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THE SULTANATE OF OMAN CONSOLIDATES ITS POSITION AS A STABLE DESTINATION FOR GLOBAL CAPITAL

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MUSCAT, Oman, June 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Sultanate of Oman continues to strengthen its position as a gateway for international capital and investment. This trajectory is built on solid economic fundamentals, an investment-grade credit rating, and financial and regulatory frameworks that align with the highest international standards. As global investors increasingly prioritize governance, legal clarity, and long-term stability, the Sultanate of Oman provides a highly secure and attractive environment for capital allocation.

The International Financial Centre of Oman (IFC Oman) plays a fundamental role in this ecosystem, having been established as a key pillar to support this strategic positioning.  IFC Oman provides international investors, financial institutions, and professional services firms with a legal and regulatory framework mirroring the practices of the world’s leading financial jurisdictions. This environment supports the structuring of investments and the conduct of cross-border business with exceptional clarity and legal certainty.

Reaffirming the strategic priority of IFC Oman within the Sultanate of Oman’s economic agenda, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik has appointed the Centre’s Board of Directors, chaired by His Highness Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs along with senior Omani economic leaders. The rapid progress in operationalizing the Centre and the high-level composition of its Board reflect the sovereign commitment to this strategic project. Executed with direct support from the highest levels of economic leadership, IFC Oman is central to attracting global capital and accelerating economic diversification and growth.

The Centre operates as an integrated ecosystem comprising three independent institutions responsible for operations and licensing, financial regulation, and dispute resolution. This structural separation of roles ensures transparency and regulatory independence in line with the standards of premier global financial centres. It is fully aligned with international best practices, including the principles of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO), offering international investors the flexibility required to structure investments and manage cross-border operations effectively.

“Our goal is to become the international financial centre of choice. IFC Oman is designed as a trusted, innovative, and business-friendly hub that contributes sustainably to the national economy. By building an integrated ecosystem based on best global practices, an advanced legislative and regulatory framework, and an efficient business environment, the Centre will leverage the unique competitive advantages of the Sultanate of Oman. This will deliver added value for investors and consolidate the Sultanate of Oman’s position as an attractive destination for investment and business regionally and globally,” said His Highness Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Chairman of IFC Oman and Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs.

The establishment of the Board coincides with a period of sustained, tangible progress in Oman’s fundamental economic indicators. The Sultanate of Oman has regained its investment-grade credit rating following a series of sovereign upgrades that reflect improved financial performance, reduced public debt, and the disciplined execution of economic reforms. Public debt has fallen from 68% of GDP in 2020 to 36.5% by the end of 2025. Furthermore, the International Monetary Fund projects that the Omani economy will grow by 3.5% in 2026, positioning it among the highest projected growth rates in the Gulf Cooperation Council.

The success of the Oman’s economic diversification strategy is evident, with non-oil sectors now contributing approximately 70% of total output. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the Sultanate of Oman reached approximately USD 69.4 billion by the end of the third quarter of 2024, recording a 17.6% growth over five years. This momentum reflects the growing confidence of international investors in the Omani economy and its enduring appeal for long-term investment. The Sultanate of Oman’s strategic geographic location, at the intersection of the Gulf, East Africa, and South Asia, strengthens its investment proposition by providing direct connectivity to international trade networks and global shipping lanes.

Sovereign wealth funds in the Gulf Cooperation Council currently manage trillions of dollars in assets, exerting an increasing influence on international investment flows. Through IFC Oman, the Sultanate of Oman enhances its capacity to seamlessly connect global capital with investment opportunities across the Gulf, Africa, and Asia. This solidifies its global standing as a premier investment destination defined by economic diversification, competitiveness, and sustainability.

Media Contact : AlHussain.AlQalhati@mifc.om 

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SOURCE IFC Oman

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DUVA Introduces DUVA ONE at IFA 2026: Personalized Sleep Earbuds That Respond in Real Time

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The Sleep System That Understands You Best.

BERLIN, Sept. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — DUVA, created by Fitnexa, is introducing DUVA ONE at IFA Berlin 2026. This intelligent in-ear sleep system is designed to sense changes in the user and the bedroom, then personalize audio, noise control, and device behavior throughout the night.

Most sleep wearables explain what happened after users wake up. DUVA ONE is designed to help while the night is still happening. Its low-profile earbuds, environment-sensing charging case, and app work together to determine when and how to respond.

A user might start the night with a podcast over Bluetooth. After they fall asleep, DUVA ONE can introduce locally stored sleep audio and optimize power use. If a partner begins snoring or traffic grows louder, it can adjust ANC or add sound masking. In the morning, a private offline alarm wakes only the wearer, without requiring an active phone connection.

In-ear PPG and motion sensors estimate sleep stages and track heart rate, HRV, sleep position, and movement, while the case monitors noise, light, temperature, and humidity. The AI Agent interprets these signals alongside playback status and personal preferences to select an appropriate response. Users control sleep audio, playback duration, ANC strategy, and nighttime interventions in the DUVA App.

“Sleep does not happen in a static environment, so sleep technology should not remain static either,” said Diego, Founder of Fitnexa. “DUVA ONE is designed to respond while sleep is still happening.”

Key Highlights

Layered noise relief: Passive isolation, Hybrid ANC, and sleep audio provide noise reduction of up to 42 dB, with Transparency Mode and adaptive ANC calibration.Personalized AI sleep guidance: The AI analyzes the user’s real-time sleep state and generates personalized audio guidance to help them gradually fall asleep.Side-sleeping comfort: Each fitted earbud weighs approximately 3.3 grams and has an approximately 9.9 mm low-profile design. Two ear-tip shapes and multiple tip and stabilizing-wing sizes provide more than 40 fit configurations.All-night battery: Up to 16 hours in the most power-efficient configuration, including 13 hours of local audio with ANC off and 9.5 hours with ANC on. The USB-C and wireless charging case provides up to five additional recharges.Private offline alarm: Alarms gradually increase in volume and offer 5, 10, or 15-minute snooze options through the earbud controls.Privacy-first sensing: DUVA ONE does not record conversations, store ambient audio, or upload raw environmental audio. Users can disable individual sensors and delete historical data.

DUVA ONE is planned for release in October 2026 at a target retail price of US$349.99, with target markets including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and Australia.

Media Contact: essie@duva.com
Learn more: duva.com

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SOURCE DUVA

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China Xplained | The China Squeeze, or the China Opportunity?

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GUANGZHOU, China, Sept. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — This is a news report from South: 

Is China’s manufacturing rise squeezing out or creating opportunities for other economies?

Ahead of the 2026 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in China this November, journalists and experts from around the world gathered in Guangdong for the Asia-Pacific Media Forum (APMF) 2026.

The forum opened in Shenzhen on September 5, bringing together more than 400 representatives from across the Asia-Pacific region, as well as from international organizations.

Before the opening of the forum, participants travelled across Guangdong to see China’s industries and development first-hand.

In this episode of China Xplained, we look at the numbers, supply chains, investment and voices from across the developing world—to ask a bigger question: Is China squeezing out room for other economies?

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SOURCE South

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PUDU D7 Named Honoree in IFA Innovation Awards for Best in IFA Next & Emerging Technologies

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BERLIN, Sept. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Pudu Robotics, a global leader in commercial service robotics, today announced that its PUDU D7 Semi-humanoid Intelligent Robot has been named an Honoree in the Best in IFA Next & Emerging Technologies category of the IFA Innovation Awards. The recognition highlights PUDU D7’s ability to combine mobile navigation, dexterous manipulation and intelligent sensing to perform a range of tasks in real-world industrial and commercial environments.

The IFA Innovation Awards recognize outstanding innovations across the global technology landscape. Entries are evaluated by an independent international jury based on criteria including technology and functionality, innovation and originality, and the potential to create tangible value for users and the market. The recognition places PUDU D7 among emerging technologies demonstrating new possibilities for the future of robotics.

From Industrial Operations to Guest Interaction

PUDU D7 is designed for industrial, warehouse, retail and hospitality environments, where it can move through human-oriented spaces and perform tasks that require both mobility and dexterous manipulation.

In industrial and warehouse settings, D7 can handle materials, pick items from shelves, replenish inventory, transport goods between work areas and push carts. With a payload capacity of up to 20 kg (44.1 pounds) and an operating height of up to 2 meters (6.6 feet), it can work with a range of storage systems and materials.

In retail, D7 can support shelf replenishment, item handling and store organization, moving products between storage areas and shelves and helping maintain product displays.

In hotels and hospitality, PUDU D7 can take on the role of an intelligent front-desk host, welcoming guests, preparing and serving coffee, interacting with visitors and providing engaging experiences. Its semi-humanoid form and dual-arm capabilities allow it to combine practical service tasks with natural human-robot interaction, bringing a more personable and engaging presence to the guest experience.

Designed for Adaptable Performance

PUDU D7 combines a dual-arm manipulation system, tactile sensing and a 360-degree perception system to support these applications. Front- and rear-facing LiDAR and other sensors enable navigation around people and obstacles, while tactile sensing provides precise control when handling objects.

The robot also features autonomous battery swapping, allowing it to independently replace its battery and reduce downtime during extended operation.

Together, these capabilities enable D7 to support different tasks across a range of environments without being limited to a single application.

PUDU D7 Makes Its European Debut at IFA

IFA 2026 marks the first time PUDU D7 is being showcased in Europe. At the Pudu Robotics booth, visitors can experience live demonstrations highlighting the robot’s capabilities and its potential for human-robot interaction.

D7 interacts directly with visitors through demonstrations including waving, making heart gestures and picking up objects. These demonstrations showcase the robot’s ability to combine movement, manipulation and interaction in a human-oriented environment.

Advancing the Next Generation of Intelligent Robotics

The IFA Innovation Awards recognition marks another step in Pudu Robotics’ expansion from service delivery, commercial cleaning and industrial delivery into embodied intelligent robotics.

PUDU D7 is part of Pudu Robotics’ broader strategy to develop a portfolio of specialized, semi-humanoid and humanoid robots, building on its capabilities in embodied navigation, manipulation and interaction. This approach enables the company to address a broader range of applications across commercial and industrial environments.

Pudu Robotics will continue working with customers and partners worldwide to explore new applications for embodied intelligence and bring increasingly capable robots into real-world environments.

About Pudu Robotics

Pudu Robotics is a global leader in commercial service robotics and the industry’s first company to offer a full portfolio spanning specialized, semi-humanoid, and humanoid robots. According to Frost & Sullivan’s latest market report, Pudu Robotics ranks No. 1 globally in commercial service robotics by both revenue and shipment volume. Built on its One Brain, Multiple Embodiments architecture, Pudu offers robots for service delivery, commercial cleaning, industrial delivery, and general embodied AI applications across hospitality, retail, healthcare, manufacturing, education, public services, and more. To date, Pudu Robotics has shipped over 130,000 robots to customers across 85+ countries and regions.

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SOURCE Pudu Robotics

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