SEPTEMBERASIA BUSINESS OUTLOOK8NEWSROOMThe Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with DHL Group Philippines to enhance the worldwide competitiveness of Filipino micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).The alliance, signed on September 10, will extend end-to-end logistics services as well as knowledge-sharing programs designed to make MSMEs export-ready. DHL will provide trade solutions across its business units: DHL Express (international shipping and customs clearance), DHL Global Forwarding (air freight and ocean freight), and DHL Supply Chain (contract logistics and warehousing)."Many challenges our exporters, particularly MSMEs, encounter in going global. This collaboration with DHL provides them with a direct access to knowledge, tools, and network that will enable them to compete overseas." said Bianca Pearl Sykimte, Director of DTI-Export Marketing Bureau.The signing came alongside an information session, Usapang Exports: Export 101 ­ Your Guide to Going Global with DHL Group, at the DHL Ortigas Service Centre in Pasig City. The session provided hands-on guidance on trade and logistics processes.The event also kick-started DHL's GoTrade and SME Capacity Building Program, consisting of training workshops, consultations, and market intelligence sharing.Nigel Lockett, Country Managing Director of DHL Express Philippines, renewed support for domestic enterprises, saying, "Filipino MSMEs possess the creativity, quality, and entrepreneurial drive to succeed abroad. Our end-to-end capabilities are designed to address their changing needs."Sykimte further added, "The future of trade will be digital and sustainable. Supported by DHL's experience, we are able to assist MSMEs in keeping up with DHL's expertise, we can help MSMEs adapt to greener logistics solutions & digital tools". UltraGreen.ai, a Singapore-based leader in fluorescence-guided surgery (FGS) technologies, has secured US$188 million in a funding round led by 65 Equity Partners and Vitruvian Partners, with participation from August Global Partners, valuing the company at US$1.3 billion.The investment will fuel the expansion of UltraGreen.ai's AI-powered surgical imaging platform and broaden its technology portfolio, particularly targeting the Asia-Pacific market.UltraGreen.ai is the world's largest supplier of indocyanine green (ICG), the dye used in over 90 percent of FGS procedures worldwide, giving it a dominant market position. The company's valuation far exceeds the current global FGS systems market size estimated at US$74-124 million in 2023-2025 signaling strong investor confidence in significant future market expansion.Market research projects FGS to grow at a 14 - 16 percent CAGR through 2030­2032, driven by increased adoption of near-infrared fluorescence and multispectral imaging systems.This growth is further supported by rising clinical evidence for FGS benefits, including recent FDA approvals for technologies like pegulicianine that improve detection of residual cancer.By integrating AI-driven surgical intelligence and decision-support tools, UltraGreen.ai is transitioning from a supplier of surgical dyes to a full-fledged data-driven surgical platform provider, positioning itself to capture value as precision surgery becomes standard practice in oncology & other surgical specialties. DTI & DHL TEAM UP TO BOOST MSME EXPORT READINESSULTRAGREEN.AI RAISES $188M AT $1.3B VALUATION· DTI and DHL Group signed an MOU on September 10 to provide end-to-end logistics support and export readiness training for Filipino MSMEs· The partnership includes DHL's Express, Global Forwarding, and Supply Chain units to assist MSMEs with international shipping, customs, freight, and warehousing· The launch event featured an info session, "Usapang Exports: Export 101," and marked the beginning of DHL's GoTrade and SME Capacity Building Program· UltraGreen.ai raises $188M at $1.3B valuation to scale globally· Supplies ICG dye used in 90 percent of fluorescence-guided surgeries· Expanding into AI-driven surgical intelligence and decision support
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