Regional News

Singapore-headquartered digital travel platform Agoda is inviting nature enthusiasts to explore Asia’s most enchanting birdwatching destinations. As slow travel gains popularity, birdwatching presents a tranquil escape and a unique way to connect with nature. Asia, home to some of the world’s premier birdwatching locations, is a must-visit for those seeking remarkable avian encounters.

Agoda has curated a list of six top birdwatching destinations in Asia. Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan, India, is a birdwatcher’s paradise with over 370 species, including the Sarus Crane and Painted Stork. Amami Oshima in Kagoshima, Japan, offers sightings of the rare Amami Thrush and Lidth’s Jay amidst lush forests and pristine beaches.

In Indonesia, Tangkoko Nature Reserve in Sulawesi is known for its dense forests and diverse birdlife, including the Sulawesi Hornbill. Khao Sok National Park in Surat Thani, Thailand, boasts over 300 bird species, such as the Great Hornbill, amidst ancient rainforests and limestone cliffs.

Suncheon Bay in Jeollanam-do, Korea, attracts thousands of migratory birds each year, whilst Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary in Cebu, Philippines, is a critical stopover for migratory birds like the Chinese Egret.

Andrew Smith, Senior Vice President of Supply at Agoda, remarked, “There’s something magical about birdwatching; it’s like a treasure hunt in nature.” Agoda offers a wide range of accommodations and travel options to these destinations, with over 6 million holiday properties, 130,000 flight routes, and 300,000 activities available. Visit Agoda.com or download the Agoda app for the best deals.
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Singapore LNG Corporation (SLNG) has commenced construction of a new LNG Lorry Loading Facility at its terminal on Jurong Island. The groundbreaking ceremony, held today, was attended by SLNG Chairman Gan Seow Kee, CEO Leong Wei Hung, and representatives from China International Water & Electric Corp (S) Pte Ltd (CIWE), the project’s engineering, procurement, and construction company.

The facility, set to be completed by Q4 2026, will feature two loading bays designed to accommodate 40-footer lorries, doubling the capacity of the current facility, which only supports 20-footer lorries. This expansion aims to meet the growing demand for trucked LNG in Singapore. The facility will also include hard loading arms optimised for single-operator use, enhancing operational efficiency by reducing manpower needs.

Leong Wei Hung, CEO of SLNG, stated, “The new LNG lorry loading facility reinforces our commitment to expanding and diversifying LNG distribution channels across Singapore. As demand for trucked LNG continues to grow, this facility plays a crucial role in supporting the nation’s energy transition goals.”

The development of this facility is part of SLNG’s broader strategy to support Singapore’s energy transition and enhance the flexibility, reliability, and sustainability of LNG supply. As the country moves towards cleaner energy solutions, the facility will play a vital role in meeting the evolving energy needs of Singapore and its surrounding markets.
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Kennedys, a global litigation and dispute resolution firm, has strengthened its Singapore operations by appointing Iain Anderson as a partner. Anderson, a specialist in marine, offshore energy, and trade credit insurance, will join the firm in October 2025. With nearly 30 years of experience, he is recognised as a leading individual in the Chambers 2025 Asia-Pacific Guide and is known for providing practical solutions to complex coverage and claims issues.

Anita Quy, Joint Managing Partner for Kennedys’ Singapore office, highlighted Anderson’s reputation in Singapore’s insurance market, stating, “Iain is a market leader in his field and highly respected across Singapore’s insurance market.” She added that his appointment would enhance Kennedys’ established insurance and marine practice in the region and contribute to the firm’s global trade credit capabilities.

Anderson expressed his enthusiasm for joining Kennedys, citing the firm’s international reach and reputation as key factors in his decision. “What attracted me to Kennedys is its international reach and standing as a leading insurance firm, making it a natural fit for me,” he said.

Kennedys has been operating in Singapore since 2008 and has grown to include over 80 lawyers and business service professionals. The firm is known for its expertise in marine and offshore energy insurance, advising on complex matters for leading insurers and reinsurers globally. Anderson’s appointment is expected to further bolster Kennedys’ capabilities in these areas, as well as in trade credit and political risk insurance.
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Singlife has unveiled its latest insurance offering, the Singlife Multipay Critical Illness II, designed to provide comprehensive financial support for policyholders at every stage of illness, including recurrent conditions. This plan, available as a standalone policy or as a rider to selected Singlife term plans, boasts a market-leading payout of 150% for each recurrent critical illness claim, covering major conditions such as cancer, stroke, and heart attack.

The plan offers extensive coverage across 135 critical illness conditions, with potential payouts reaching up to 900% of the sum assured. A notable feature is the Advance Care Option, exclusive to Singlife, which allows policyholders diagnosed with a severe stage critical illness to convert their Recurrent Critical Illness Benefit into an additional lump sum payout of 75% of the sum assured. This option provides extra financial security during critical times.

Helen Shen, Group Head of Products at Singlife, stated, “At Singlife, we know that illness can be unpredictable and recovery is often complex. Singlife Multipay Critical Illness II is built to support policyholders through every stage of illness, even after a diagnosis, whether at an early stage or during a recurrence.”

Additionally, the plan includes a premium waiver upon the diagnosis of the first severe stage critical illness, ensuring policyholders are not burdened with future payments during challenging times. This initiative underscores Singlife’s commitment to providing innovative and robust support for its customers.
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Singtel and UOB have unveiled the refreshed Singtel-UOB Credit Card, promising enhanced value and flexibility for users. The card now offers a market-leading 12% cashback on all Singtel transactions, including monthly bills, device purchases, and lifestyle spending. Additionally, cardholders can enjoy 10% cashback on online and mobile contactless payments, zero foreign currency conversion fees, and a perpetual waiver of annual card fees.

The revamped card aims to cater to the needs of digital natives with features such as seamless integration with mobile wallets like Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay. Diana Chen, Managing Director of Customer Management and Marketing Communications at Singtel Singapore, highlighted the card’s alignment with customer lifestyles, stating, “Whether they’re paying mobile or internet bills, shopping online or travelling, this card offers real value.”

Jacquelyn Tan, Head of Group Personal Financial Services at UOB, emphasised the power of partnerships in delivering exceptional value, noting that the card combines UOB’s data-backed insights with Singtel’s digital connectivity to provide better lifestyle deals.

The card also offers additional benefits during festive campaigns, allowing customers to stack rewards on top of the standard 12% cashback. Furthermore, the card supports international spending with no foreign currency markup and offers up to 6 GB of additional roaming data in Malaysia.

This latest offering is part of Singtel’s broader strategy to enhance customer rewards, which includes exclusive benefits for Singtel-UOB Card customers and other loyalty programmes. For more information or to apply for the card, visit Singtel’s website.
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SeaTown Holdings International, a prominent Asia-focused alternative investment firm and subsidiary of Temasek’s Seviora Holdings, has announced the successful first close of its SeaTown Private Credit Fund III (PCF III) with more than $612 million in capital commitments. This achievement marks a significant step in SeaTown’s expanding private credit franchise, building on the successes of its previous funds, PCF I and PCF II, to meet the growing demand for private credit opportunities in the Asia Pacific region.

Chi Kit Chai, Chief Investment Officer at SeaTown, expressed gratitude for the trust of investors, stating, “As markets evolve, private credit plays an increasingly important role in providing income-generating assets with built-in downside protection.” The fund has attracted a diverse group of investors from the Middle East, Japan, Taiwan, and Singapore, highlighting the global appeal of SeaTown’s investment strategy.

Eddie Ong, Deputy CIO and Head of Private Investments at SeaTown, noted, “What sets our private credit strategy apart is how we provide value for our investors, leveraging the team’s deep capabilities in sourcing proprietary transactions and structuring bespoke solutions across the region.” PCF III aims to deliver mid-teens net returns and a double-digit distribution yield, offering tailored financing solutions to companies across Asia Pacific.

With a sector-agnostic approach, PCF III is designed to meet the needs of income-oriented investors, providing a robust building block for multi-asset portfolios seeking diversification and structured downside protection. Clifford Chance serves as the lead fund counsel for PCF III.
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Condo resale prices in Singapore saw a notable increase in July 2025, with the Rest of Central Region (RCR) and Outside Central Region (OCR) experiencing price hikes of 2.1% and 0.1%, respectively, according to the latest 99-SRX Media Flash Report. However, the Core Central Region (CCR) faced a 2.1% decline in prices. Overall, resale prices rose by 0.7% month-on-month and 5.3% year-on-year.

The report highlighted a significant 15.1% rise in resale volumes from June, with 1,076 units resold in July. This surge is attributed to buyers acting swiftly as Singapore Overnight Rate Average (SORA) rates fell below Housing Development Board (HDB) interest rates. Despite this increase, sales volumes were 5.6% lower compared to July 2024, a period marked by heightened activity due to pent-up demand.

In terms of regional distribution, 50.5% of transactions occurred in the OCR, 32.6% in the RCR, and 16.9% in the CCR. The highest resale price was recorded at Boulevard 88, with a unit selling for $9,500,000 (S$13,000,000). Meanwhile, the RCR’s top transaction was $6,150,000 (S$8,400,000) at The Sovereign, and the OCR’s highest was $3,000,000 (S$4,100,000) at Ocean Park.

The overall median capital gain for resale condos was $270,000 (S$371,000), slightly down from June. District 11 posted the highest median capital gain at $560,000 (S$767,000), whilst District 1 recorded a loss of $36,500 (S$50,000). The median unlevered return stood at 31%, with District 20 achieving the highest at 46%.

Luqman Hakim, Chief Data & Analytics Officer at 99.co, noted that whilst luxury-heavy districts and Central Business District properties saw softer returns, family-friendly areas driven by upgraders showed more robust performance.
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RHB has reaffirmed its ‘overweight’ rating on the retail staples sector, citing its defensive nature and resilience in earnings. The report, released on 27 August 2025, identifies Sheng Siong and DFI Retail Group as top picks, with expected earnings compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) of 10% and 13% respectively from FY24 to FY27. The sector is projected to maintain a price-to-earnings ratio of 15-18 times for FY26, with a 4% yield.

The report emphasises Sheng Siong’s growth potential through the opening of new stores, whilst DFI Retail Group is highlighted as an earnings recovery play due to corporate restructuring. Analyst Alfie Yeo notes, “Our investment thesis remains intact, with both companies poised to deliver on earnings and dividends.”

This analysis comes amidst a broader economic landscape where RHB is also monitoring global economic trends, including potential fading industrial production momentum in the second half of 2025. The retail staples sector’s stability offers a buffer against such uncertainties, making it an attractive option for investors seeking reliable returns.

Looking ahead, the sector’s performance will be closely watched, particularly in light of ongoing corporate strategies and market conditions. RHB’s continued ‘overweight’ stance suggests confidence in the sector’s ability to navigate challenges and sustain growth.
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Economic ties between Singapore and Africa have strengthened significantly, with bilateral trade surging by over 50% from S$12.1 billion in 2020 to S$18.7 billion in 2024. This growth was highlighted during the eighth Africa Singapore Business Forum (ASBF), where Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Grace Fu, announced the enforcement of new investment treaties with Côte d’Ivoire and Nigeria. These treaties are designed to enhance investor confidence and promote increased investment flows between Singapore and these West African nations.

The ASBF, organised by Enterprise Singapore, also marked a historic moment with the presence of Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, the first African Head of State to attend the forum since its inception in 2010. The event featured discussions on strengthening Africa-Asia collaboration amidst global challenges, with Singapore’s Minister of State for Trade and Industry, Alvin Tan, participating in a keynote dialogue alongside African business leaders.

Five agreements were exchanged at the forum, including a Memorandum of Understanding between Enterprise Singapore and the Ghana Standards Authority. This agreement aims to enhance standardisation cooperation, particularly in petroleum transactions, by adopting Singapore’s Mass Flow Metre standards in Ghana. Other agreements spanned financial services, sustainability, and consumer sectors, reflecting the growing business partnerships between Singapore and Africa.

Enterprise Singapore’s Chairman, Lee Chuan Teck, emphasised the importance of building bridges with like-minded nations, noting the fourfold increase in first-time market entry projects by Singapore companies in Africa from 2020 to 2024. The ASBF 2025, themed “Bridging Capabilities, Charting Sustainable Growth,” continues until 28 August, gathering over 700 business and government leaders from around 40 countries.
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Singapore is poised to become a leader in advanced healthcare with the recent regulatory approval of AI-powered intraoperative imaging technologies for pulmonary care. The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) has granted pre-market approval for Body Vision Medical’s LungVision platform, a move that promises to enhance diagnostic accuracy and facilitate earlier interventions for lung cancer patients. This development underscores Singapore’s commitment to innovative healthcare solutions, according to GlobalData.

LungVision employs AI-guided navigation to overlay imaging data on live fluoroscopy, creating CT-like visualisation during bronchoscopy. This real-time mapping allows pulmonologists to accurately locate small nodules, including those previously difficult to reach, making the procedure more efficient and less invasive. Divya Soni, a Medical Devices Analyst at GlobalData, stated, “With lung cancer being one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide, technologies that improve early detection can significantly impact patient survival rates.”

The integration of AI into routine clinical practice not only elevates standards of patient care but also reinforces Singapore’s position as a regional leader in precision medicine. Soni added, “By adopting such cutting-edge platforms, Singapore is strengthening both its healthcare outcomes and its innovation ecosystem.”

The approval of LungVision marks a significant step in transforming the pulmonary care landscape, potentially improving patient outcomes and setting a precedent for the adoption of AI technologies in healthcare across the region.
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