29/05/2026
Melvin Ong, CEO of Karuna, recently participated as a panel speaker and presenter at the Global Business Impact & Strategic Partnership Gala 2026 in Penang, joining international business leaders, policy makers and investors from Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and the United States 🌎
During the “New Silk Road” panel discussion, Melvin shared insights on how China, the Belt & Road Initiative, and the rise of a multipolar economy are reshaping global trade, technology, and business partnerships, with Malaysia positioned as a strategic bridge between ASEAN and global markets 🏙️⚡
He also presented Karuna’s smart city vision through his keynote, “S.M.A.R.T Smart Cities: Connecting the Dots Between Technology, Sustainability & Governance,” highlighting AI-driven operations, smart mobility, EV charging ecosystems, sustainability-linked governance, and data-driven city management
A key moment for the evening was the official MOU signing between Smart Optimal Solutions (SOS) and Karuna 🤝, marking a collaboration to export Smart City Technology to America, as well as the provision of EV charge operating systems into the United States and African markets together with Swift Bridge Technologies.