Industry News

Trip.Biz, the business travel management arm of Trip.com Group, has launched Trip.Biz ONE, a comprehensive solution designed to transform how organisations manage business travel. Announced at the Trip.Biz Transform 2025 conference in Singapore, the platform aims to address common challenges such as booking leakages, policy non-compliance, and inefficient reconciliation processes.

Trip.Biz ONE consolidates bookings, ensuring adherence to travel policies whilst integrating artificial intelligence and business intelligence features. This all-in-one platform is set to make business travel management more efficient for companies by providing a seamless experience.

The launch comes as companies increasingly seek solutions to streamline travel management and reduce costs. By offering a single platform for all travel-related activities, Trip.Biz ONE aims to eliminate off-platform bookings and overspending, which are common issues faced by corporates.

Trip.Biz ONE’s introduction reflects the growing demand for digital solutions in the corporate travel sector. As businesses continue to navigate the complexities of travel management, platforms like Trip.Biz ONE could play a crucial role in enhancing efficiency and compliance.

The future implications of Trip.Biz ONE could see a shift in how businesses approach travel management, potentially setting a new standard in the industry.

Global apparel retailer UNIQLO has announced the grand reopening of its Orchard Central Global Flagship Store on 26 September. The revamped store promises an enhanced shopping experience, featuring improved layouts, intuitive product discovery, and upgraded fitting rooms. The reopening also highlights UNIQLO’s dedication to the local community with a specially curated City Guide showcasing homegrown brands and a Singapore-inspired Mickey Mouse collection.

The store, first opened in March 2016, has been redesigned to offer a seamless, customer-focused shopping journey. Key changes include an expanded façade for better visibility of the latest LifeWear collection and aligning women’s and children’s categories for convenience. Joey Tong, Director of Store Development, noted, “We reimagined the store experience by anticipating the needs of our customers.”

In celebration of local culture, UNIQLO has partnered with twelve homegrown brands to create a City Guide, encouraging customers to explore local businesses. The store will also feature a MAGIC FOR ALL Collection with Mickey Mouse designs inspired by Singapore landmarks.

Opening weekend festivities from 26 to 28 September include traditional Japanese Taiko drum performances and exclusive offers for APP members. Customers can redeem items such as a free bake from Kamome Bakery and a UNIQLO Mickey Singapore Flower Bouquet with qualifying purchases. Additionally, spending S$100 in-store grants access to further rewards, including a tote bag and a $10 voucher for DBS or POSB cardholders.

The UNIQLO Orchard Central Global Flagship Store is located at 181 Orchard Road, Singapore, and will reopen at 10am on 26 September.

Canon has unveiled Tungsten TotalAgility, an advanced intelligent automation platform, as part of its digital transformation offerings for businesses across Asia. This platform, developed by Tungsten Automation, integrates artificial intelligence (AI) with robust document processing to streamline operations and enhance productivity. The launch aligns with the growing demand for intelligent automation, with the Asia-Pacific Intelligent Document Processing market expected to reach $10.57b by 2035.

Fukui Shinsuke, Senior Director of Regional Business Imaging Solutions at Canon Singapore, stated, “The introduction of Tungsten TotalAgility marks a pivotal addition to Canon’s suite of offerings, as we redefine intelligent automation and empower businesses to navigate the new frontier of efficiency.”

Tungsten TotalAgility is a plug-and-play solution that combines Intelligent Document Processing, Knowledge Discovery, and Process Orchestration. It transforms source information into actionable insights, automating processes to improve efficiency. Key features include advanced AI capabilities, a user-friendly low-code interface, robust security, and seamless integration with existing systems like SAP and Oracle.

The platform is applicable across various industries, including manufacturing, logistics, and finance. In logistics, for example, it can reduce lead times for tracking updates by up to 80%, freeing resources for more critical tasks.

Available from Q3 2025 in Singapore and India, with plans to expand across Asia, Tungsten TotalAgility promises seamless integration and localised support for businesses embarking on their automation journey.

The Singapore government has announced the extension of the 4% interest rate floor on Central Provident Fund (CPF) Special, MediSave, and Retirement Accounts until 31 December 2026. This decision aims to provide continued financial stability and assurance to CPF members amidst fluctuating economic conditions.

The extension of the interest rate floor is significant as it ensures that CPF members will continue to earn a minimum of 4% interest on their savings in these accounts. This move is designed to help Singaporeans better plan for their healthcare and retirement needs by providing a stable and predictable return on their savings.

The CPF Board stated, “The extension of the 4% interest rate floor will provide CPF members with greater certainty and assurance in their financial planning.” This measure is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to support Singaporeans in building a secure financial future.

By maintaining the interest rate floor, the government aims to mitigate the impact of potential interest rate fluctuations in the broader financial markets. This decision reflects the government’s commitment to safeguarding the financial well-being of its citizens, particularly in times of economic uncertainty.

The extension of the interest rate floor is expected to benefit a wide range of CPF members, ensuring that their savings continue to grow at a steady rate. This initiative underscores the importance of the CPF system in supporting Singaporeans’ long-term financial security.

Global analytics leader FICO has unveiled findings from a recent survey of senior banking leaders across Asia Pacific, highlighting significant challenges in achieving hyper-personalisation. Despite 88% of banks employing predictive analytics to anticipate customer needs, a mere 11% rate their strategies as highly advanced, underscoring a struggle to convert data into actionable insights.

The survey, conducted during FICO’s Platform Experience event in Singapore, involved over 30 senior executives and C-suite leaders. It revealed that 72% of banks have siloed or partially integrated customer communication channels, hindering seamless engagement. Additionally, 50% of respondents admitted that no more than half of their customer-facing decisions, such as credit approvals and fraud alerts, are automated.

Dattu Kompella, managing director in Asia Pacific for FICO, noted, “Consumers now expect the same level of personalisation from their banks as they do from Netflix and Amazon. With most banks still struggling to meet these expectations, those that succeed will gain a decisive edge in a market where customer experience is the ultimate differentiator.”

The survey also highlighted that whilst 43% of banks significantly leverage real-time data for customer insights, most remain at minimal or moderate adoption levels. Only 37% reported extensive use of predictive analytics, indicating limited maturity despite broad adoption.

To bridge this gap, banks are encouraged to unify data and decision-making processes across the customer lifecycle. Kompella added, “By consolidating activities, behaviours, and preferences into a single decisioning platform, banks can act on insights in real-time, driving deeper engagement and loyalty.”

The findings emphasise the urgent need for banks to enhance their personalisation efforts to remain competitive in an increasingly customer-centric market.

Lion Group, encompassing Batik Air Indonesia, Batik Air Malaysia, and Thai Lion Air, is set to bolster its presence at Singapore’s Changi Airport by relocating to Terminal 4 from November 2025. This strategic move will support the airline’s expansion plans, including new flights to Ipoh, Penang, and Subang, starting December 2025. Currently, Lion Group operates 88 weekly services connecting Singapore to five cities across Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.

The relocation to Terminal 4, which can handle up to 16 million passenger movements annually, aims to accommodate Lion Group’s growth and rising air travel demand in the region. The terminal offers a high degree of automation and a variety of retail and dining options, enhancing the passenger experience. Changi Airport Group (CAG) is collaborating with Lion Group to integrate its airlines into FAST, a suite of automated self-service options.

Changi Airport Group’s Executive Vice President, Lim Ching Kiat, expressed enthusiasm for the new services, stating, “With this, services from Singapore to Malaysia will reach over 460 weekly departing flights, entrenching Malaysia’s position as one of Changi’s top markets.”

Lion Group’s President Director, Capt. Daniel Putut, highlighted the benefits of the move, saying, “This move enables Batik Air to better connect Indonesia and Singapore, two important gateways in the region.”

The expansion aligns with Lion Group’s long-term vision to grow alongside customer needs, offering more routes and strengthening regional connectivity. The new routes will also support the lead-up to Visit Malaysia Year 2026, providing seamless onward connections via Kuala Lumpur to over 63 destinations across 20 countries.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has awarded the Tampines bus package to The Go-Ahead Group (GAS), marking a significant shift in Singapore’s public transport landscape. The contract, worth $646m, will see GAS take over operations from SBS Transit Ltd, starting 5 July 2026. This transition will involve managing 27 routes from the new East Coast Integrated Depot and several key interchanges and terminals.

The tender process, initiated on 19 December 2024, utilised a two-envelope evaluation method, prioritising quality before price to ensure value for money. GAS’s proposal excelled due to its focus on electric bus operations and maintenance, leveraging its experience from operating London’s largest electric bus fleet. The proposal promises cost savings and includes initiatives to enhance industry capabilities in electric bus deployment.

Key initiatives by GAS include collaborating with the Singapore Bus Academy to establish a satellite centre for electric bus expertise and deploying AI-driven tools to improve service reliability by reducing bus bunching. Additionally, commuter-friendly features like ‘Caring Corners’ and ‘Baby on board’ badges will be introduced, alongside enhanced staff welfare programmes.

Current employees of SBS Transit will be protected under the Public Transport Tripartite Committee’s guidelines, ensuring no worse-off employment terms with GAS. Employees have the option to join GAS or be redeployed by their current employer. This transition aims to support Singapore’s shift towards a cleaner energy public bus fleet whilst maintaining competitive remuneration for the workforce.

Mondelēz International has appointed Abhiroop Chuckarbutty as President of its Southeast Asia Business Unit, effective 1 September 2025. Chuckarbutty, who succeeds Hemant Rupani, will focus on accelerating growth and enhancing the company’s presence in Southeast Asia, a key market for Mondelēz. With over 20 years of experience in consumer packaged goods, Chuckarbutty previously led the Sub-Saharan Africa Business Unit, where he developed a strategic roadmap that boosted business performance.

Chuckarbutty expressed his enthusiasm for the role, stating, “Southeast Asia’s diversity and dynamism are unmatched. I am thankful for the trust placed in me, and for Hemant’s legacy.” He aims to collaborate with Mondelēz’s teams to strengthen brand connections with consumers and drive sustainable progress.

The appointment comes as Southeast Asia’s snacking landscape undergoes rapid changes due to urbanisation, digital adoption, and evolving consumer preferences. Chuckarbutty’s extensive experience across multiple markets positions him to capitalise on these trends and explore new growth opportunities for Mondelēz’s iconic brands, including Cadbury, OREO, and Toblerone.

Before joining Mondelēz, Chuckarbutty held senior roles at Lipton Teas & Infusions and Unilever, where he gained expertise in sales, marketing, and operations. His leadership is expected to steer Mondelēz International towards continued success in the region.

Mondelēz International, with 2024 net revenues of approximately $36 billion, operates in over 150 countries and has been part of Southeast Asia for more than 70 years. The company remains committed to empowering people to snack right with its diverse range of products.

Boustead Singapore Limited has announced plans to divest its stakes in certain logistics and industrial assets as part of a strategic move to list the UI Boustead Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (SGX-ST). The proposed REIT, focusing on logistics, industrial, and high-specifications assets, will initially target investments in Singapore and Japan.

The initial portfolio for the UI Boustead REIT is expected to include 23 properties, comprising 21 leasehold properties in Singapore and two freehold properties in Japan. These properties have a combined gross floor area of approximately 5.9 million square feet and an estimated value of S$1.9b. Boustead Singapore, through its subsidiary Boustead Projects Limited, will hold up to 16.9% of the REIT units upon listing.

The divestment includes Boustead’s interests in four Singapore properties, namely 29 Media Circle, 8 & 12 Seletar Aerospace Heights, 84 Boon Keng Road, and 11 Seletar Aerospace Link. UI Boustead REIT will acquire 100% interests in these properties, contingent on agreements with other investors.

The listing is subject to market conditions, regulatory approvals, and the completion of definitive agreements. Boustead Singapore has cautioned that there is no certainty the IPO and listing will proceed imminently. The REIT aims to leverage Boustead’s extensive real estate management capabilities across Asia, where it currently manages assets worth approximately $3.9b.

Xtep, the renowned Chinese sportswear brand, has inaugurated its first running club store in Asia at Singapore’s Kallang Wave Mall. This innovative store not only offers high-performance running gear but also serves as a community hub for local runners. It features immersive displays and multi-category presentations, providing a comprehensive range of running products and services tailored for professional runners, including marathon events, training camps, and coaching sessions.

The store’s opening aligns with Xtep’s strategy of “Professional runners influence mass runners,” aiming to cater to both elite athletes and casual running enthusiasts. The initiative is set against the backdrop of Singapore’s vibrant running culture, which is supported by a robust calendar of world-class events. According to Sport Singapore, running and jogging are among the nation’s most popular physical activities, highlighted by events like the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon, which attracts over 50,000 participants annually.

The Xtep Running Club (XRC) store is designed to be more than just a retail space; it is a community base that will host group runs, training sessions, and member events. It offers performance footwear for competitive athletes and versatile apparel for everyday wear. Runners can join the XRC by scanning a QR code, granting them access to exclusive events and product experiences.

This strategic move by Xtep not only enhances its brand presence in Asia but also taps into the growing enthusiasm for running in Singapore, promising to foster a stronger community of runners in the region.