Tencent Cloud Deepens Commitment to Malaysia with New Cloud Region and AI Talent Development Initiatives

• The new Cloud Region will comprise up to three Availability Zones in Johor, connecting Malaysia to Tencent Cloud's global infrastructure network and strengthening service availability, resilience and performance for enterprises in Malaysia.
• Tencent Cloud will also collaborate with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) to equip more than 1,000 digital and AI talents with industry-relevant skills over the coming years.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Aug. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Tencent Cloud, the cloud business of global technology company Tencent, today announced it will establish its first Cloud Region in Malaysia, which will comprise up to three availability zones in Johor. The investment will expand Tencent Cloud's local infrastructure presence, providing enterprises in Malaysia with the secure, resilient foundation needed for AI-powered workflows, data-heavy applications, and the delivery of digital services at scale.

The new Cloud Region in Malaysia will join Tencent Cloud International's global infrastructure network, which currently spans 66 Availability Zones across 23 regions.

"Malaysia remains a key market in Tencent Cloud's growth strategy across Asia," said Bluefin Jiannan Zhao, Vice President of Tencent Cloud and Managing Director of Tencent Cloud International for Asia Pacific. "The new Cloud Region in Malaysia will serve as a critical node within our global infrastructure, enabling enterprises to scale locally, expand regionally, and accelerate their AI-driven innovation. Through this investment, we aim to deepen our support for Malaysia's digital transformation journey and contribute to the continued growth of its AI ecosystem."

The announcement was made at Tencent Cloud C-Suite Dialogue 2026, where Tencent Cloud convened top business and technology leaders to discuss the development and deployment of AI Agent solutions for enterprise use cases.

Supporting practical enterprise AI adoption

Today, with over 50% of Malaysia enterprises adopting AI^[1], considerable opportunities remain to deepen and broaden its use across industries. During the event, Tencent Cloud showcased its latest AI-powered solutions, demonstrating how enterprises can move from AI experimentation to production-ready deployment.

These include Tencent WorkBuddy, an agentic AI workspace solution that turns a single prompt into a ready-to-use deliverable, handling market research, data analysis, project planning, document creation, and more by drawing on over 100 built-in skills.

Also showcased were Tencent Cloud's Agent Development Platform (ADP), which enables enterprises to design, test, and scale custom AI agents for industry-specific use cases with multi-agent collaboration and enterprise-grade security, and TokenHub, a Model-as-a-Service platform that lets enterprises access, manage, and integrate multiple large language models via a single API for greater cost and performance optimization.

Earlier this month, Tencent announced the global availability of Tencent Hy3 (Tencent Hy, formerly known as Tencent Hunyuan), its latest large model which delivers performance comparable to flagship models two to five times its size, while maintaining a practical and cost-efficient profile. Hy3 is available free worldwide through Tencent WorkBuddy until 31 August 2026 (Pacific Time), and can also be accessed via Tencent Cloud TokenHub and Tencent Design Miora, with further integrations planned across Tencent Cloud's AI-native product portfolio.

New collaborations were also announced with Boost and Genting Plantations Group to explore the integration of AI agent solutions with their workflows and service offerings.

This builds on Tencent Cloud's existing partnerships across Malaysia's financial services, telecom, payments, and enterprise sectors. For example, Ryt Bank uses Tencent Cloud Chat to power AI-driven conversational banking for over 1.5 million users, while Aye Solutions and YTL Communications use Tencent Cloud's eKYC solutions for customer verification workflows. Tencent Cloud has also brought its palm-based biometric technology to Malaysia through partners including OpenSys Technologies and SOCOE, and continues to extend its AI capabilities to more enterprises through local ecosystem partners such as Webby Group and Ramssol Group.

"As Malaysian enterprises accelerate their digital transformation, they increasingly want to deploy AI to address real business needs and create measurable value," said Nucky Fang, General Manager of Tencent Cloud International & Tencent Cloud Malaysia. "By combining local cloud infrastructure with Tencent Cloud's AI capabilities and industry expertise, we will be able to work more closely with customers and partners to develop secure, reliable and scalable solutions tailored to their evolving needs."

Developing Malaysia's digital and AI talent pipeline

Tencent Cloud also announced a collaboration with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) to support AI and cloud talent development, industry certification and innovation programmes aimed at training more than 1,000 digital and AI talents in Malaysia. These include an AI and Cloud Innovation Hackathon, a Train-the-Trainer AI and Cloud Programme and the Tencent Cloud Certification Programme to  provide students and educators with practical experience using industry-relevant AI technologies, to prepare them for an increasingly AI-enabled workplace.

"Malaysia's continued progress in AI will depend on our ability to connect academic learning with the skills and tools used by industry," said Professor Ts. Dr. Mohd Shafry bin Mohd Rahim, Vice-Chancellor of UTM. "Through this collaboration, we look forward to giving students and educators more opportunities to build practical capabilities in cloud and AI, while contributing to a stronger national talent pipeline."

The collaboration goes beyond introducing students and educators to AI tools. It aims to equip them with the skills to use Tencent's AI Agent solutions, including WorkBuddy and Tencent Design Miora, to create AI-enabled applications and services that address real-world needs and locally relevant scenarios in Malaysia.

Together, the new Malaysia Cloud Region and Tencent Cloud's collaboration with UTM reflect its broader commitment to supporting Malaysia's AI development, from providing the infrastructure enterprises need to deploy AI securely and at scale to developing the talent required to sustain long-term innovation. Tencent Cloud will continue working with customers, partners and academic institutions to translate advances in cloud and AI into practical value for enterprises and communities across Malaysia.

About Tencent Cloud

Tencent Cloud, one of the world's leading cloud companies, is committed to creating innovative solutions to resolve real-world issues and enabling digital transformation for smart industries. Through our extensive global infrastructure, Tencent Cloud provides businesses across the globe with stable and secure industry-leading cloud products and services, leveraging technological advancements such as cloud computing, Big Data analytics, AI, IoT, and network security. It is our constant mission to meet the needs of industries across the board, including the fields of gaming, media and entertainment, finance, healthcare, property, retail, travel, and transportation.

[1] https://www.uobgroup.com/asean-insights/articles/uob-business-outlook-study-2026-malaysia-h1.page

 

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Aug. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Tencent Cloud, the cloud business of global technology company Tencent, today announced it will establish its first Cloud Region in Malaysia, which will comprise up to three availability zones in Johor. The investment will expand Tencent Cloud's local infrastructure presence, providing enterprises in Malaysia with the secure, resilient foundation needed for AI-powered workflows, data-heavy applications, and the delivery of digital services at scale.

The new Cloud Region in Malaysia will join Tencent Cloud International's global infrastructure network, which currently spans 66 Availability Zones across 23 regions.

"Malaysia remains a key market in Tencent Cloud's growth strategy across Asia," said Bluefin Jiannan Zhao, Vice President of Tencent Cloud and Managing Director of Tencent Cloud International for Asia Pacific. "The new Cloud Region in Malaysia will serve as a critical node within our global infrastructure, enabling enterprises to scale locally, expand regionally, and accelerate their AI-driven innovation. Through this investment, we aim to deepen our support for Malaysia's digital transformation journey and contribute to the continued growth of its AI ecosystem."

The announcement was made at Tencent Cloud C-Suite Dialogue 2026, where Tencent Cloud convened top business and technology leaders to discuss the development and deployment of AI Agent solutions for enterprise use cases.

Supporting practical enterprise AI adoption

Today, with over 50% of Malaysia enterprises adopting AI^[1], considerable opportunities remain to deepen and broaden its use across industries. During the event, Tencent Cloud showcased its latest AI-powered solutions, demonstrating how enterprises can move from AI experimentation to production-ready deployment.

These include Tencent WorkBuddy, an agentic AI workspace solution that turns a single prompt into a ready-to-use deliverable, handling market research, data analysis, project planning, document creation, and more by drawing on over 100 built-in skills.

Also showcased were Tencent Cloud's Agent Development Platform (ADP), which enables enterprises to design, test, and scale custom AI agents for industry-specific use cases with multi-agent collaboration and enterprise-grade security, and TokenHub, a Model-as-a-Service platform that lets enterprises access, manage, and integrate multiple large language models via a single API for greater cost and performance optimization.

Earlier this month, Tencent announced the global availability of Tencent Hy3 (Tencent Hy, formerly known as Tencent Hunyuan), its latest large model which delivers performance comparable to flagship models two to five times its size, while maintaining a practical and cost-efficient profile. Hy3 is available free worldwide through Tencent WorkBuddy until 31 August 2026 (Pacific Time), and can also be accessed via Tencent Cloud TokenHub and Tencent Design Miora, with further integrations planned across Tencent Cloud's AI-native product portfolio.

New collaborations were also announced with Boost and Genting Plantations Group to explore the integration of AI agent solutions with their workflows and service offerings.

This builds on Tencent Cloud's existing partnerships across Malaysia's financial services, telecom, payments, and enterprise sectors. For example, Ryt Bank uses Tencent Cloud Chat to power AI-driven conversational banking for over 1.5 million users, while Aye Solutions and YTL Communications use Tencent Cloud's eKYC solutions for customer verification workflows. Tencent Cloud has also brought its palm-based biometric technology to Malaysia through partners including OpenSys Technologies and SOCOE, and continues to extend its AI capabilities to more enterprises through local ecosystem partners such as Webby Group and Ramssol Group.

"As Malaysian enterprises accelerate their digital transformation, they increasingly want to deploy AI to address real business needs and create measurable value," said Nucky Fang, General Manager of Tencent Cloud International & Tencent Cloud Malaysia. "By combining local cloud infrastructure with Tencent Cloud's AI capabilities and industry expertise, we will be able to work more closely with customers and partners to develop secure, reliable and scalable solutions tailored to their evolving needs."

Developing Malaysia's digital and AI talent pipeline

Tencent Cloud also announced a collaboration with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) to support AI and cloud talent development, industry certification and innovation programmes aimed at training more than 1,000 digital and AI talents in Malaysia. These include an AI and Cloud Innovation Hackathon, a Train-the-Trainer AI and Cloud Programme and the Tencent Cloud Certification Programme to  provide students and educators with practical experience using industry-relevant AI technologies, to prepare them for an increasingly AI-enabled workplace.

"Malaysia's continued progress in AI will depend on our ability to connect academic learning with the skills and tools used by industry," said Professor Ts. Dr. Mohd Shafry bin Mohd Rahim, Vice-Chancellor of UTM. "Through this collaboration, we look forward to giving students and educators more opportunities to build practical capabilities in cloud and AI, while contributing to a stronger national talent pipeline."

The collaboration goes beyond introducing students and educators to AI tools. It aims to equip them with the skills to use Tencent's AI Agent solutions, including WorkBuddy and Tencent Design Miora, to create AI-enabled applications and services that address real-world needs and locally relevant scenarios in Malaysia.

Together, the new Malaysia Cloud Region and Tencent Cloud's collaboration with UTM reflect its broader commitment to supporting Malaysia's AI development, from providing the infrastructure enterprises need to deploy AI securely and at scale to developing the talent required to sustain long-term innovation. Tencent Cloud will continue working with customers, partners and academic institutions to translate advances in cloud and AI into practical value for enterprises and communities across Malaysia.

About Tencent Cloud

Tencent Cloud, one of the world's leading cloud companies, is committed to creating innovative solutions to resolve real-world issues and enabling digital transformation for smart industries. Through our extensive global infrastructure, Tencent Cloud provides businesses across the globe with stable and secure industry-leading cloud products and services, leveraging technological advancements such as cloud computing, Big Data analytics, AI, IoT, and network security. It is our constant mission to meet the needs of industries across the board, including the fields of gaming, media and entertainment, finance, healthcare, property, retail, travel, and transportation.

[1] https://www.uobgroup.com/asean-insights/articles/uob-business-outlook-study-2026-malaysia-h1.page

^[1] https://www.uobgroup.com/asean-insights/articles/uob-business-outlook-study-2026-malaysia-h1.page

 

** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **

Tencent Cloud Deepens Commitment to Malaysia with New Cloud Region and AI Talent Development Initiatives

SHANGHAI, Aug. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) and Conference host Sinoexpo Informa Markets are pleased to announce the Preliminary Conference Programme for the ICOMIA World Marinas Conference 2027 (IWMC2027), taking place in Shanghai, China, from 30 March – 2 April 2027.

Delivering on the Conference theme – "Connecting Globally to Develop Marinas that Enhance Waterfront Communities and Drive Economic Growth", the IWMC2027 will drive a compelling agenda that will attract global thought leaders, industry specialists and pioneers, government representatives, investors, owners and operators from around the world.

As the first ICOMIA World Marinas Conference to be held in Mainland China, IWMC2027 represents a landmark moment for the sector, recognizing the growing influence of the Asia-Pacific region within the global marina and waterfront development industries.

Strategic Gateway: Shanghai Emerges as a New Marina Hub Connecting East and West

ICOMIA's decision to select Shanghai as the host city for IWMC2027 marks a strategic milestone for the organisation, signalling strong recognition of the rapidly growing recreational boating and marina market in Asia – and China in particular. As a global financial centre and an international gateway, Shanghai sits at the heart of the Yangtze River Delta. Its world-class port infrastructure and ongoing waterfront transformations make it an ideal venue to convene global industry leaders and explore the vast potential of the Asia-Pacific marina landscape.

The Conference's strategic pillars – "Global Connectivity, Building Waterfront Communities, Driving Economic Growth" – encapsulates the core mission of this edition's gathering. It underscores that, in an era of deepening international collaboration, marinas have evolved far beyond mere docking points into integrated destinations and waterfront communities that combine tourism, leisure, commerce, and residential living, while playing an increasingly vital role in regional economic development.

Two-Day Main Conference: From Investment Models to AI Frontiers – A Full-Spectrum Industry Scan

The two-day main Conference will bring together global experts to explore a wide range of topics, from macro-level strategy to day-to-day operational excellence.

Preliminary Programme: Highlights at a Glance

DAY 1 – 31 March 2027
Setting the Tone and Vision

The opening day kicks off with a high‑profile formal ceremony, followed by the first session "Unlocking Growth in Asia"  that will offer an in‑depth analysis of the diverse development roadmaps across different regional markets of this dynamic region. Following sessions will draw on global case studies to examine "Master Planning for Marinas" and "Repositioning Existing Facilities" – providing attendees with a complete knowledge framework for both greenfield developments and brownfield transformations.

DAY 2 – 2 April 2027 
Deep Dives and Future Innovation

The second day shifts focus to business fundamentals and forward‑looking trends. Sessions will explore "Marina Business Models and Investor Requirements", assess "Marinas as Economic Drivers", and address "Commercial Performance and Revenue Optimisation" – offering actionable methodologies for sustainable profitability. On the operations front, the Conference features a dedicated "Marina Operations Best Practice Workshop", alongside focused case studies on workforce training and customer experience. The afternoon sessions turn to the future, tackling "Environmental Leadership in Marina Design and Operations" and "Shaping the Future of Marinas Through Innovation, Technology and AI" – examining how the industry can stay ahead in the twin transitions of green sustainability and digital transformation.

Mid-Conference Day – 1 April 2027

Between the two main Conference days, 1 April offers delegates a dedicated day for specialised content and business development, featuring Marine Industry Tours of Shanghai's leading marina facilities and a Commercial Day programme exploring marina business models, investor requirements and revenue optimisation, alongside curated B2B matchmaking opportunities connecting global investors with regional projects.

Pre-Conference Day – 30 March 2027

Ahead of the formal Conference Programme, a dedicated Pre-Conference Day on 30 March 2027, provides early arrivals with a valuable first‑hand introduction to China's boating market and the host city's vibrant waterfront landscape before the formal sessions begin. On offer will be optional morning tours to the China International Boat Show 2027 (CIBS) and a Shanghai city orientation, before an evening Welcome Reception.

A Global Gathering Not to Be Missed

Beyond the substantive Conference sessions, the Programme includes rich networking opportunities, featuring welcome cocktails and a prestigious Gala Dinner with awards presentations – offering global participants ample platforms for exchange and collaboration.

In 2025, the IWMC in Venice brought together over 650 delegates from more than 30 countries, with international participants accounting for at least 50% of attendance.

As ICOMIA's flagship biennial event, IWMC2027 is expected to attract marina owners, operators, investors, designers, and industry leaders from over 30 countries to Shanghai. This is not only a knowledge powerhouse event but also an unrivalled window into the Asia-Pacific market and a prime opportunity to forge critical international connections.

The proposed agenda for the conference days is as follows and is subject to further revisions.

Limited-Time Early Bird Tickets Now Available

The Conference offers a range of ticket options designed to provide flexibility for all attendees. The following early bird rates are available until 30 September 2026:

Ticket Type	Early Bird Rate (Jul – Sep 2026)	Entitlements
Full Pass	€ 550.00	Full conference access, Marina Tour, Welcome Reception, Gala Dinner, conference materials, and daily lunches & coffee breaks
Single-Day Conference Pass	€ 300.00	Access to either day of the conference (31 March or 2 April), including lunch and coffee breaks on the selected day
Tour Only	€ 150.00	Marina & waterfront site tour and commercial networking on 1 April (excludes conferences & Gala Dinner)
Gala Dinner Only	€ 250.00	Access to the official Gala Dinner on 1 April
All prices are inclusive of VAT. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis with a tiered pricing structure. Early registration is highly recommended.

Ticket Type

Early Bird Rate

(Jul – Sep 2026) 

Entitlements

Full Pass

€ 550.00

Full conference access, Marina Tour, Welcome Reception, Gala Dinner,
conference materials, and daily lunches & coffee breaks

Single-Day
Conference Pass  

€ 300.00

Access to either day of the conference (31 March or 2 April), including
lunch and coffee breaks on the selected day

Tour Only

€ 150.00

Marina & waterfront site tour and commercial networking on 1 April
(excludes conferences & Gala Dinner)

Gala Dinner Only 

€ 250.00

Access to the official Gala Dinner on 1 April

All prices are inclusive of VAT. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis with a tiered pricing structure.
Early registration is highly recommended.

Audience Profile

IWMC2027 attracts a highly targeted and influential audience of senior decision-makers from across the global marina and waterfront industry, including:

• Marina owners, operators, and managers
• Waterfront developers and investors
• Government authorities and port authorities
• Marine industry suppliers and service providers
• Architects, engineers, and planners
• Tourism and destination management professionals
• Fleet owners and charter agencies

After September, prices go back to regular price — lock in the early bird rate now!

Click the link to buy tickets instantly: https://urban.expolifestyle.com/en/user/register?utm_source=PRnews&utm_medium=IWMCe&utm_campaign=20260818
Know more: www.worldmarinasconference.com

About ICOMIA

ICOMIA is an international non-profit membership organisation serving the recreational boating industry. ICOMIA works to connect the industry, host groups and committees, provide technical guidance, collect data, statistics and trends, share market intelligence, advise on compliance and safety.

The International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) is the global organisation representing the recreational marine industry through its national member associations and sustaining members. ICOMIA works to advance sustainable growth, innovation, safety and responsible boating worldwide.

About Sinoexpo Informa Markets

Sinoexpo Informa Markets is one of Asia's leading exhibition and conference organisers, delivering internationally recognised events that connect businesses, industries and investment opportunities across key sectors throughout the region.

 

Media Contacts

Sinoexpo Informa Markets
Allen Zhang
Sales Manager
Allen.Zhang@imsinoexpo.com 

ICOMIA
Ben Grigg
Programme Director
ben.grigg@icomia.com 

** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **

Early Bird Tickets Now on Sale | ICOMIA & Sinoexpo Unveil 2027 ICOMIA World Marinas Conference (Shanghai) Preliminary Programme