Local entity, in-country hosting and Arabic-language AI with SESTEK position the Group for public-sector tenders across the GCC
- Through its newly established subsidiary, Toku Technology L.L.C., Toku can now contract, invoice, hire and pursue government and semi-government tenders directly in the UAE and across the GCC
- SESTEK, the Company's first strategic technology partner in the region, brings native Gulf-dialect speech capability which, combined with Toku's locally hosted deployment options, addresses the language and data-residency requirements of banks, government bodies and telecommunications operators
- Talabat, one of the region's leading on-demand delivery platforms and Toku's first customer in the Middle East, is live across all eight of its markets, with more than 8,000 users on the platform, providing early commercial validation of regional demand
SINGAPORE, Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Toku Ltd (SGX: TKU) ("Toku" or the "Company", and together with its subsidiaries, the "Group"), a Singapore-incorporated AI-powered customer experience (CX) platform, today announced the incorporation of Toku Technology L.L.C., its first in-country entity in the Middle East, marking the next phase of a regional expansion that began in December 2025. The wholly owned subsidiary anchors a footprint that has grown from two to eight markets since then, and a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in June 2026 with SESTEK, a conversational AI provider specialising in Arabic-language solutions.
Toku Technology L.L.C. was incorporated on 24 August 2026 as the Group's in-country operating entity for the Middle East. The subsidiary allows Toku to contract, invoice and receive payment locally, giving enterprise buyers across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) a straightforward way to procure directly from a partner on the ground. It also allows the Group to hire and sponsor local talent and to participate in government and semi-government tenders in the UAE and the wider GCC, where procurement increasingly favours locally incorporated providers able to combine regulatory compliance with in-country infrastructure. The Group is currently participating in a number of tenders in the region, working alongside a regional partner.
Thomas Laboulle, Founder and CEO of Toku, said: "The Middle East has developed ahead of our expectations since our first deployments there last year. The regional disruption earlier this year has durably changed how governments and enterprises assess cloud concentration and data residency, and demand for customer engagement platforms that can run on locally hosted, sovereign or hybrid infrastructure has increased markedly. Our UAE subsidiary gives that demand a local foundation: it lets us contract, invoice, and hire in-country, brings us closer to our customers and partners, and positions Toku to participate fully in the region's digital transformation. Our partnership with SESTEK follows the principle of composability that runs through our platform: specialist Arabic-language models run behind Toku's orchestration layer, so organisations across the GCC get the accuracy they need without compromising on the deployment and data requirements that matter most to them."
SESTEK: First Strategic Technology Partner in the Region
The Group signed a MOU with SESTEK in June 2026, which was disclosed alongside the Group's 1H2026 results in July 2026. The MOU sets out a framework for SESTEK's Agentic CX Suite to be integrated into Toku's offering, adding Arabic-language conversational AI to the Group's capabilities. Integration work between the two product teams is under way. The partnership will initially focus on opportunities across the Middle East and the GCC, with the potential to expand to additional regions over time by mutual agreement.
"Toku's entry into the Middle East reflects exactly the kind of ambition this market rewards: combining serious communications infrastructure with a genuine commitment to local relevance. Language is where most voice-AI deployments succeed or fail in this region, and our two decades of work in Arabic, Turkish and multilingual speech technology are built for precisely the dialect diversity and code-switching that GCC organisations deal with every day. We see strong complementarity between SESTEK's Agentic CX Suite and Toku's customer experience capabilities, and we look forward to bringing that combination to banks, telecom operators and government bodies across the region as the partnership develops," Ahmet Subaşı, Managing Director, MEAPAC, SESTEK.
The collaboration addresses a practical challenge facing GCC organisations as they seek to move AI from experimentation to wider deployment. According to a 2025 survey by McKinsey, the level of AI adoption had risen from 62 percent in 2023 to 84 percent in 2025. However, only 31 percent reported their organisations had scaled or fully deployed AI across its operations.
For banks, telecommunications operators and government agencies deploying voice AI in customer service, accuracy in everyday speech is decisive. Spoken Arabic varies considerably across regional dialects, and conversations frequently switch between Arabic and other languages; when interactions are misunderstood, more calls require human intervention and the service and efficiency gains needed to scale voice AI remains out of reach. SESTEK's speech recognition and text-to-speech technologies are built for this environment, supporting Gulf Arabic variants including Najdi, Kuwaiti and Emirati speech as well as multilingual code-switching involving Arabic, English, French and Urdu. Combined with Toku's communications infrastructure and customer experience platform, these capabilities allow the two companies to deliver voice-AI solutions that are locally relevant for the diverse communities the region's organisations serve.
Toku and SESTEK have begun collaborating on active tenders and opportunities in the region, with an initial focus on the UAE. Together with the new local entity, the partnership gives the Group both the on-the-ground presence and the language capability to compete for enterprise and government contracts across the GCC, with further regional expansion under consideration as the partnership matures.
Talabat: Early Commercial Validation Across Eight Markets
Talabat, one of the region's leading on-demand delivery platforms, is Toku's first customer in the Middle East, providing early commercial validation of the Group's regional expansion. Toku's platform is now live across all eight markets in which Talabat operates, namely Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the UAE, supporting more than 8,000 users across in-house and business process outsourcing (BPO) teams for inbound and outbound service.
Toku's contact centre is integrated with Talabat's various Customer Relationship Management (CRM) environments, and manages differing regulatory, infrastructure, and language requirements in each market. Following the introduction of voice alongside chat, Talabat's customer satisfaction (CSAT) rose to approximately 80 percent, a measured uplift of more than 20 percent across the deployment.
The Talabat deployment extends Toku's track record of supporting multi-market on-demand delivery platforms. It follows go-lives with PedidosYa in Latin America and Glovo in Europe, demonstrating the Group's ability to deploy its platform across complex and geographically diverse environments, drawing on the same operating model first proven in Asia Pacific.
With Talabat live, a local subsidiary in place and SESTEK as its first strategic technology partner, Toku now has the customer validation, on-the-ground presence and localised technology capabilities to build further momentum across the Middle East.
Toku will showcase its platform at the Customer Experience Live Show Middle East in Dubai on 30 September and 01 October 2026, where Thomas Laboulle will deliver a keynote address.
– END –
About Toku
Headquartered in Singapore, Toku Ltd. (SGX Catalist: TKU) is a cloud-native, AI-powered customer experience platform purpose-built for enterprises operating in complex, multi-market environments. With deep roots in the APAC region and an expanding global footprint, Toku's modular 360° CX Platform orchestrates customer interactions across voice, chat, email and digital channels while managing regulatory, linguistic and infrastructure complexity at scale. Built on end-to-end ownership of its technology stack, from carrier-grade connectivity to AI applications, Toku delivers enterprise-grade security, reliability and deployment flexibility across commercial cloud, private data centres and hybrid environments. Its AI capabilities include transcription, summarisation, sentiment analysis, conversation analytics and governed virtual agents, designed to integrate seamlessly with enterprise systems and customer data. Trusted by leading enterprises and public-sector organisations, Toku helps organisations streamline operations, scale customer engagement and deliver consistent experiences in fragmented markets worldwide.
For more information about Toku, visit toku.co
About SESTEK
SESTEK is a global solution vendor working on AI-powered products for automation and digitalization of customer experience. Since 2000, SESTEK has been focusing on AI-powered solutions for contact centers, helping over 700 enterprise clients in 20 countries, operating mainly in banking, insurance, telecom, retail and BPO verticals. With offices in the US, UAE, and two R&D centers in Türkiye, SESTEK employs a multidisciplinary team of over 100+ engineers working on conversational AI solutions for self-service and optimization tools for contact centers.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding Toku's expansion plans and business strategy. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Toku undertakes no obligation to update these statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
Sponsor's Statement
Toku Ltd. (the "Company") was listed on Catalist of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (the "Exchange") on 22 January 2026. The initial public offering of the Company was sponsored by PrimePartners Corporate Finance Pte. Ltd. (the "Sponsor"). This press release has been reviewed by the Sponsor. It has not been examined or approved by the Exchange and the Exchange assumes no responsibility for the contents of this press release, including the correctness of any of the statements or opinions made or reports contained in this press release. The contact person for the Sponsor is Ms. Ng Shi Qing, 16 Collyer Quay, #10-00 Collyer Quay Centre, Singapore 049318, sponsorship@ppcf.com.sg
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Toku's Middle East Expansion Runs Ahead of Plan: Talabat Live Across Eight Markets and UAE Subsidiary Incorporated
Uniting People and Nature Along Hong Kong Trail's Ecological Corridor
New 10km Route Connects The Peak to Aberdeen Country Park P.H.A.B. Site
HONG KONG, Oct. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Organised by Green Power and with AXA Hong Kong and Macau serving as the title sponsor for the fourth consecutive year, the 34th Green Power Hike — the magnificent annual charity hiking event — will take place on 30 January 2027 (Saturday). Public registration opens on 8 October 2026 with a quota of 3,000 spots available on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants who successfully register on or before 15 November 2026 can enjoy an early bird discount. Members of the public, school teams and corporate teams are cordially invited to step onto the Hong Kong Trail, experience the rewards of hiking in nature, and help raise funds for its environmental education and ecological conservation initiatives.
This Year's Theme, "Together for Nature": Reconnecting with the Natural World and the Living Things Around Us
This year's Green Power Hike is themed "Together for Nature", celebrating the idea that every person who steps onto the Hong Kong Trail is not simply a visitor to nature, but part of it. From the birds gliding through the woodland canopy to the grass beneath our feet, every step of the journey is shared with the countless forms of life that call the trail home. At the heart of "Together for Nature", is the belief that the boundaries between people and nature need not exist. By approaching the natural world with respect and a willingness to listen, participants are encouraged to build a deeper connection with nature and the broader living ecosystem.
Dr Cheng Luk Ki, Director of Green Power, said, "With this year's theme, 'Together for Nature', we hope to inspire the public to rethink the relationship between people and nature. The Hong Kong Trail is not only a popular hiking destination, but also an important habitat for countless local wildlife species. We encourage every hiker, while testing their physical endurance, to step into the mountains and forests with respect, take time to listen to and experience nature, and integrate the "Leave No Trace" philosophy into their daily lives to help safeguard our local biodiversity."
Sally Wan, Chief Executive Officer, AXA Greater China and AXA Global Private, said, "AXA is honoured to serve as the title sponsor of the Green Power Hike for the fourth consecutive year and to join hands with Green Power in promoting nature conservation and sustainable development. This year's theme, 'Together for Nature', closely aligns with AXA's sustainability focus. Protecting nature is an important pillar of our sustainability strategy, and the Green Power Hike provides an ideal opportunity for people across the community to connect with nature, deepen their awareness of biodiversity and translate conservation commitment into everyday action. We firmly believe that protecting the environment is both a corporate responsibility and an important commitment to the next generation. We will continue to mobilise wider support for environmental protection and work together towards a greener, more liveable and sustainable future for Hong Kong and generations to come."
A Brand-New 10km Route Unveiled: Discover the Unique Harmony of People, City, and Nature
This year introduces a brand-new 10km route, offering participants a unique opportunity to experience the close connection between people, the city and nature. Starting at The Peak, the highest point along the Hong Kong Trail, participants can enjoy sweeping views of Hong Kong's iconic skyline and harbour. The route descends towards Pok Fu Lam Reservoir — Hong Kong's first reservoir — where participants can take in both its rich heritage and surroundings. Upon entering Section 2 of the Hong Kong Trail, participants will be rewarded with panoramic views of Aberdeen, the East Lamma Channel and Lamma Island. One stretch of the route passes remarkably close to residential neighbourhoods, vividly showcasing Hong Kong's distinctive landscape where the city and nature exist side by side. The trail then winds through the tranquil Wild Ginger Creek before reaching the finish point at the Aberdeen Country Park P.H.A.B. Site. From bustling city vistas and historic reservoir scenery to peaceful woodland valleys, the new route offers an immersive journey through Hong Kong's unique natural and urban landscapes, allowing participants to experience first-hand the close interconnection between people, the city and nature.
Individual, Team, Green Team, Corporate Cups and School Cup
The Green Power Hike features Individual (Male/ Female), Green Team, and Team categories, with participants able to choose from the Full Course (50km), Half Course (25km), and the 10km (New route). The race also includes the School Cup and Corporate Cups. Participants can select the distance that best suits their experience and physical stamina and join the event upon meeting the relevant minimum donation requirement. Every participant will receive a Green Power Hike Waterproof Bag and a "Green Power Hike x T8 Commemorative Tee". Those who complete the hike within the designated time limit will be awarded electronic certificates and finisher medals. Trophies will be presented to the champions, first and second runners-up in each category. Both the 50km Full Course and 25km Half Course are recognised as qualifying events for the UTMB® Index (20KM / 50KM) and the ITRA National League (ITRA 1 / ITRA 2). Please note that the age restrictions and participation fees for the "School Cup" have been adjusted for this edition.
Furthermore, this year's race has garnered enthusiastic support from trail runners, including Hong Kong-based Japanese elite athlete Keisuke Suzuki, who will hit the Hong Kong Trail once again to run alongside fellow hiking enthusiasts and champion the green hiking philosophy. All funds raised from the event will be fully allocated to Green Power's environmental education and ecological conservation initiatives, aiming to elevate public awareness of various green issues, mobilise collective action in ecological preservation, and inspire practical actions to address environmental challenges.
Green Power Hike x T8 Commemorative Tee
Every participant will receive a "Green Power Hike x T8 Commemorative Tee". The design concept of this year's commemorative tee is uniquely inspired by the theme "Together for Nature", beautifully blending the mountain peaks of the Hong Kong Trail with local forest wildlife (such as the Black Kite, Barking Deer, and Masked Palm Civet) to manifest the conservation spirit of breaking down boundaries and walking hand in hand with all living things.
Add-on Gear: Green Power Hike x T8 Shorts (includes limited-edition Green Power Hike x T8 Breathable Socks) and Commandos Running Underwear
Participants may also purchase a range of exclusive event merchandise, including the "Green Power Hike x T8 Shorts" (which come with a complimentary pair of limited-edition Green Power Hike x T8 Breathable Socks), as well as commandos running underwear for added comfort during the hike.
"The 34th Green Power Hike" Enrolment Details
Individual/team routes and race rules
- Date: 30 January 2027 (Saturday)
- Distance: 10km / 25km (half) / 50km (full)
Routes (Time limit):
- 10km (New route): The Peak → Aberdeen Country P.H.A.B. Site (4 hours)
- 25km: Tai Tam Country Park No.2 BBQ Park → Big Wave Bay (8 hours)
- 50km: The Peak → Big Wave Bay (13 hours)
| "The 34th Green Power Hike" Event Details |
| Enrolment Date | 8 October to 31 December 2026 |
| Event Date | 30 January 2027 |
| Details and
Enrolment | https://hike.greenpower.org.hk/eng/home |
| Enquiry | (Green Power) Tel：3961 0200 / Email：hike@greenpower.org.hk |
| Venue | Hong Kong Trail |
| Category | Individual / Team / Green Team / School Cup / Corporate Cups |
| Souvenirs | Each participant will receive a Green Power Hike Waterproof Bag and a Green
Power Hike x T8 commemorative Tee |
| Awards | Participants who complete the race within the designated time limits will
receive electronic certificates and finisher medals. Trophies will be presented
to the champions, as well as the first and second runners-up in each category. |
| Individuals / Teams / Green Teams |
| Categories | Number | Age Restrictions | Distance |
| Male / Female | 1 person | Aged 18 or above | 10 km/ 25 km*/ 50 km* |
| Green Team | 2-4 persons per
team | At least 1 member aged under 18 and 1
member aged 18 or above |
| Team | 3 or 4 persons per
team | Aged 18 or above |
| School Cup |
| Categories | Number | Age Restrictions | Distance |
| School Cup | 3 or 4 persons per
team | Full-time secondary school students aged 12
or above Each team may include up to 1 teacher as a
team member *If a team includes any students aged
between 12 and 14, the team must include at
least one student or teacher aged 18 or
above. | 10 km/ 25 km*/ |
"The 34th Green Power Hike" Event Details
Enrolment Date
8 October to 31 December 2026
Event Date
30 January 2027
Details and
Enrolment
https://hike.greenpower.org.hk/eng/home
Enquiry
(Green Power) Tel：3961 0200 / Email：hike@greenpower.org.hk
Venue
Hong Kong Trail
Category
Individual / Team / Green Team / School Cup / Corporate Cups
Souvenirs
Each participant will receive a Green Power Hike Waterproof Bag and a Green
Power Hike x T8 commemorative Tee
Awards
Participants who complete the race within the designated time limits will
receive electronic certificates and finisher medals. Trophies will be presented
to the champions, as well as the first and second runners-up in each category.
Individuals / Teams / Green Teams
Categories
Number
Age Restrictions
Distance
Male / Female
1 person
Aged 18 or above
10 km/
25 km*/
50 km*
Green Team
2-4 persons per
team
At least 1 member aged under 18 and 1
member aged 18 or above
Team
3 or 4 persons per
team
Aged 18 or above
School Cup
Categories
Number
Age Restrictions
Distance
School Cup
3 or 4 persons per
team
Full-time secondary school students aged 12
or above
Each team may include up to 1 teacher as a
team member
*If a team includes any students aged
between 12 and 14, the team must include at
least one student or teacher aged 18 or
above.
10 km/
25 km*/
| Fundraising Details |
| Categories | 50km & 25km | 10km |
| Registration fee | Minimum Donation | Registration fee | Minimum Donation |
| Male / Female | HK$300 per person | HK$900 per person | HK$200 per person | HK$600 per person |
| Team |
| Green Team | HK$700 per team | HK$2,100 per team | HK$400 per team | HK$1,400 per team |
| School Cup | HK$2,000 per team | HK$1,600 per team |
| Early Bird Discount: Register by 15 November 2026, you can enjoy a registration fee discount. - Male/Female/Team: HK$100 off per person
- Green Team/School Cup: HK$200 off per team
|
Fundraising Details
Categories
50km & 25km
10km
Registration fee
Minimum Donation
Registration fee
Minimum Donation
Male / Female
HK$300 per person
HK$900 per person
HK$200 per person
HK$600 per person
Team
Green Team
HK$700 per team
HK$2,100 per team
HK$400 per team
HK$1,400 per team
School Cup
HK$2,000 per team
HK$1,600 per team
Early Bird Discount:
Register by 15 November 2026, you can enjoy a registration fee discount.
- Male/Female/Team: HK$100 off per person
- Green Team/School Cup: HK$200 off per team
| Corporate Cups |
| Cups | Number | Distance |
| Aviation & Airport Services Cup | - 3 or 4 persons per team
- All team members must be aged 18 or above
- Each team must have at least
1 member from the company
/ organisation | 10 km/ 25 km/ 50 km |
| Bank Cup |
| Corporation / Organisation Cup |
| HKFI Cup |
| Medical Services Cup |
| Property Management Cup |
| Donation Details |
- Minimum Donation: HK$12,000 / Team
- There is no limit to the number of participating teams from each company / organisation.
|
| Special Awards |
- Supreme Green Award: The company or organisation with the highest fundraising amount
- Outstanding Green Award: All companies or organisations that have raised more than HK$24,000
- Green Merit Award: All companies or organisations with a fundraising amount of HK$12,000 -
HK$23,999 *All the winning companies or organisations of the above awards will be acknowledged in newspapers and
websites after the event |
Corporate Cups
Cups
Number
Distance
Aviation & Airport Services Cup
- 3 or 4 persons per team
- All team members must be aged 18 or above
- Each team must have at least
1 member from the company
/ organisation
10 km/
25 km/
50 km
Bank Cup
Corporation / Organisation Cup
HKFI Cup
Medical Services Cup
Property Management Cup
Donation Details
- Minimum Donation: HK$12,000 / Team
- There is no limit to the number of participating teams from each company / organisation.
Special Awards
- Supreme Green Award: The company or organisation with the highest fundraising amount
- Outstanding Green Award: All companies or organisations that have raised more than HK$24,000
- Green Merit Award: All companies or organisations with a fundraising amount of HK$12,000 -
HK$23,999
*All the winning companies or organisations of the above awards will be acknowledged in newspapers and
websites after the event
| "Litter Collection" and "Leave-No-Trace" Initiative |
| "Green Power Hike x Litter Collection" |
| Participants of all categories are eligible to take part in the "Leave-No-Trace" and "Litter Collection"
initiatives during the event. They are encouraged to collect litter along the trail and bring it to the finish
point for proper sorting and recycling, helping to protect the natural environment. |
| Completion Reward |
| "Leave-No-Trace" Equipment |
"Litter Collection" and "Leave-No-Trace" Initiative
"Green Power Hike x Litter Collection"
Participants of all categories are eligible to take part in the "Leave-No-Trace" and "Litter Collection"
initiatives during the event. They are encouraged to collect litter along the trail and bring it to the finish
point for proper sorting and recycling, helping to protect the natural environment.
Completion Reward
"Leave-No-Trace" Equipment
About Green Power
Green Power was founded in 1988 by a group of dedicated Hong Kong volunteers who care about the local environment. Since then, we have remained committed to promoting environmental education as we believe that education is key to changing the way we think and behave.
Green Power has been honoured with The 2nd China Environmental Prize presented by the China Environmental Protection Foundation. This award is the highest social recognition in the field of ecological and environmental protection in China, which recognises our relentless efforts in environmental education. Our three key focuses are: ecological conservation, school and community outreach, and policy advocacy.
Website: https://hike.greenpower.org.hk/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greenpowerhike
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greenpowerhike
| Suggested hashtag: @greenpowerhike #由森出發 #TogetherForNature #綠色力量環島行2027 #130港島徑見 #第三十四屆綠色力量環島行 |
Suggested hashtag: @greenpowerhike #由森出發 #TogetherForNature #綠色力量環島行2027 #130港島徑見 #第三十四屆綠色力量環島行
About AXA Hong Kong and Macau
AXA Hong Kong and Macau is a member of the AXA Group, a leading global insurer with presence in 52 markets and serving 92 million customers worldwide. Our purpose is to act for human progress by protecting what matters.
As one of the most diversified insurers in Hong Kong, we offer integrated solutions across Life, Health and General Insurance. We are the largest General Insurance provider and a major Health and Employee Benefits provider. Our aim is to not only be the insurer to provide comprehensive protection to our customers, but also a holistic partner to the individuals, businesses and community we serve. At the core of our service commitment is continuous product & service innovation and customer experience enrichment, which is achieved through actively listening to our customers' needs and leveraging and investing in technology and digital transformation.
We embrace our responsibility to be a driving force against climate change and a force for good to create shared value for our community. Our overall Sustainability Strategy, with emphasis on nature protection, inclusive protection and social resilience, provides a foundation for integrating environmental, social and governance considerations across our business. We are proud to be the first insurer to address the importance of mental health through different products and services and thought-leading iconic research. Committed to shaping a sustainable future, we contribute in diverse ways through three distinct roles - as an investor, an insurer and an exemplary company.
THIS PRESS RELEASE IS AVAILABLE ON AXA'S WEBSITE: AXA.COM.HK
For more high-resolution images and supplementary data, please refer to the following link to download: https://tinyurl.com/GreenPowerHike2027-photos
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Together for Nature: Registration for the 34th Green Power Hike Opens on 8 October
