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Visa has teamed up with Singapore-based Travelgoogoo to offer an enhanced travel experience for cardholders across 23 Asia Pacific countries. This collaboration introduces the Travelgoogoo eSIM Travel Club, providing users with 365-day unlimited global messaging across 123 countries and exclusive rates for high-speed data boosts, all through a single eSIM.

Travelgoogoo’s CEO, Richard Bok, highlighted the importance of seamless connectivity for travellers, stating, “We are so used to staying connected over messaging apps with friends, family, and colleagues. Yet, the moment we travel, we are often left stranded, hunting for SIM cards or paying too much just to stay online.” The partnership aims to eliminate these challenges, offering ease, reliability, and freedom to explore.

The eSIM service allows instant activation and reliable coverage, enabling users to access unlimited messaging, data voice calls, and photo sharing on popular apps without a data plan. High-speed 4G/5G data can be purchased as needed, providing flexibility and control for travellers.

Visa cardholders benefit from exclusive offers, including a complimentary Travelgoogoo365 Annual Plan for Visa Infinite and Signature members, and a 50% discount for Visa Platinum members. Additional perks include extra high-speed data and discounts on data boosts.

This partnership reflects growing confidence in Travelgoogoo’s ability to deliver reliable travel connectivity. Bok added, “Together, we are unlocking a new kind of travel freedom, where access and connection follow wherever you go.”

Allianz Malaysia Berhad, in collaboration with Yayasan Kajian dan Pembangunan Masyarakat (YKPM), reports significant progress in its Orang Asli Sustainable Livelihood Green Economy Programme. Launched in 2024, the initiative aims to empower Orang Asli communities in Pekan, Pahang, by fostering self-sustaining social enterprises through agroforestry, enhancing food security, and helping them rise above poverty.

The programme expanded in August 2025, now reaching 70 farmers from 42 households and benefiting 1,318 villagers across six villages. This phase focuses on collective farming, centralised infrastructure, efficient logistics, and leadership development.

By January 2026, the programme has enabled 42 Orang Asli families to generate substantial income, with ongoing investments in infrastructure for long-term sustainability. Allianz Malaysia CEO Sean Wang stated, “At Allianz Malaysia, we believe true empowerment happens when communities are given the tools, confidence and opportunities to lead their own progress.”

YKPM Managing Director Kon Onn Sein highlighted the impact of Allianz Malaysia’s financial support, which has allowed YKPM to enhance its support for the Orang Asli community, fostering self-sufficiency and economic growth. The funding also aids in building a sustainable programme that contributes to poverty alleviation and social transformation.

The initiative underscores Allianz Malaysia’s commitment to corporate social responsibility, aiming to create lasting positive impacts on the Orang Asli communities by equipping them with the necessary resources and opportunities for sustainable development.

Professor Dou Dejing, Chief Scientist at Beijing Electronic Digital Intelligence (BEDI), recently presented China’s AI industry practices at the China-ASEAN AI High-Level Seminar in Kuala Lumpur. The event, co-organised by several engineering and academic institutions, gathered nearly 150 representatives to discuss AI technologies and regional cooperation.

During his keynote, Professor Dou highlighted BEDI’s strategy of using full-stack AI capabilities to drive industrial upgrades. He detailed BEDI’s framework, which includes one AI foundation and two industry platforms, tailored to specific cities and industries. This approach has been applied in various sectors, including healthcare and manufacturing, offering ASEAN participants a reference for industry transformation.

BEDI’s initiatives include the Beijing Digital Economy Computing Power Centre, which supports innovation in Chaoyang District’s audiovisual industry, and a partnership with the China-Japan Friendship Hospital to enhance service efficiency. In Foshan, BEDI’s AI-enabled manufacturing base uses intelligent computing to reduce costs and improve efficiency, with projections of generating significant revenue growth.

Professor Dou emphasised BEDI’s commitment to ethical AI and open collaboration, aiming to build a China-ASEAN AI ecosystem through technology transfer and joint research and development. This model, he noted, provides a practical path for AI-powered transformation in Southeast Asia, supporting regional digital transformation and fostering new cooperation landscapes.

PaxOcean, a prominent shipyard group under the Kuok Maritime Group, has inaugurated a new shipyard at 5 Jalan Samulun in Singapore. The S$200m investment underscores the group’s commitment to enhancing Singapore’s status as a global leader in maritime engineering, innovation, and sustainability.

The newly opened facility, known as 5JS, represents a significant milestone for PaxOcean and the broader maritime industry in Singapore. This development is expected to contribute to the country’s maritime sector by providing advanced engineering solutions and promoting sustainable practices.

5JS replaces PaxOcean’s previous location at 33 Tuas Crescent. The new yard occupies a significantly larger footprint, giving PaxOcean the ability to handle more complex projects with faster turnaround.

PaxOcean has also committed more than S$3.5m in R&D investments over the next three years, supported by EDB’s Research and Innovation Scheme for Companies. A key investment will be PaxOcean’s new Centre of Excellence (COE) in Engineering R&D.

The opening of 5JS not only marks a significant investment but also reinforces Singapore’s reputation as a hub for maritime excellence. As the industry evolves, such initiatives are vital in maintaining the country’s competitive edge and fostering sustainable growth in the maritime sector.

Standard Chartered has launched SC Shop and Earn, a pioneering integrated shopping cashback programme for its credit and debit cardholders in Singapore. This initiative, available through the SC Mobile app, is the first of its kind by a bank in Singapore, consolidating over 250 online merchants and cashback opportunities into one digital platform. The programme aims to simplify the rewards process, allowing clients to browse merchants, shop online, and track rewards effortlessly.

Grace Chan, Managing Director of Personal Banking & Credit Cards and Personal Loans at Standard Chartered, highlighted the programme’s development, stating, “Our insights showed that one in two clients value simplicity in reward programmes, whilst nearly 70% prefer cashback over vouchers, reward points, or airline miles.” This feedback led to the creation of SC Shop and Earn, which integrates shopping and cashback into a single ecosystem, offering a streamlined experience.

The programme features a tiered loyalty structure, enabling Priority Private and Priority Banking clients to earn up to 6.9% cashback on travel sites like Agoda and Expedia. This supports the bank’s strategy to reward clients who deepen their relationship with the institution. Cashback is automatically credited to clients’ accounts, adding convenience to the process.

SC Shop and Earn also includes seasonal upsized offers and requires no minimum spend per transaction. The platform’s merchants are curated based on affluent consumer preferences, with a focus on travel-related partners. Cashback is typically credited within 30 to 120 days, depending on merchant-specific terms.

The Singapore Institute of Directors (SID) has announced the appointment of Emily Poon as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), following an extensive search process. Poon will join as CEO-designate on 1 March and officially take over from Terence Quek on 1 May.

Poon brings over 20 years of experience to the role, having previously served as President, Asia Pacific, at Ogilvy Public Relations. Her extensive background includes shaping governance standards across corporate, academic, and public sectors. She is actively involved with the Industry Advisory Council at the National University of Singapore, the Families for Life Council, and the executive committee of Singapore Management University’s Leading Executives and Directors Alumni Group.

SID Chair Yeoh Oon Jin expressed enthusiasm about Poon’s appointment, stating, “We were looking for someone with the right attributes to take SID forward: industry experience across geographies, passion about our mission, and a firm commitment in the belief that SID has an important role to play in raising standards of governance here and in the region.”

Poon, who has been a member and Accredited Director of SID, said, “I look forward to working with the Council and team at the Singapore Institute of Directors to further our mission at a time when the role of directors is transforming and becoming even more critical in a rapidly changing world.”

During Quek’s tenure, SID’s membership grew from 3,300 to over 5,500, and several initiatives were launched, including the SID Accreditation Programme and SID Board Academy. Quek remarked on his time at SID, highlighting the organisation’s growth and expressing confidence in Poon’s leadership.

Poon aims to build on the foundation laid by Quek, focusing on supporting SID members and expanding the institute’s influence both locally and internationally.

Asia OneHealthcare (A1Health) has announced a groundbreaking partnership with MediExpress (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, marking the first collaboration of its kind between a hospital group and the managed healthcare network. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by both parties aims to streamline patient access and improve administrative processes across A1Health hospitals.

Under the partnership, MediExpress will serve as a managed care partner across A1Health’s hospital network, with a shared focus on improving access to private healthcare, enhancing care coordination, and supporting the long-term sustainability of healthcare financing.

The significance of this partnership lies in its potential to transform patient experiences by making healthcare more accessible and affordable. By addressing key challenges in the healthcare system, A1Health and MediExpress are poised to set a new standard for hospital networks in the region.

The partnership brings together A1Health’s nationwide network of 21 hospitals, including 12 Columbia Asia Hospitals, Subang Jaya Medical Centre, Ara Damansara Medical Centre, ParkCity Medical Centre and Bukit Tinggi Medical Centre, as well as five super-specialty hospitals – ALTY Orthopaedic Hospital, Beacon Hospital, Cardiac Vascular Sentral Kuala Lumpur (CVSKL), PICASO Hospital and Northern Heart Hospital Penang.

Beyond hospital-based treatment, the collaboration places a strong emphasis on preventive healthcare and long-term health management. As part of the partnership, MediExpress members will have access to Asia 1Health’s  Health Transformation Programme through selected hospitals within its network.

Singapore has been ranked second globally for real estate resilience, according to WiredScore’s inaugural Global Cities Resilience Index. The report, released today, evaluates cities based on digital, cyber, and physical resilience, drawing on data from over 1,650 buildings worldwide. Singapore’s strong performance is attributed to its advanced digital infrastructure and cybersecurity measures, which have been embedded into buildings from the outset.

The index, which places Chicago first, followed by Singapore, Dubai, Madrid, Hong Kong, and Bangkok, underscores the importance of resilience in attracting global occupiers. Tommy Crowley, VP Asia Pacific at WiredScore, stated, “Sophisticated asset owners across Singapore’s real estate market have recognised that resilience is not just about backup power or physical robustness. It’s about secure, adaptable digital foundations that keep buildings operational under pressure and protect occupiers from growing cyber risk.”

Singapore’s high ranking is further bolstered by its coordinated approach to digital infrastructure and cybersecurity, including a nationwide fibre network and the Infocomm Media Development Authority’s standards for robust telecommunications infrastructure. This alignment between public policy and private sector execution has accelerated the translation of resilience standards into real-world building performance.

The report warns of the increasing vulnerability of smart buildings to cyberattacks, with global cybercrime costs projected to reach $23t by 2027. Despite the demand for automation, only 5% of occupiers have successfully deployed AI at scale due to building-level constraints. As digital connectivity becomes essential, Singapore’s example sets a precedent for future-ready buildings globally.

CapitaLand Ascendas REIT (CLAR) reported a 1.4% increase in distributable income for the financial year ending 31 December 2025, reaching S$678.3m. This growth was attributed to strategic acquisitions in Singapore and the United States, alongside effective management of operating and interest expenses. However, the increase was partially offset by divestments completed in 2024 and 2025.

Despite an enlarged unit base from equity fundraising in June 2025, CLAR’s distribution per unit (DPU) decreased slightly to 15.005 Singapore cents from 15.205 cents in the previous year. Unitholders can expect a 2H 2025 DPU of 7.528 cents, payable on 13 March 2026. The REIT’s distribution yield for FY 2025 stands at 5.3%, based on a closing unit price of S$2.83.

Gross revenue and net property income rose by 1.0% and 1.7% respectively, supported by a 0.4% reduction in property operating expenses. The portfolio’s valuation increased by 8.6% to S$18.2b, driven by new acquisitions and redevelopment completions. The portfolio includes properties in Singapore, Australia, the US, and the UK/Europe.

Chairman Beh Swan Gin highlighted the REIT’s disciplined growth strategy, noting a 33% portfolio increase over five years. CEO William Tay emphasised the REIT’s resilience amid economic uncertainty, citing a 12.0% positive rental reversion and strong leasing commitments for redevelopment projects.

Looking ahead, CLAR plans to continue its portfolio rejuvenation strategy, focusing on developed markets with robust fundamentals. The REIT maintains a healthy leverage ratio of 39.0% and a high level of green financing, reflecting its commitment to sustainable growth.

Singapore’s Budget 2026, set to be unveiled by Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong on 12 February, will be the first under the new Cabinet following the May 2025 General Elections. This budget arrives amidst significant global shifts, including rising geopolitical tensions and the challenges posed by AI-driven economic changes. UOB Global Economics and Markets Research anticipates a fiscal surplus of S$8.1b (1.0% of GDP) for FY2026, driven by robust revenue collections.

The expected surplus for FY2025 has been revised upwards to S$7.6b (1.0% of GDP), surpassing the initial projection of S$6.8b (0.9% of GDP). This adjustment is attributed to stronger corporate income tax, stamp duty, and Vehicle Quota Premiums. Despite higher-than-expected expenditures, the fiscal outlook remains positive.

Budget 2026 is likely to focus on three primary themes: targeted support for low-income households, fostering an AI-ready economy through skills and innovation, and enhancing market access for SMEs and MNCs. These initiatives aim to address the K-shaped economic recovery, where benefits from a tech-led market may not be evenly distributed, and to mitigate AI-related job displacement concerns.

The budget will also consider long-term challenges such as rising healthcare costs due to an ageing population and the need for increased defence spending amid heightened geopolitical tensions. The Net Investment Returns Contribution continues to play a crucial role in supplementing operating revenues, highlighting the government’s commitment to fiscal prudence.

As Singapore navigates these complex challenges, Budget 2026 will be pivotal in securing the nation’s future economic stability and growth.