SINGAPORE, Sept. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Two leading dating services in Asia, Lunch Actually and Paktor have come together in a perfect match, merging to create enriched dating experiences, spark more romantic connections, and support singles in their journey to find love. Both agencies were founded and headquartered in Singapore, with over three decades of combined experience in connecting singles across the region through their respective strengths in online and offline dating services. Paktor has approximately 20 million users regionally while Lunch Actually Group has approximately 1.2 million members regionally.
Both Lunch Actually and Paktor will continue to operate independently, and the holding entity will be known as the Lunch Actually Paktor Group. Leveraging upon the companies' combined dating expertise and strengths, the merger aims to offer singles more opportunities and support them in finding and nurturing lasting, meaningful romantic connections. The merger further demonstrates Lunch Actually's commitment to helping singles forge romantic relationships as it marks its 20th anniversary this year. The integrated entity will extend its operations across six key Asian markets – Singapore, Taiwan region, Hong Kong SAR, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, combining a total of 30 years of industry experience.
Given the increased dating app fatigue faced by users, Lunch Actually and Paktor have spotted a growing need for a holistic suite of integrated online and offline dating services, to boost singles' chances of finding aligned partners. To help singles overcome hurdles, including difficulty in putting themselves out on the dating scene, and desire to meet more eligible, quality singles, the agencies will offer enhanced personalised solutions blending traditional dating wisdom with technology such as relationship coaching. Likewise, existing clients will also benefit from a wider range of services and a larger pool of potential matches, enhancing higher chances of finding the right match.
"We recognise the various pain points singles face in the digital dating scene, and Paktor has always strived to provide a safe platform for singles to connect meaningfully. Our strength lies in connecting people through technology and digital dating experiences. This merger is a timely one, enabling us to complement our online services with a wider range of offline services. We hope to offer singles fun and authentic dating experiences that lead to lasting romantic connections," Alex Tam, Group CEO of Paktor.
"This year marks our 20th anniversary, and we are proud to commemorate it with the merger. Having been in the dating scene for the past two decades, Lunch Actually has matched countless happy couples. While we are proud of our achievements, we recognise that digitalisation is a necessary evolution so that we can continue to meet the needs of singles. The merger is the start of a new chapter for Lunch Actually, Paktor and the local dating scene. Through the perfect match of Lunch Actually and Paktor, we hope to continue playing Cupid for singles in Singapore and across the region," said Violet Lim, CEO of Lunch Actually.
Taking on the role of Group CEO of Lunch Actually Paktor Group, Violet added, "This strategic merger will demonstrate the company's commitment to charting a path towards sustained growth and market leadership in the ever-evolving dating landscape, paving the path for future acquisitions and continuous growth in the regional market. This merger amplifies our capabilities, expands our reach, and enhances our resources, empowering us to touch more lives and craft more love stories across Asia than we ever dreamed possible."
To celebrate their perfect match, Lunch Actually and Paktor will each offer exclusive benefits to their clients, as an additional boost in their journey to find love:
- Singles who sign up in the month of September and October will enjoy a 30% discount on any membership packages.
- All existing active members will receive an additional coaching session.
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A Perfect Match Between Lunch Actually and Paktor
Two-day mission advances partnerships in yacht services, fisheries, and aquaculture, turning overseas outreach into commercial opportunities
SANYA, China, Oct. 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sanya has secured new agreements to advance trade and investment ties with the Maldives following a two-day mission focused on the blue economy, yacht services, fisheries, and aquaculture. A delegation representing the Sanya Municipal Bureau of Commerce, the Sanya Central Business District Administration, the Sanya Investment Promotion Bureau, and the Sanya Tourism Development Bureau visited the Maldives from October 27 to 28, 2026. Drawing on the favorable policies of the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP), the delegation met with local government and business leaders to build commercial partnerships and identify projects for joint development.
The mission followed a visit to Sanya by a Maldivian trade delegation in August and explored how the two economies could turn their complementary industry strengths into business opportunities. On October 27, the Sanya delegation visited Alshaali Marine and Gulf Craft Maldives to discuss trade in yacht components, maintenance and refurbishment, new yacht sales, and duty-free imports — with the goal of establishing a yacht manufacturing and maintenance facility in Sanya. The delegation also met with the Maldives Ministry of Fisheries, Agriculture and Ocean Resources to strengthen links between fishing ports and develop trade routes for tuna, skipjack, and other seafood to be processed in Sanya for export to global markets. Further discussions covered aviation and tourism, tropical fruit and vegetable trade, and green energy.
On October 28, the China-Maldives Investment Cooperation Forum took place in Malé. The Sanya Investment Promotion Bureau delivered a keynote presentation on blue economy partnerships, highlighting how the Hainan FTP's policy advantages and Sanya's industrial base can support new commercial links across the Indian Ocean. At the forum, the Sanya Municipal Bureau of Commerce and the Sanya Investment Promotion Bureau signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on trade and economic cooperation with the Maldives Ministry of Economic Development, Transport and Trade. The MOU sets out a framework for long-term collaboration in trade and investment promotion, fisheries and aquaculture, the blue economy, and business matchmaking, with a focus on encouraging investment in both directions.
On the same day, the Sanya Investment Promotion Bureau and the Sanya Central Business District Administration signed a Strategic Cooperation Framework Agreement with Mariculture Maldives. The partners will collaborate on breeding tropical aquaculture species, develop large-scale marine farming, and open two-way trade channels for fresh seafood. The Maldivian company plans to establish operations in Sanya, using the FTP's favorable policies to expand into the Asia-Pacific market. The delegation also held face-to-face meetings with Island Aviation Services Ltd, which operates the national airline Maldivian, and with Leo Trading to explore further business opportunities.
"Our overseas outreach must deliver real results. It is not enough to reach consensus — we must turn agreements into concrete trade flows and industrial investment," said Tong Liyan, head of the Sanya delegation and Party Secretary of the Sanya Investment Promotion Bureau. She added that Sanya will provide comprehensive support for businesses entering each other's markets, helping local companies expand into Maldivian tourism and fisheries markets and inviting Maldivian businesses to see Sanya's industrial parks, ports, and business environment firsthand. The aim is to turn that interest into new investment and help Maldivian companies establish operations in the city.
Drawing on its distinctive coastal assets and the international reach of the Hainan FTP, Sanya continues to expand its trade and investment ties with Indian Ocean island nations. By connecting marine industries, opening trade routes, and supporting businesses in both markets, the city aims to turn the two economies' maritime strengths into commercial success — making the ocean a bridge to new markets and mutual growth.
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Sanya and Maldives Sign Agreements to Deepen Trade and Investment Ties
