Regional News

Lion Global Investors has announced the launch of Singapore’s first active bond Exchange Traded Fund (ETF), the LionGlobal Short Duration Bond Fund (Active ETF SGD Class), set to be listed on the Singapore Exchange (SGX) on 29 September 2025. This marks a significant milestone as it is the first listed share class of an existing fund on SGX, offering investors a new option in a declining interest rate environment.

The fund aims to provide capital growth and income over the medium to long term through a diversified portfolio of high-quality, short-term bonds from both Singapore and international issuers. With the Initial Offering Period (IOP) running from 8 to 23 September, investors can subscribe through various platforms, including OCBC ATMs and participating dealers like DBS Vickers Securities and Maybank Securities.

Teo Joo Wah, CEO of Lion Global Investors, highlighted the fund’s strong performance since its inception in 1991, stating, “This listed active ETF SGD Class is a notable addition to the LGI family of ETFs as investors continue to seek out cost-effective, income-producing strategies.”

The introduction of this ETF aligns with the growing demand for active ETFs globally, which have captured 28% of all ETF flows in 2025, according to Bloomberg. Lion Global Investors, with over four decades of fixed income investment experience, manages approximately SGD 56.8 billion in fixed income assets, underscoring its expertise in the field.

The LionGlobal Short Duration Bond Fund (Active ETF SGD Class) offers quarterly distributions and a management fee of 0.25% per annum, providing a cost-effective solution for income-focused investors. As the ETF market continues to evolve, this launch represents a strategic expansion of Lion Global Investors’ offerings, catering to the increasing demand for flexible and resilient investment options.
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Abaxx Exchange and Qingdao International Energy Exchange have announced plans to explore a strategic collaboration in the physical liquefied natural gas (LNG) market. This partnership seeks to integrate Abaxx’s LNG futures and clearing infrastructure with Qingdao’s established energy market presence in China. The collaboration aims to connect international suppliers with China’s demand centres, enhancing liquidity, transparency, and risk management in Asia’s LNG marketplace.

The partnership will focus on several key areas, including the integration of the physical LNG market, the development of transparent price benchmarks for the Asia-Pacific region, and the provision of innovative risk management solutions. Additionally, the collaboration will extend beyond LNG to include a broader range of energy market products, supporting cross-border trading needs.

Nancy Seah, CEO of Abaxx Exchange, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “We are excited to work with Qingdao International Energy Exchange to strengthen the LNG trading ecosystem in Asia.” A spokesperson from Qingdao International Energy Exchange added, “Together we can foster a more robust, efficient, and accessible LNG marketplace.”

This collaboration underscores a shared commitment between Singapore and China to advance sustainable energy solutions and promote cross-border cooperation in commodity trading. As the global energy landscape shifts towards cleaner sources, the partnership aims to play a pivotal role in supporting this transition through improved market infrastructure and connectivity.
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Singapore and Johor have been identified as a key emerging AI powerhub in the Asia Pacific region, according to the inaugural Global Data Centre Report 2025 by the Digital Infrastructure Collective (Asia). The report, which examines data centre landscapes globally, underscores the region’s robust digital connectivity, critical mass of data centre stock, and forward-looking energy strategies as pivotal factors in its rise.

The report notes that Singapore’s role as a digital connectivity hub was bolstered by the lifting of a 2019 moratorium on data centre growth, replaced by a Green Data Centre Roadmap in 2022. This roadmap permits new data centres that meet stringent sustainability and economic criteria. Meanwhile, Johor, Malaysia, has seen a dramatic increase in data centre capacity, from 10MW in 2021 to over 1,500MW by 2024, driven by initiatives like the “Green Lane Pathway” which expedites power and construction approvals.

Johor’s competitive advantages, including lower land, water, and power costs, and access to large-scale renewable energy, position it as a complementary hub to Singapore. The establishment of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone in early 2025 further solidifies this nexus as a critical node for AI development in the region.

Tim Lin, a partner at the Digital Infrastructure Collective (Asia), emphasised the importance of balancing AI and economic advancement with sustainability commitments, stating, “The real challenge, beyond rhetoric or ideology, lies in integrating and actualising both these goals – to deliver meaningful and lasting impact.”

The report’s findings highlight the strategic importance of the Singapore-Johor region in the global AI infrastructure landscape, suggesting significant future growth and investment opportunities.
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Cosco Shipping International (Singapore) Co., Ltd. has announced that its joint venture, Goldlead Supply Chain Development (Southeast Asia) Pte. Ltd., has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with PSA Port Ecosystem (SEA) Pte. Ltd. The agreement, signed on 5 September, outlines the parties’ intention to explore potential collaborations for a new warehouse facility, PSA Supply Chain Hub @ Tuas, in Singapore.

The proposed collaboration aims to establish a regional distribution centre to serve markets across South-East Asia and Asia, focusing on regional transshipment. However, the MOU does not constitute a legally binding agreement, and there is no guarantee that it will lead to definitive agreements.

Cosco Shipping’s Chairman and President, Wang Shan He, stated that the company will provide further updates as material developments occur. Shareholders are advised to exercise caution when dealing with shares or securities of the company and to consult professional advisers if uncertain about any actions to take.

This potential collaboration highlights the strategic importance of Singapore as a logistics hub in the region, potentially enhancing supply chain efficiencies and connectivity for businesses operating in Asia.
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CapitaLand China Trust (CLCT) has announced the divestment of CapitaMall Yuhuating, a retail property in Changsha, to CapitaLand Commercial C-REIT (CLCR) for RMB813.8m (approximately S$146.8m). This sale represents an 8.8% premium over the floor price of RMB748.0m and a 3.7% premium over its December 2024 valuation of RMB785.0m. The transaction is part of CLCT’s strategy to unlock value from mature assets and enhance financial flexibility.

The divestment will see CLCT subscribing to a 5% strategic stake in CLCR at the initial public offering (IPO) price of RMB5.718 per unit. The net proceeds from the sale, after accounting for the IPO subscription and transaction costs, are estimated to be RMB663.4m (approximately S$119.8m). These proceeds are expected to reduce CLCT’s aggregate leverage from 42.6% to 41.2%.

Gerry Chan, CEO of CapitaLand China Trust Management Limited, stated, “CLCR offers a strategic opportunity for CLCT to enter the expanding C-REIT market. It provides a platform to unlock value from our mature assets, bolstering our financial flexibility to pursue income diversification and enhance portfolio quality.”

CapitaMall Yuhuating, located in the Yuhua District of Changsha, is a community mall with convenient access to public transport. The divestment aligns with CLCT’s broader strategy to focus on a diversified portfolio across Greater China, including Hong Kong and Macau, whilst CLCR will concentrate on retail assets in Mainland China.

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Community Chest has significantly increased its funding for mental health programmes, raising the amount from $6.7m (S$9.1m) in 2022 to $9.8m (S$13.3m) in 2024. This boost in funding was announced at the annual Heartstrings Walk, held at Marina Bay Sands on 6 September, where over 3,000 participants gathered to support mental health initiatives. The event, part of a three-year pledge by Community Chest, also benefits from the SG Gives Matching Grant, amplifying the impact of donations.

The National Council of Social Service (NCSS) recently conducted a Quality of Life study, revealing that 26% of Singaporeans experience mild depressive or anxiety symptoms, 19% moderate, and 7% severe. This underscores the necessity for mental health support across all stages of recovery. Anita Fam, President of NCSS, emphasised the importance of addressing these needs, stating, “Our study confirms that quality of life declines with symptom severity, showing why we need care across all recovery stages.”

Community Chest’s funding supports 13 social service agencies, including the Samaritans of Singapore, which operates a 24-hour crisis hotline. The hotline has proven effective, with over 89% of callers reporting reduced distress after using the service. Additionally, the funding aids programmes addressing behavioural addictions and supports employment sustainability.

The Heartstrings Walk, co-organised with Marina Bay Sands, featured a Vertical Marathon and a national 600km relay, Relay SG60. Marina Bay Sands has pledged $540,000 (S$750,000) over three years to Community Chest, reinforcing its commitment to social causes. This initiative aims to inspire more individuals to contribute to Singapore’s community spirit.
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SG Mental Health Matters, the group behind Project Hayat, has announced two significant research initiatives on World Suicide Prevention Day, 10 September 2025, to enhance suicide prevention efforts in Singapore. The first study, led by Dr Rayner Tan from the National University of Singapore (NUS), will use the Network Scale-Up Method (NSUM) to estimate the true scale of suicides, addressing discrepancies in provisional statistics that previously suggested a 20-year low in suicides for 2023, later revealed to be a 35% increase.

The second initiative focuses on male suicide risk, as men accounted for nearly 70% of suicides in 2023. This participatory study, developed in collaboration with NUS, aims to understand the social conditions contributing to male suicide and inform more effective prevention strategies. Anthea Ong, co-lead of Project Hayat, emphasised the importance of addressing data gaps and focusing on high-risk groups to ensure prevention strategies are evidence-based and compassionate.

Project Hayat, launched in 2024, is Singapore’s first community-led initiative advocating for a national suicide prevention strategy. It previously published a White Paper calling for coordinated national action under the S.A.V.E L.I.V.E.S. framework. The initiative has secured a S$50,000 seed grant for interviews with vulnerable groups and submitted a S$1m grant proposal for the male suicide study.

The findings from these studies are expected to guide national prevention efforts, with a community report anticipated by early 2026. Project Hayat continues to advocate for transparency, compassion, and evidence in Singapore’s suicide prevention efforts.
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Manulife has launched its first Longevity Symposium in Asia, gathering over 1,000 participants, including healthcare experts and industry leaders, at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre. The event, attended by Minister of State Jasmin Lau, focused on improving quality of life alongside longevity. A key highlight was the introduction of the enhanced ManulifeMOVE platform, which now supports holistic wellbeing across six pillars, including healthcare and community engagement.

The symposium underscored Manulife’s commitment to advancing longevity in Asia, building on previous events in Boston. Benoit Meslet, President and CEO of Manulife Singapore, emphasised the company’s role in empowering customers to make informed health and financial decisions. “Our latest Asia Care survey shows that only 6% of respondents wished for a longer lifespan, the vast majority prioritised staying physically, mentally and socially active,” Meslet stated.

The event featured interactive sessions and expert panels exploring topics such as AI-powered health diagnostics and retirement planning. The enhanced ManulifeMOVE platform now offers a tiered membership structure and expanded services, aiming to help customers navigate life’s transitions with confidence. Harshal Shah, Chief Marketing & Experience Design Officer at Manulife Asia, noted, “With ManulifeMOVE, we’re giving customers the power to take charge of their health and financial choices.”

Additionally, Manulife and UpLink announced ten winners of the ‘Innovating for Asia’s Demographic Future Challenge’, recognising ventures with potential to impact Asia’s ageing societies. These initiatives will join UpLink’s Innovation Ecosystem, gaining access to networking and partnership opportunities.
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The National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS) celebrated the 35th anniversary of its Heart Transplant Programme on 6 September 2025, highlighting its significant contributions to advanced heart failure management. The event, held at JEN Singapore Tanglin, was attended by approximately 200 guests, including heart transplant recipients and healthcare professionals. Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar GRC, Foo Cexiang, was among the distinguished attendees.

Since its inception in 1990, NHCS has performed 103 heart transplants and 156 Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) implantations. The programme has achieved several regional firsts, such as Asia’s first combined heart-liver transplant and Southeast Asia’s youngest LVAD recipient at 13 years old. Assistant Professor Louis Teo, Director of the Heart Failure Programme, noted the programme’s evolution from a groundbreaking initiative to a comprehensive care management system, offering patients multiple options for advanced heart failure.

NHCS continues to innovate with advancements in mechanical heart pumps and patient care. Recent developments include minimally invasive LVAD implantation techniques and the first HeartMate 3 BiVentricular Assist Device implantation. The inclusion of Hepatitis B and HIV patients on the transplant waiting list has also expanded opportunities for successful transplants.

Looking ahead, NHCS is exploring non-invasive monitoring methods and advanced organ preservation technologies to enhance heart transplantation outcomes. Additionally, the next generation of VADs promises greater patient independence through wireless technology and AI-powered monitoring systems.

Professor Yeo Khung Keong, CEO of NHCS, emphasised the centre’s commitment to advancing heart failure care through innovation and research, aiming to expand access to life-saving therapies and develop next-generation treatments.
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CGS International Securities Singapore (CGS SG) has teamed up with ViewTrade, a global technology solutions provider, to democratise access to US equities for its clients. This partnership, announced on 5 September 2025, will enable CGS SG to integrate various investment flows, including retail and institutional, into a single brokerage relationship through ViewTrade’s UP trading platform. This collaboration allows CGS SG to offer fractional trading of US stocks, facilitating diversified portfolios for its clients.

ViewTrade’s Managing Director, Laksh Gangwani, highlighted the mission to make global markets more accessible by equipping financial institutions with comprehensive solutions. “Helping CGS SG deliver fractional US equity trading is an example of how our solutions can support partners in offering differentiated and innovative experiences,” he stated.

The partnership aims to leverage CGS International’s regional strength in Southeast Asia and ViewTrade’s global infrastructure to enhance market access. Saw Ping May, Group Chief Strategy Officer of CGS International, expressed gratitude for ViewTrade’s support, noting that the UP platform is designed to democratise access to capital markets and promote responsible investing.

ViewTrade, with over two decades of experience, supports financial institutions in cross-border connectivity, enabling both institutional and retail access to global markets. The collaboration with CGS SG is expected to drive efficiencies for ViewTrade’s clients across 30 countries, furthering its mission to democratise capital markets access in Southeast Asia.
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