents the “Roasted Gold Pork Giveaway” campaign. During the Expo, the first 1,000 visitors on opening day and the first 500 visitors on each subsequent day will receive a complimentary roasted pork redemption card, which can be exchanged for a serving of roasted pork at a designated booth within a specified time. Quantities are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

This year’s Expo brings together a multitude of exhibitors, catering to a wide range of dietary needs and food enthusiasts. Wah Yuen Foods (Hong Kong) Limited (Booth: 1A-U31) offers exceptional vegetarian deals: starting at 12:00 noon daily, a limited run of $1 vegetarian roast goose (10 packs per day), a $10 gift pack (exclusive to the first 3 customers daily), and a $150 gift pack with a complimentary premium item. Hoptai Marine Products Company Limited (Booth: 1C-K01) features seafood specials: the first 10 customers can enjoy a premium Buddha Jumps Over the Wall for just $10 per bowl; canned abalone (425g) at $100 for 3 cans; and 4/6-head braised abalone (200g) at $100 for 7 cans — limited quantities on a first-come, first-served basis. Purelife (Booth: 1C-H02) presents a wellness soup set promotion: the Ching Luk Soup Set, originally valued at $495, is available daily for just $1 (limited to 5 sets per day). Jenzet Limited (Booth: 1B-Q02) brings LELEK Crispy Fish Balls at a show-exclusive price of $10 per pack (originally $20, limited to 50 packs per day), as well as Multi-Potato Mash Cups at 6 for $50 (originally $10 per cup, limited to 50 sets per day).

Health-conscious visitors may wish to take note of the following: Wah Yue Tong (1972) Company Limited (Booth: 1A-U07) showcases its Cinagro Organic Superfood series, including organic golden roasted flaxseed, cold-pressed flaxseed oil and five-black nourishing powder. Selected products are available daily at limited-quantity prices from as low as $1 and $10 (limited to 10 units per item per day), on a first-come, first-served basis. Juwan Trading Co Ltd (Booth: 1B-M31 & M32) presents a selection of healthy snack deals, including Taiwanese candied dried fruit at a daily flash price of $1 for designated flavours (limited to 20 packs per day), and 10x concentrated organic kale powder at a special price of $10 per box from 12:00 noon daily. Wine lovers should not miss Chelsea International Limited (Booth: 1B-N17), offering Australian Flemington Carnival Red Wine (750ml) at just $10 per bottle — limited to 40 bottles daily from 12:00 noon. For lovers of traditional delicacies, Yip Cheong Food Company Limited (Booth: 1C-K17) presents authentic Shunde fish balls (250g) at a flash price of $1 per box, available from 11:00 am daily throughout the Expo (limited to 20 boxes per day, one box per person), while stocks last.

Non-Stop Festive Fun, Embrace the Easter Holiday Spirit
Coinciding with the Easter long weekend, visitors can immerse themselves in festive entertainment alongside the culinary delights. The venue features a “The World of Whimsy Carnival” blending nostalgic and modern tech elements, with a variety of games and amusement facilities including classic arcade games such as ring toss and horse racing machines, VR motion-sensing games and claw machines — fun for the whole family. The Expo also hosts the “The Silver Mic Concert” on the main stage, featuring over a dozen singers including Ivan Lo Yat-hin, Gavin Tao Ka-yiu, HY Leung Ho-yin, Cristovao Ngai Ka-shun, Nelo Andrea Lau Ho, Angus Ting Man-chun, Jacky Chu Pok-man, Jenny Li Ka-lam, Sean Sim Chung-yin, Norman Cheung Lap-ki, Lana Wong Ha-wai, Cheung Mo-hau (Big AL), Kan Mok Chun-yin, Simon Chung Wai-keung, Bo Luk performing beloved golden hits. The program also includes children’s music, dance and saxophone performances, creating a vibrant and joyful festive atmosphere.

$1 Admission and Free Entry for Seniors, Mastercard Scratch Card Lucky Draw with Prizes Worth Over $230,000
To enable more citizens to share in this food carnival, the organizer offers a range of admission promotions. Each day during the Expo, the first 1,000 on-site ticket purchasers can buy an admission ticket for just HK$1 (limit of one ticket per person). To further promote “silver consumption”, the organizer continues to offer free admission for persons aged 65 or above upon presentation of a Senior Citizen Card or Hong Kong Identity Card, actively fostering an age-friendly consumer environment and supporting the development of the silver market.

The Expo features the “Mastercard Scratch Card Lucky Draw”. For every HK$200 spent on a single receipt using a Mastercard at designated booths within the venue, customers receive one lucky draw chance — HK$400 earns two chances, and so on, up to a maximum of 10 chances per receipt. With a total prize pool valued at over HK$230,000 and more than 6,000 prizes including return flights to Tokyo for two, Ocean Park admission tickets, cordyceps and supermarket vouchers. Participants can collect a scratch card at the designated redemption counter for an instant-win result. (Licence No.: 061188, 061189) Furthermore, the Exhibition Group will continue to partner with The Club, under HKT, to roll out its “Point2Purchase Consumption Vouchers”. Since its launch last year, the program has been piloted at multiple exhibitions to positive reception. The Club’s over 4 million members can convert accumulated points into Expo-exclusive consumer vouchers via the app, redeem physical vouchers at a dedicated counter within the venue, and use them instantly at participating booths further promotes “local consumption,” and creating a win-win situation for exhibitors and consumers.

Hong Kong International Food Tasting Festival 2026

About Exhibition Group
Exhibition Group Limited is one of Hong Kong’s renowned exhibition companies. Our core team has been assembled since 2003, bringing together a group of innovative, experienced, and professional exhibition talents. As a leading event management company, specializing in the planning and operation of world-class public exhibitions, conferences, and trade fairs, covering a wide range of industries. With years of industry experience, we are committed to the development of exhibition and marketing businesses, gaining a prestigious reputation within the exhibition industry.

Our company organizes a variety of themed exhibitions and marketing projects, which not only receive substantial support from the business community and exhibitors but also effectively attract a large number of public participants. Each event has garnered rave reviews, resulting in a win-win situation for exhibitors in both product promotion and sales. Notable exhibitions include the Pet Show, In-Home Expo, Premium Pet Supplies Expo, Hong Kong Cat Expo, Hong Kong Holiday & Travel Expo, Extracurricular Activities Festival cum Teaching Materials and Supplies Expo, and Hong Kong Outdoor & Sports Expo, among others. In recent years, our company has been honored with several awards, including the “Outstanding Award for Pandemic Resilience,” “ESG Commendation Awards,” and “Innovative Exhibition Planning,” recognizing our business development achievements across various sectors.

This press release is distributed by Market Hubs Holdings Limited.

Source

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, April 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — GIBO Holdings Ltd. (NASDAQ: GIBO), a global technology company focused on AI-driven content, today announced the launch of its Multi-Modal Workspaces Engine, a core component of the GIBO Watch system designed to unify the editing, assembly, and finalization process for short-form video production.

Positioned as the “Ultimate Editing Bay” within the GIBO Watch framework, this release introduces a seamless environment where video clips, AI-generated voiceovers, and background music can be integrated, edited, and exported within a single intelligent workspace.

Bringing Creation Together in One Unified Interface

As content production becomes increasingly AI-driven, creators often face fragmented workflows across multiple tools. GIBO’s Multi-Modal Workspaces address this challenge by providing a centralized editing interface that consolidates all creative elements into a cohesive production environment.

Within this workspace, creators can combine visual outputs, synchronize audio layers, refine transitions, and finalize content without the need for external editing software. This integrated approach significantly reduces workflow complexity and enhances production efficiency.

Multi-Modal Integration for Modern Content Production

The Multi-Modal Workspaces are designed to support the convergence of multiple content layers, enabling creators to seamlessly orchestrate:

• AI-generated video clips and scenes
• AI voiceovers with synchronized timing
• Generated background music and sound effects

By aligning these elements within a single timeline-based interface, the system enables precise control over narrative flow, pacing, and audiovisual consistency—critical for high-performance short-form content.

Simplified Export and Publishing Workflow

To complete the production cycle, GIBO Watch introduces built-in export and publishing tools, allowing creators to prepare and deliver content efficiently.

The export system supports multiple formats and aspect ratios, ensuring compatibility with various social media platforms and streaming environments. This allows creators to move from production to distribution seamlessly, accelerating time-to-market for short-form content.

Advancing GIBO Watch as a Full-Stack Creative Framework

The introduction of Multi-Modal Workspaces further strengthens GIBO Watch’s position as a comprehensive AI-enabled framework for short film production, marketing, and monetization.

By integrating creation, editing, and output capabilities into a unified system, GIBO is building a full-stack infrastructure that supports the entire content lifecycle—from ideation and generation to final delivery and distribution.

Driving the Future of Intelligent Content Production

GIBO continues to focus on simplifying and scaling the creative process through AI innovation. The Multi-Modal Workspaces represent a critical step toward enabling creators, studios, and platforms to operate within a fully integrated production ecosystem.

As demand for short-form content continues to grow globally, GIBO Watch is designed to provide the tools necessary to produce, refine, and deliver content efficiently hence unlocking new opportunities in the evolving digital content economy.

About GIBO Holdings Limited

GIBO Holdings Ltd. is a unique and integrated AIGC animation streaming platform with extensive functionalities provided to both viewers and creators that serves a broad community of young people across Asia to create, publish, share and enjoy AI-generated animation video content. With over 83 million registered users and advanced AI-powered tools, GIBO seeks to redefine the landscape of digital content creation.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “target” or other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements also include, but are not limited to, statements regarding projections, estimates and forecasts of revenue and other financial and performance metrics, projections of market opportunity and expectations, the Company’s ability to scale and grow its business, the Company’s advantages and expected growth, the Company’s ability to source and retain talent, and the Company’s cash position, as applicable. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified in this press release, and on the current expectations of the Company’s management and are not predictions of actual performance. These statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company’s actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that it has a reasonable basis for each forward-looking statement contained in this press release, the Company cautions you that these statements are based on a combination of facts and factors currently known and projections of the future, which are inherently uncertain. The forward-looking statements in this press release represent the views of the Company as of the date of this press release. Subsequent events and developments may cause those views to change. Except as may be required by law, the Company does not undertake any duty to update these forward-looking statements.

Contact Information

Investor Relations:
Bill Zima
ICR, Inc.
William.zima@icrinc.com 

Media Relations:
Edmond Lococo
ICR, Inc.
Edmond.Lococo@icrinc.com

For more information and the latest updates, please visit:
https://www.globalibo.com/

Source: GIBO Holdings Ltd.

Source

GUANGZHOU, China, April 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The 57th China International Furniture Fair (CIFF Guangzhou 2026) concluded on March 31 under the theme “CONNECT•CREATE.” With an all‑time high of over 5,100 exhibitors, 93.8% of whom chose CIFF Guangzhou as the platform to debut new products, the eight‑day event welcomed 353,106 professional visitors from 185 countries and regions. International attendance reached 64,291, marking a 13.2% increase from the 2025 peak and setting a new record. Throughout the fair, 111 concurrent events were held, alongside the debut release of nine major trend reports, reinforcing CIFF’s role as an industry thought leader. To better serve Middle Eastern buyers unable to attend in person, the fair introduced an innovative remote matchmaking service, combining on-site live exhibition walkthroughs with real-time online engagement, facilitating 162 targeted procurement matching sessions and ensuring continuity in international sourcing.

Spanning the full value chain, the fair connected global resources across its three flagship exhibitions to drive industry collaboration and growth.

Running March 18-21, the Home Furniture Exhibition explored how design advances from concept to market to drive growth. Spanning 430,000 square meters, it fostered global exchange, supporting international brands entering China while helping Chinese brands expand abroad. Curated showcases traced the evolution of contemporary home aesthetics. Reflecting shifting lifestyles, the exhibition also highlighted emerging directions such as pet‑friendly spaces and age-inclusive design.

On March 28-31, the Office and Commercial Space Exhibition, themed “Sustainability,” presented a forward-looking vision for workplace ecosystems across office environments, office seating, and public commercial spaces. Visitors experienced green principles woven into the design, materials, and full lifecycle, highlighting progress in low‑carbon innovation from concept to use. Smart technologies also acted as the core engine, integrating intelligent products, design strategies, and service systems to create connected solutions across spaces and workplace operations, guiding the industry toward inclusive and sustainable growth.

Held concurrently, the CIFM/interzum guangzhou connected global innovation and industrial chains to drive manufacturing transformation. The Machinery area highlighted intelligent production, uniting woodworking and upholstery equipment with Industry 4.0 and flexible lines for scalable smart‑manufacturing upgrades. The Furniture Materials area showcased advances in CMF, functionality, and sustainable finishes. The Hardware area presented smart solutions enhancing home design and spatial performance.

With three major exhibitions forming an integrated platform linking creativity, manufacturing, and global commerce, CIFF 2026 united industry professionals worldwide and strengthened Guangzhou’s position as a key international furniture hub.

Source

BEIJING, April 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Shanghai Fashion Week has risen to the fourth place globally, overtaking New York, according to a report released Thursday in Shanghai. The Global Fashion Industry Index-Fashion Week Vitality Index Report (2025), issued by China Economic Information Service, describes Shanghai as the fastest-growing node city in the global fashion landscape.

Paris and Milan fashion weeks retained the top two positions globally. London and Shanghai ranked third and fourth, with commercial vibrancy and digital transformation cited as their core competitiveness.

For the first time, the report added a “commercial trade activity” indicator to quantify each fashion week’s ability to integrate commercial resources and convert them into market transactions. Shanghai Fashion Week recorded 1,217 trade brands, second only to Paris, and operated seven digital trade platforms which is the highest figure among all eight fashion weeks surveyed.

The report noted persistent gaps. Shanghai Fashion Week’s 23 product categories and average transaction price of 420 U.S. dollars represent only 64 percent and 54 percent of Paris Fashion Week’s figures respectively, reflecting a market still dominated by mid-range and emerging brands but with significant growth potential.

In the elements aggregation dimension, Paris and Milan led with 429 and 387 participating brands and 544 and 529 events respectively, while Shanghai hosted around 200 events and distinguished itself through new brand participation. In industry influence, Shanghai ranked first globally in the number of designers, and its innovation trend score also placed near the top.

China’s apparel and fashion retail market reached nearly 460 billion U.S. dollars in 2025, maintaining its position as the world’s largest single market. Global fashion e-commerce penetration rate rose from 18 percent in 2020 to approximately 36 percent in 2025, surpassing 45 percent in emerging markets.

On sustainability, approximately 72 percent of global consumers said they were willing to pay a premium for sustainable products, with most accepting a markup of 5 to 10 percent. The report devoted a dedicated chapter to artificial intelligence, noting that 58 to 60 percent of global fashion retailers have integrated AI into operations and marketing.

The report concluded that Shanghai Fashion Week is at a critical transition from scale expansion to capability upgrading, and should deepen integration of local culture, contemporary design and haute couture to strengthen its role as a commercial hub connecting design with consumption.

Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/350009.html

Source

SINGAPORE, April 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Sustainable Tourism Impact Fund, a partnership between Agoda, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Singapore, and the UnTours Foundation, has announced its second round of investments alongside early impact results from the Fund’s inaugural cohort.

Designed to provide affordable, flexible financing to small and medium-sized tourism enterprises, the Fund supports businesses that integrate environmental restoration, climate resilience, and inclusive economic development into their core operations. Indonesia-based Livingseas Asia and Bambike Ecotours in the Philippines are the beneficiaries of the new investments. Each new investee receives USD 25,000 in loan capital to expand impact-driven initiatives across the region.

In Indonesia, Livingseas Asia combines dive tourism with coral reef restoration in Padangbai, Bali. Its nonprofit arm, the Livingseas Foundation, has restored more than 7,300 square meters of degraded reef, deploying artificial reef structures and planting over 320,000 coral fragments, with measurable biodiversity recovery. The Fund’s investment will support the construction of modular housing for staff and trainees near the restoration site. This will expand Livingseas Asia’s hosting capacity and strengthen the Foundation’s ability to deliver marine education, conservation training, and reef restoration activities. 

Bambike Ecotours in the Philippines connects bamboo agroforestry, fair trade bicycle manufacturing in rural communities, and regenerative tourism experiences. The loan will support the development of Ligtasin Cove in Batangas, a bamboo-built tourism destination that will include coastal ecotours and a bamboo nursery for reforestation and erosion control. The initiative aims to create local jobs while expanding lower-carbon tourism experiences that connect travelers with community-led environmental restoration.

“At Agoda, we believe the future of travel depends on the resilience of the destinations we serve,” said Timothy Hughes, Vice President of Corporate Development at Agoda. “These investments support local pioneers integrating environmental restoration and community well-being into their operations, demonstrating the potential of impact-driven travel.” 

Six months after the Fund’s initial investments, early results across Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines demonstrate encouraging environmental and community impact. 

Across Southeast Asia, three organizations advanced community-led tourism in meaningful ways. In Thailand, Local Alike expanded its Travel With Care initiative to 10 destinations, launching 16 regenerative tourism activities and securing partnerships with national parks and tourism authorities to develop a white paper on regenerative tourism. In the Philippines, Ecohotels grew its Bahay Farms initiative by onboarding 22 farmers, planting 500 mango trees, increasing plant-based menu offerings from 35% to 50%, and launching its Green Warriors workforce program, with 5 of 15 trainees already placed in hospitality roles. In Indonesia, Sejiva introduced heritage walking tours and coral restoration experiences across West Java and Jakarta, while scaling its #travelpositive campaign to reach broader audiences. 

“We are incredibly encouraged by the impact created so far by our inaugural cohort,” said Sarah Payne, Senior Director of Impact at the UnTours Foundation. “These businesses are expanding regenerative tourism models, strengthening local livelihoods, and embedding measurable environmental outcomes into their growth. Their progress shows how flexible financing can translate into tangible impact on the ground.” 

The Fund is part of Agoda’s broader sustainability strategy and builds on its partnership with WWF-Singapore through Agoda’s Eco Deals program. Through Eco Deals, Agoda works with hotel partners across Asia to offer travelers discounted stays while directing a portion of proceeds to WWF’s conservation initiatives. Those funds also support the Sustainable Tourism Impact Fund, extending conservation impact to small tourism enterprises, strengthening ecosystem health and community resilience at the destination level. 

Tourism enterprises across the region advancing conservation, climate resilience, sustainable mobility, and community-led economic development are encouraged to apply for the next round of funding at: https://untoursfoundation.org/sustainable-tourism-impact-fund.

Source