Regional News

The National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School is celebrating its 60th anniversary, coinciding with Singapore’s 60th year of independence and NUS’ 120th anniversary. Under the theme “Shaping The Next,” the School is reaffirming its commitment to nurturing talents that have significantly contributed to the development of Singapore, Asia, and beyond.

Since its inception in 1965 with just 21 students, NUS Business School has grown into a globally respected institution, now educating over 6,000 students across undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Over the past six decades, the School has been instrumental in cultivating business and community leaders, with its 50,000 alumni impacting economies and industries worldwide.

Distinguished Professor Andrew Rose emphasised the School’s influence, stating, “Over the past 60 years, NUS Business School has played a central role in shaping business talent for Asia, reflecting our continued commitment to building executive capacity—leaders who can drive innovation, lead high-performing teams, and deliver impact to meet the demands of the region.”

NUS Business School is recognised for its management thought leadership from an Asian perspective, consistently ranking highly in global and regional evaluations. It holds accreditations from AACSB International and EQUIS, ensuring it meets the highest standards in business education. As it celebrates this milestone, the School looks forward to continuing its legacy of excellence in shaping future business leaders.
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Steve Leung Design Group has introduced two new dining experiences at Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore: KA-MON, a modern take on a traditional Japanese grill, and Sugarra, which celebrates Basque-Spanish cuisine. Led by Chief Creative Officer Mai Chongchaiyo, these venues aim to blend cultural authenticity with innovative design, offering guests a unique culinary journey.

KA-MON reinterprets Japanese grilling techniques, featuring live cooking stations such as Genshiyaki, Warayaki, and Robatayaki. The restaurant’s design incorporates handcrafted wood and straw-textured walls, creating an earthy, intimate atmosphere. A private dining room offers a secluded space for personalised chef experiences, enhancing the restaurant’s focus on culinary artistry.

Sugarra, on the other hand, draws inspiration from Basque-Spanish flavours, with olive oil as a central theme. The restaurant’s design includes an arch tunnel lined with olive oil funnels, setting the stage for a sensory dining experience. The main dining area features a visual kitchen framed by gradient glass panels, allowing diners to witness the culinary action.

Mai Chongchaiyo stated, “Seamless integration of storytelling, cuisine, and design enables guests to genuinely connect with the cultural essence of each restaurant.” Both KA-MON and Sugarra aim to offer immersive environments where every detail contributes to a memorable dining experience.

These new additions to Resorts World Sentosa highlight Steve Leung Design Group’s commitment to creating spaces that honour tradition whilst embracing innovation, providing guests with a multisensory journey that extends beyond the meal itself.
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In response to the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Mandalay, Myanmar, in March, Insternity Group, in collaboration with Myint Mo Shyan, MyanLife, and the KBZ Foundation, has initiated a rapid reconstruction effort using modular building technology. This partnership aims to provide immediate relief and long-term support to the affected communities.

The innovative use of modular construction has enabled the swift deployment of essential infrastructure, including offices and residential units, crucial for restoring services in the region. “When the earthquake struck Myanmar, I was determined to provide the fastest and most effective response for the victims,” said Saw Dino Ku, Managing Director of Myint Mo Shyan. The modular approach offers faster construction times, potentially lower costs, and higher energy efficiency compared to traditional methods.

Insternity Group and Myint Mo Shyan have constructed modular offices and dormitories for the KBZ Foundation, ensuring uninterrupted operations and financial services. MyanLife, leveraging its charitable experience, coordinated relief resources and assessed community needs to ensure that reconstruction efforts effectively addressed the population’s requirements.

Barbie Tsai, CEO of Insternity Group, emphasised the importance of empathy in disaster response, stating, “Our goal is to rebuild hope through construction—creating not just shelters but foundations for a new future.” The collaboration highlights the critical role of modular solutions in disaster resilience and sustainable reconstruction.

This cross-national effort underscores the power of international cooperation and corporate social responsibility, setting a new benchmark for future disaster response initiatives. By combining Singapore’s architectural expertise, Myanmar’s local capabilities, and MyanLife’s philanthropic experience, the partnership aims to build long-term resilience in Mandalay.
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The International Built Environment Week (IBEW) 2025 is set to return to Singapore from 3–5 September at the Expo & Convention, Marina Bay Sands. Organised by BCA International in partnership with RX Singapore, this year’s event will introduce the IBEW Expert Series, aiming to enhance the skills of built environment professionals. The series will focus on bridging the gap between current industry knowledge and future specialisation.

The theme, “Today’s Professional, Tomorrow’s Expert,” highlights the importance of technical mastery and real-world application. Attendees can expect sessions on prefab efficiency, carbon emissions tracking, and AI in Building Information Modelling (BIM), led by industry leaders like Andrew Dewdney from Kier Construction and Ethan Ow from Wenti Labs. The programme is designed to equip professionals with practical tools to drive innovation.

Alongside IBEW, BEX Asia 2025 will feature over 250 exhibitors showcasing innovations in digitalisation and sustainability. Highlights include a robotics and automation showcase and Obayashi’s 60th anniversary exhibition, unveiling advancements like carbon-capturing concrete.

Key events include the IBEW Industry & Awards Dinner on 3 September, recognising excellence in the sector, and the CORENET X Industry Seminar on 4 September, offering insights into Singapore’s regulatory transformation. The Building Engineering Seminar on 5 September will cover the latest in structural and geotechnical engineering.

IBEW 2025 aims to empower professionals to lead in creating a resilient built environment. Early bird registration is now open. For more details, visit the IBEW website.
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Seatrium Limited has announced a new partnership with Karpowership, marked by the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) in Singapore. This agreement aims to integrate four New Generation Powerships and convert three LNG carriers into Floating Storage and Regasification Units (FSRUs), with work commencing in the first quarter of 2027.

The collaboration underscores Seatrium’s strategic ambition to enhance its role in the global floating power infrastructure sector. The integration of Powerships will involve mechanical and electrical equipment integration, mechanical completion, and pre-commissioning. Karpowership will supply the hulls and key equipment for these projects.

Additionally, the conversion of LNG carriers into FSRUs will include the installation of regasification modules and the integration of systems such as cargo handling and automation. This initiative is part of Seatrium’s broader commitment to advancing sustainable and scalable maritime energy solutions.

Alvin Gan, Executive Vice President of Repairs and Upgrades at Seatrium, highlighted the significance of the partnership, stating, “This LOI marks a pivotal step in our journey to build a global franchise in floating power infrastructure.” Gokhan Kocak, Chief Technical Operations Officer at Karpowership, added, “We are proud to deepen our long-term partnership with Seatrium as we continue to grow our Powership and FSRU fleet.”

This agreement not only strengthens the partnership between the two companies but also positions them as key players in providing flexible and sustainable energy solutions worldwide.
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Trip.com is set to make its inaugural appearance at the NATAS Travel Fair 2025, taking place from 15-17 August at Singapore Expo Halls 5 and 6. At Booth 5H45, the global travel service provider will showcase 33 exclusive package tours, including group, private, and custom trips, alongside enticing promotions on flights, hotels, and attractions.

Visitors can expect special airfare deals with return flights from Singapore to destinations such as Shanghai for (S$299), Bangkok for (S$169), and Taipei for (S$249), available on China Eastern Airlines, Thai Airways, and China Airlines. Hotel flash sales will feature rates starting from (S$41) per night in Bangkok and (S$40) per night in Batam, extending to premium hotels in Taipei and popular destinations like Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

Additionally, Trip.com is offering buy-one-get-one-free attraction deals, including Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast and Genting SkyWorlds Theme Park. Cruise enthusiasts can enjoy (S$300) off Royal Caribbean bookings.

Beyond travel deals, Trip.com is enhancing the visitor experience with rewards such as the Instant Lucky Grab, where attendees can win merchandise by downloading the Trip.com app. Purchases over (S$10) qualify for the Lucky Box draw, offering prizes like a 4-day Penang cruise and hotel stays. Exclusive banking partnerships with DBS/POSB, Citibank, and Standard Chartered provide up to (S$100) off flights and hotels, whilst offline-exclusive codes offer up to (S$300) off business class flights.

Edmund Ong, General Manager of Trip.com Singapore, expressed enthusiasm about the debut, stating, “We hope to engage with travellers from all walks of life and combine our digital expertise with physical presence to create new value and experiences for Singapore travellers.”

Trip.com’s participation promises to deliver a seamless and inspiring travel experience, aligning with its commitment to modern travel solutions.
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Interactive Brokers has launched its IBKR Lite pricing plan in Singapore, offering investors a commission-free way to trade US stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) around the clock. This new plan provides true cost transparency, eliminating platform, settlement fees, and minimums, thus facilitating low-cost access to the US markets for Singaporean investors.

The IBKR Lite plan complements the existing IBKR Pro plan, allowing clients to switch between the two based on their trading needs. Both plans offer access to Interactive Brokers’ award-winning platforms and global market access. Yujun Lin, CEO of Interactive Brokers Singapore, stated, “With IBKR Lite, clients benefit from cost-effective access to the US markets, with zero commissions and no platform or settlement fees.”

Key features of IBKR Lite include:

– Zero commissions on US stocks and ETFs, available 24/5
– No platform or settlement fees, ticket charges, or account minimums
– Transparent, low commissions on options, futures, and mutual funds
– Participation in the Stock Yield Enhancement Programme
– Competitive interest on uninvested cash balances and low margin loan interest rates

Singapore-based investors will also enjoy access to over 160 global markets, trading in up to 28 currencies, and the use of modern platforms like IBKR Desktop and IBKR GlobalTrader. Additional features include overnight trading on over 10,000 US stocks and ETFs, fractional shares, recurring investments, and AI-powered news summaries.

This initiative underscores Interactive Brokers’ commitment to providing the best value and trading experience globally, positioning Singaporean investors to leverage a powerful and transparent platform.
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TIH Limited, a private equity fund company listed on the SGX Mainboard, has announced a total comprehensive deficit of S$1.8 million for the first half of 2025. This financial result is primarily due to a fair value loss on equity investments and rising operating expenses, partially offset by gains in debt investments and fee income.

The company’s recurring fee income from its fund management business decreased to S$2.09 million from S$2.66 million in the same period last year. The net asset value stood at S$132.28 million as of 30 June 2025. The fair value loss on equity investments amounted to S$1.44 million, whilst operating expenses increased to S$3.63 million. However, these losses were somewhat mitigated by a fair value gain on debt investment of S$1.98 million and other operating income of S$2.09 million.

Allen Wang, Executive Director of TIH and CEO of TIH Investment Management Pte. Ltd., commented on the results, stating, “Our focus on disciplined capital deployment and active portfolio management has enabled us to maintain resilience amid a more cautious investment environment.” He emphasised the company’s commitment to expanding third-party fund strategies and exploring strategic investment opportunities in Southeast Asia.

Chairman Kin Chan added that TIH aims to leverage its strong investment track record and regional partnerships to source differentiated opportunities in Southeast Asia and Greater China. He expressed confidence in the company’s ability to navigate market challenges and create sustainable value over the long term.

TIH’s financial performance highlights the challenges faced in the current investment climate, but the company remains optimistic about future opportunities in the region.
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Megachem Limited has announced a 1.7% decrease in revenue for the first half of 2025, totalling S$64.1 million. The decline is attributed to reduced demand for chemicals amid ongoing macroeconomic and geopolitical challenges. Despite the revenue drop, the company’s net profit after tax remained stable at S$1.7 million, excluding the impact of a fire incident in July 2023.

The company, a global provider of speciality chemical solutions, maintains a healthy financial position with a net gearing ratio of 0.25 times. An interim dividend of 0.5 pence per share has been declared for H1 2025. Managing Director Sidney Chew highlighted the resilience of the business amidst global challenges, stating, “Prudent and optimal inventory management will continue to be a key focus area for us.”

Megachem’s new warehouse construction is progressing well, with structural work largely completed. The warehouse is expected to be finished by the end of 2025, which is anticipated to enhance the company’s competitiveness in the long term. The company faces minimal direct impact from US tariffs due to insignificant sales to the US market, but indirect effects are felt through customers’ inventory management difficulties.

Looking ahead, Megachem is bracing for continued uncertainties in the global economy, including US trade policies, geopolitical conflicts, and sluggish economic recovery in China. These factors pose heightened downside risks to the global economy, impacting business conditions in the chemical industry.
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Tech Week Singapore 2025 is set to return on 8-9 October at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre, promising to be a transformative event for the region’s tech landscape. The event will feature Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information, Tan Kiat How, as the Guest of Honour. Organised by CloserStill Media, the event will bring together government officials and senior executives from major companies like Google, Microsoft, and Oracle to explore the boundless potential of Asia’s digital economy.

Building on its award-winning 2024 edition, Tech Week Singapore 2025 will highlight innovations in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation. The event aims to foster collaboration across industries, with over 600 regional and international speakers, including representatives from AI Singapore, The World Bank Group, and the governments of Japan and Canada. Notably, DMEXCO Asia will make its debut, marking the first time Europe’s leading digital marketing event is held in Asia.

The event will feature six co-located shows, including Cloud & AI Infrastructure, DevOps Live, Cyber Security World, Data Centre World, Big Data & AI World, and eCommerce Expo Asia. Each show will offer specialised keynotes and workshops, providing attendees with insights into emerging trends and technologies. Key speakers include Michael Conley from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Sam Cannicott from the UK Government, and Laurence Liew from AI Singapore.

Andy Kiwanuka, Managing Director for Asia Pacific at CloserStill Media, emphasised the event’s role in catalysing collaboration across industries. “With an expanded line-up of industry stakeholders, we have expanded the conversation to include AI and technology’s role in sectors such as digital marketing and eCommerce,” he said. Registration is now open, offering complimentary access to all shows for technology professionals.
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