Industry News

OCBC has introduced a free online tool, OCBC PULSE, designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) evaluate their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) readiness. Available across Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Indonesia, the tool aims to assist SMEs in identifying sustainability gaps and offers actionable recommendations for improvement. Large companies can also use the tool to assess the ESG performance of their SME suppliers, fostering better sustainability practices within supply chains.

As sustainability becomes a priority, large companies are increasingly expecting their SME suppliers to adopt sustainable practices. OCBC PULSE provides a straightforward, cost-free method for SMEs to begin their ESG journey and remain competitive. The tool allows SMEs to track their progress over time and aligns with OCBC’s commitment to support the green transition of SMEs by piloting the tool with its own suppliers.

Developed in collaboration with the UN Global Compact Network Singapore, OCBC PULSE is built on Technical Reference 149, a framework by Enterprise Singapore. It enables large companies to onboard their suppliers, who can then complete an ESG assessment. The results, classified into four levels from Starter to Advanced, are instantly available to SMEs, whilst large companies receive a dashboard view of their suppliers’ ESG maturity.

OCBC plans to organise workshops for large companies and SME suppliers to address improvement areas and share best practices. This initiative supports OCBC’s goal to provide sustainable financing to 12,000 SMEs by 2028. Elaine Heng, Head of Global Commercial Banking at OCBC, stated, “OCBC PULSE helps SMEs seize sustainable growth opportunities and stay competitive by meeting evolving requirements.”

Ericsenz Capital has successfully completed Asia’s first physically deliverable Bitcoin Dual-Currency Note (BTC DCN), marking a significant milestone in digital asset investment products. Launched in December 2025 and distributed by SBI Digital Markets, the three-month BTC DCN allowed investors to earn a 20% annualised coupon by committing to purchase Bitcoin at a predetermined strike price below market levels.

The completion of this transaction highlights the growing institutional interest in digital assets, as asset managers, banks, and professional investors increasingly seek investment solutions that blend digital asset exposure with traditional capital market infrastructure. The BTC DCN was designed to bridge the gap between traditional finance and digital assets, offering Bitcoin exposure through a structured investment framework compatible with institutional custody and recognised settlement processes.

Datuk Ashley Choo, CEO of Ericsenz Capital, stated, “The successful completion of this transaction demonstrates that digital asset investment products can be structured, distributed and settled within frameworks compatible with institutional capital markets.” SBI Digital Markets, acting as the distributor, provided access to accredited and institutional investors.

CK Ong, Acting CEO of SBI Digital Markets, noted, “Institutional demand for digital asset investment opportunities continues to develop alongside the broader market infrastructure supporting the sector.”

The transaction involved multiple institutional participants, with Ericsenz Capital as the product designer and SBI Digital Markets as the distributor. The initiative reflects Ericsenz Capital’s strategy to expand its digital asset offerings, integrating digital assets with traditional market infrastructure.

The Supreme Court of Singapore and the Supreme People’s Court of Vietnam have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance judicial cooperation. The agreement, signed on 29 May 2026, focuses on developing a specialised international commercial court within the Vietnam International Financial Centres.

The MOU establishes a framework for collaboration, including the exchange of knowledge on international commercial dispute resolution, judicial training, and sharing best practices on court processes. Justice Ang Cheng Hock of the Supreme Court of Singapore and Deputy Chief Justice Le Tien of the Supreme People’s Court of Vietnam formalised the agreement.

This initiative underscores Singapore’s commitment to supporting Vietnam’s ambition to create a world-class international financial centre. It also reflects the strong bilateral relationship between the two nations and their shared dedication to developing a robust legal infrastructure for international commerce in the region.

The MOU is expected to facilitate the growth of Vietnam’s financial sector by providing a reliable legal framework, thereby attracting more international business and investment. This collaboration highlights the importance of judicial cooperation in fostering economic development and stability in Southeast Asia.

Emirates has launched a groundbreaking Comprehensive Travel Cover, becoming the first airline globally to offer such extensive travel insurance. This new product, available from today, provides passengers with conflict-related medical coverage up to $25,000, a complimentary 30-day trip extension, and support during travel disruptions, regardless of government travel advisories.

The insurance, developed in collaboration with Travel Guard, includes benefits such as trip cancellation cover, compensation for baggage delay or loss, and unlimited medical expense and emergency evacuation cover worldwide. Emirates will also manage hotel stays and rebook passengers on alternative airlines at no extra cost if flights are disrupted, ensuring seamless travel.

Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, stated: “Listening to customer feedback, we realised that travel demand remains strong but there was a gap in the market with regards to travel insurance cover. Therefore, we acted to address our customers’ needs.”

Russel Antonio, Head of Global Business & Partnerships at Travel Guard, added: “By combining our strengths once again, this new comprehensive travel product offers enhanced protection that sets a new benchmark in the industry.”

The Comprehensive Travel Cover is available for purchase on emirates.com and can be added to existing bookings via the ‘Manage Booking’ option. It is accessible in multiple markets, including Singapore, the UK, and the UAE, providing travellers with added confidence and flexibility in their travel plans.

Federal Express Corporation is stepping up its support for Asia Pacific businesses as they prepare for the European Union’s removal of the de minimis duty exemption on 1 July 2026. This change introduces new customs requirements and cost implications for shipments into Europe. To aid businesses, FedEx has engaged over 5,000 companies across 12 Asia Pacific markets through educational webinars, offering guidance to navigate these evolving customs requirements.

Despite high awareness of the EU de minimis changes, a gap remains in readiness. Only 59% of Asia Pacific businesses report being fully or mostly prepared, whilst 41% are still in early stages or unprepared. Key barriers include limited access to actionable guidance (27%), lack of internal expertise on EU customs regulations (24%), and difficulty keeping pace with evolving rules (22%).

Rising compliance requirements are prompting businesses to reassess their approach to European markets. With 45% citing EU customs regulations as a growth constraint, many are adjusting pricing and trade strategies. Intra-Asia and the United States are emerging as key alternatives for those diversifying beyond Europe.

FedEx is expanding its support to help businesses stay compliant. This includes aligning digital systems with new requirements, offering practical guidance, and enhancing Asia-Europe connectivity with additional weekly flights. “At FedEx, we combine deep trade expertise, digital capabilities, and the strength of our global network to help businesses adapt quickly,” said Salil Chari, president, Asia Pacific, FedEx.

As businesses adapt to new regulatory realities, FedEx remains focused on ensuring continuity and reliable access to European markets.

Industrious, a leading flexible workplace provider, is consolidating its Asia-Pacific (APAC) locations under the Industrious brand, effective 1 July 2026. This move unifies sites in Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Sydney, previously operating as The Great Room, following Industrious’s acquisition of the brand in May 2022.

The rebranding aligns with increasing demand for globally connected, hospitality-driven workspaces. Since CBRE’s full acquisition of Industrious in 2025, the company has expanded its global portfolio by 58% and plans to open over 60 new locations in 2026. This strategic shift underscores Industrious’s commitment to enhancing its global footprint.

APAC plays a pivotal role in Industrious’s growth strategy, with plans to expand by over 50% in the region within the next year. This includes the launch of three new locations in Singapore in 2026, highlighting the company’s dedication to the APAC market.

The integration of The Great Room into the Industrious brand reflects a seamless blend of operations, design, technology, and systems, aiming to deliver a consistent and superior workplace experience across all locations. This strategic move is expected to bolster Industrious’s position as a leader in the flexible workspace sector, catering to the evolving needs of enterprises seeking innovative and connected office solutions.

ASK Health Asia has unveiled Voices for Health, a pioneering regional platform designed to embed patient perspectives into healthcare reform across Asia and the Middle East. The inaugural summit, held on 16 June in Singapore, gathered nearly 160 healthcare leaders, including policymakers, providers, and patient advocacy groups, to discuss transforming patient-centred care from principle to practice.

The initiative addresses the growing complexity and cost pressures in global healthcare systems by fostering a collaborative environment where patient voices are integral to discussions on policy, financing, and care delivery. Chang Liu, CEO of ASK Health Asia, emphasised the importance of involving patients in decision-making, stating, “Healthcare systems cannot claim to be patient-centred if patients are only consulted after decisions have already been made.”

The summit, supported by partners such as Singapore General Hospital and Novartis, focused on building value-based health systems, improving integrated care, and institutionalising patient input in healthcare decisions. Judith Love, President of Novartis APMA, highlighted the necessity of early patient involvement, saying, “If we want health systems that people trust, patients need influence early enough to shape decisions.”

Voices for Health aims to support at least 10 collaborations by 2030 to enhance patient engagement and health outcomes. The platform’s multi-year agenda will continue to evolve, informed by insights from its structured co-creation process initiated in December 2025.

The Asia-Pacific healthcare sector is under increasing pressure as patient expectations rise and the clinical workforce remains stretched, according to Bain & Company’s 2026 Asia-Pacific Front Line of Healthcare Report. The report, based on surveys of 6,300 consumers and 600 doctors across the region, reveals a growing disconnect between consumer demands and healthcare delivery capabilities.

Consumers are increasingly proactive about their health, with 60% now scheduling regular check-ups, up from 47% in 2023. A significant 84% expect greater convenience, whilst 71% desire more responsive communication from doctors via digital channels. The demand for a unified healthcare management system is evident, with 95% of consumers expressing a preference for a single touchpoint, up from 70% in 2019.

Clinicians are feeling the strain, with one in five doctors considering leaving their jobs due to excessive workloads and burnout. Additionally, one-third report inefficiencies such as excessive paperwork and fragmented workflows. Despite the potential of AI to alleviate some of these pressures, many organisations are not prepared to implement AI solutions at scale, citing unclear strategies and insufficient training.

Vikram Kapur, head of Bain & Company’s Global Healthcare & Life Sciences practice, noted, “The challenge now is not simply expanding access, but fundamentally redesigning how care is coordinated, delivered and experienced.”

The report suggests strategic opportunities for healthcare stakeholders, including enhancing care coordination and embedding AI into core operations. As the sector navigates these challenges, the integration of AI and improved clinician engagement are seen as pivotal to future success.

Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, is set to host a pilot recruitment open day in Singapore on 9-10 July 2026 at the Carlton Hotel. This event offers experienced pilots the chance to meet Emirates’ recruitment team and learn about career opportunities within the airline’s expansive global network. The sessions, scheduled for 10 AM and 1 PM on 9 July and 10 AM on 10 July, are open to walk-ins without prior registration.

The open day comes as Emirates continues to expand its operations, now connecting over 130 destinations across 72 countries. The airline already employs 36 Singaporean pilots, highlighting its appeal to local talent. Rashed Alfajeer, Emirates’ Country Manager for Singapore and Brunei, emphasised the significance of Singapore as a market, stating, “This open day gives pilots in Singapore the opportunity to engage directly with our team, understand the training and career pathways we offer, and explore what a future with Emirates could look like.”

Emirates is investing heavily in its future, with a $135m training facility in Dubai and plans to expand its fleet with Airbus A350 and Boeing 777X aircraft. The airline offers roles such as Direct Entry Captains, First Officers, and positions within the Accelerated Command Programme, promising rapid career progression. Pilots joining Emirates can expect a competitive package, including tax-free salary, extensive leave, and travel benefits, with Dubai serving as the airline’s global hub.

Singapore-headquartered ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC) has announced the opening of STT Seoul 1, its inaugural data centre in South Korea. Located in Gasan-dong, Geumcheon-gu, Seoul, the facility offers up to 30 megawatts (MW) of IT load capacity and is designed to support hyperscale and enterprise deployments, including high-density workloads. This development marks STT GDC’s strategic entry into one of Asia’s most advanced digital markets, aiming to meet the growing demand for cloud and AI infrastructure in Northeast Asia.

The data centre, developed through a joint venture with Hyosung Heavy Industries, combines local expertise with STT GDC’s global platform. Charles Chulhoy Huh, Country Head of STT GDC Korea, stated, “STT Seoul 1 establishes an important foundation for STT GDC’s presence in Korea, extending a globally consistent platform into a key Northeast Asian market.”

Hyosung Group Chairman Hyun-Joon Cho highlighted the significance of the facility, noting it as a milestone for Korea’s AI ecosystem. The centre is strategically positioned near critical infrastructure, including telecommunications and transport links, enhancing its operational resilience and efficiency.

STT Seoul 1 has achieved the Tier III Certification of Design Documents from Uptime Institute, ensuring high availability and operational resilience. The facility features dual power feeds, a distributed redundant UPS system, and backup generators, alongside a cooling system with a design Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) of below 1.3.

The launch of STT Seoul 1 underscores STT GDC’s commitment to supporting Korea’s ambition to become a global leader in AI, providing a robust foundation for the nation’s digital economy.