Regional News

Centurion Corporation Limited has unveiled its Westlite Ubi property, a 1,650-bed Purpose-Built Worker Accommodation (PBWA) in Singapore, which has reached full financial occupancy by April 2025. This development highlights Centurion’s commitment to elevating living standards for migrant workers, aligning with the Ministry of Manpower’s New Dormitory Standards (NDS) well ahead of the 2040 mandate.

Westlite Ubi, located in the Eastern-Central Ubi area, offers modern facilities and amenities that exceed the NDS requirements. These include en-suite toilets, showers, and kitchens in all rooms, providing enhanced convenience for residents. The dormitory also features a minimart, canteen, and barber, ensuring easy access to daily necessities. Additionally, the facility includes a well-equipped gym and privacy corners, promoting both physical and emotional wellbeing.

The Multi-Purpose Hall at Westlite Ubi serves as a communal hub for social activities and can be converted into isolation facilities during emergencies, reflecting Centurion’s pandemic-preparedness plan. The dormitory’s strategic location near major industrial clusters makes it a preferred choice for employers.

Centurion’s CEO, Kong Chee Min, stated, “Westlite Ubi reflects the kind of living environment we believe should be the standard for migrant workers. Every element, from the layout of the rooms to the shared spaces and daily amenities, has been thoughtfully planned with the residents in mind.”

As Centurion continues to upgrade its portfolio, the company remains focused on setting higher standards for worker accommodation, ensuring the wellbeing of residents and meeting evolving regulatory expectations.
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SGX-listed Zheneng Jinjiang Environment has announced a significant increase in its financial performance for the first half of 2025, with net profit attributable to equity holders rising by 60.5% year-on-year to RMB332 million. This growth is attributed to enhanced operational efficiency and increased revenue from its waste-to-energy (WTE) business, which saw revenue climb to RMB1.79 billion.

The company’s gross profit also experienced a notable rise, increasing by 10.1% year-on-year to RMB699.1 million, with the gross profit margin improving by 3.3 percentage points to 38.4%. These gains are largely due to technical upgrades and management optimisation at existing WTE plants, as well as the expansion of grate furnace systems and increased revenue from slag by-products.

Looking ahead, Zheneng Jinjiang Environment is actively expanding its capacity, with six WTE projects currently under construction and 16 more in the planning stages. Upon completion, these projects are expected to boost the company’s total installed waste treatment capacity to 58,205 tonnes per day and 1,212MW.

The company’s strategic focus on improving operational efficiency and expanding capacity underscores its commitment to sustainable growth in the waste management sector. As the demand for efficient waste treatment solutions continues to rise, Zheneng Jinjiang Environment’s ongoing projects are poised to enhance its market position and financial performance further.
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Skyee Pte Ltd has announced the acquisition of a Major Payment Institution (MPI) licence from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), effective from 1 August 2025. This development enables Skyee to provide a wide range of regulated payment services in Singapore, including account issuance, domestic and cross-border money transfers, merchant acquisition, and e-money issuance. The licence marks a significant step in Skyee’s expansion across Southeast Asia, enhancing its ability to streamline payment processing and reduce operational costs for cross-border customers.

The MPI licence is a testament to Skyee’s commitment to regulatory compliance and innovation in the financial technology sector. Since its inception in 2016, Skyee has focused on linking the global financial network and building a new payment system to facilitate cross-border fund transfers. The company’s CEO, Kozen Tan, remarked, “This milestone reflects our deep commitment to regulatory excellence, financial integrity, and delivering secure, innovative payment solutions to our customers across Singapore and the region.”

As Singapore continues to establish itself as a global fintech hub, Skyee’s entry into the market is expected to introduce fresh competition and stimulate further innovation in the payment services sector. With plans for continued product optimisation and regional expansion, Skyee aims to make a lasting impact on the future of fintech in Southeast Asia.

Based in Guangzhou, China, Skyee is a leading cross-border payment fintech company with offices in several major cities worldwide, including Singapore, Los Angeles, and London. The company offers secure and efficient global payment services through its proprietary platform, catering to a diverse range of overseas merchants and enhancing the international payments ecosystem.
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Centurion Corp has announced plans to list its Centurion Accommodation Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), a move expected to unlock significant value for shareholdersm an RHB report said. The company, which remains well-positioned amidst a dormitory supply shortage in Singapore, anticipates better rental rates. The REIT listing is projected to offer a 19% upside, with a forecasted yield of approximately 2% for the financial year 2026.

The company’s first-half earnings for 2025 were in line with expectations, reinforcing confidence in meeting annual estimates. Analyst Alfie Yeo maintains a “BUY” recommendation with a target price of SGD2.01, reflecting the anticipated market value of the REIT assets.

This strategic move comes as Centurion Corp seeks to capitalise on the current market conditions, which favour higher rental yields due to limited dormitory supply. The listing is expected to enhance shareholder value by pegging the REIT assets to market value, thus providing a clearer reflection of their worth.

The announcement is part of a broader trend where companies are leveraging REITs to unlock asset value and provide investors with more transparent investment opportunities. As the market anticipates this listing, Centurion Corp’s strategy underscores its commitment to maximising shareholder returns and adapting to market dynamics.

Looking ahead, the successful listing of the Centurion Accommodation REIT could set a precedent for similar moves by other companies in the sector, potentially reshaping the landscape of real estate investments in Singapore.
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31 Concept, a rising force in network intelligence and cybersecurity, is set to reveal its first patent-pending technology at ISS Asia 2025 in Singapore. This announcement marks a significant milestone for the company, which has emerged from stealth mode after just seven months of development within its 31 Concept Research Lab.

The innovative technology, developed by a team of experts in deep packet inspection, AI-driven analytics, and advanced networking, aims to tackle real-world challenges at scale. CEO and Co-Founder Misha Hanin stated, “Our patent-pending technology is the direct result of the unique expertise and relentless drive inside our Research Lab. We built this in record time without compromising on quality or innovation.”

ISS Asia, a leading conference for intelligence, security, and law enforcement technologies, will serve as the platform for 31 Concept’s debut. The event attracts leaders from government, telecom, and private industry, providing an ideal venue for showcasing the company’s advancements.

Boriss Heismann, CTO of 31 Concept, highlighted the rapid development process, saying, “The speed at which the 31 Concept Research Lab turned a concept into a patent-pending reality shows the strength of our people and our process. This is technology designed to address the most pressing needs in network visibility, security, and performance.”

The presentation at ISS Asia 2025 will not only demonstrate the capabilities of the new platform but also outline future innovations currently in development. 31 Concept continues to focus on next-generation data intelligence platforms for telecom providers, governments, and regulated industries.
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Singapore’s vibrant musical heritage will be celebrated at the Sing60 Music Festival, a two-day event taking place on 6 and 7 December 2025 at Fort Canning Park. Organised by The Rice Company Limited and produced by Global Cultural Alliance, the festival aims to showcase the evolution of Singapore’s music over the past 60 years through a dynamic, multi-stage outdoor event.

The festival will feature performances from renowned local artists such as Mavis Hee, Charlie Lim, and Benjamin Kheng, alongside emerging talents. The event will also include rare reunions and collaborations in the Bandwagon Sessions, curated by Bandwagon, a leading Southeast Asian music media platform. Additionally, Bunker B2B will offer back-to-back DJ sets in a WWII bunker setting, highlighting the continuity of Singapore’s electronic music scene.

Sing60 is not just about music; it also aims to support the next generation of musicians. Every ticket sold will fund access for a child or youth from an underserved background, with initiatives like Gift-A-Guitar providing instruments and music education. “Sing60 Music Festival is a powerful statement on the strength and diversity of Singapore’s homegrown music,” said Nicholas Tee, Festival Director.

Tickets are available via SISTIC, with prices starting at $40 (£32) for a one-day pass and $60 (£48) for a two-day pass. Early bird promotions are available until 31 August. The festival promises to be a cultural milestone, celebrating Singapore’s musical legacy whilst investing in its future.
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Singapore’s Ascott Limited and Malaysia’s Coronade Properties have signed a Hotel Management Agreement, marking Ascott’s entry into Johor Bahru. The new hotel will be strategically located within Coronation Square, directly connected to the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link, which is set to commence operations by the end of 2026. This development aims to cater to business travellers, tourists, and long-term residents.

The RTS Link, a significant infrastructure project, is expected to facilitate the movement of 10,000 passengers per hour in each direction, reducing travel time between Woodlands North and Bukit Chagar to approximately five minutes. This connectivity is anticipated to enhance the economic integration between Singapore and Johor, as highlighted by the recent Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) Agreement signed in January.

The JS-SEZ is designed to leverage the complementary strengths of Singapore and Johor, attracting international investments and fostering economic growth. The collaboration aims to improve cross-border goods connectivity, enable freer movement of people, and strengthen the regional business ecosystem.

Minister of State for Trade and Industry Alvin Tan emphasised the cultural and economic ties between Singapore and Johor, stating, “The success of the JS-SEZ and greater economic integration is not just the result of our geographic proximity, but a cultural familiarity reflected in our strong people-to-people ties, and deep economic cooperation.”

The partnership between Ascott and Coronade is expected to contribute significantly to the region’s economic landscape, aligning with the broader goals of the JS-SEZ and the RTS Link project.
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The People’s Association (PA) is set to transform Singapore’s neighbourhoods into vibrant art spaces as part of the PAssionArts Festival 2025. In celebration of Singapore’s 60th birthday, the Giant Delight SG60 Edition will showcase 18 large-scale art installations, co-created by Community Arts & Culture Clubs (CACCs), local artists, and residents. These installations will be unveiled across the island from August 2025, under the theme “Our Neighbourhood Gems.”

The Giant Delight installations offer customisable canvases for artists and residents to depict their unique neighbourhood stories. Through community art workshops organised by the CACCs, participants have transformed blank canvases into vibrant public art celebrating local life. The installations come in two formats: the Mega Giant Delight series, featuring five district-level installations with interconnected hexagonal pods, and 13 smaller installations with unique structures.

Tan Swee Leng, Director of Arts & Culture Division at PA, highlighted the significance of these installations: “The Giant Delight installations are a highlight of our SG60 PAssionArts Festival celebration, with each telling a unique neighbourhood story crafted in partnership with the district, their artist and residents.”

The Mega Giant Delight installations are immersive collaborations led by artists and CACCs. Notable examples include “Living Side by Side” in the North East District, which highlights urban wildlife, and “Cheers Singapore” in the South East District, celebrating culinary diversity.

Three Mega Giant Delight installations will be anchor attractions at the National Day Heartland Celebrations on 10 August 2025. The remaining 13 installations will be launched progressively from the end of August 2025, with displays running until March 2026. These creative collaborations aim to bring art closer to the heartlands, celebrating Singapore’s diverse neighbourhood stories.
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A recent study by Milieu Insight has unveiled a significant shift in Singaporeans’ attitudes towards education, with a growing emphasis on mental well-being and soft skills over traditional academic achievements. Conducted online between 26 June and 17 July 2025, the study surveyed 1,000 Singaporeans aged 16 to 55 and found that whilst 73% express satisfaction with the current education system, there is an increasing recognition of the importance of communication and critical thinking skills.

The study highlights that parents, particularly those aged 25 to 34, are heavily investing in tuition, with 40% spending between $300 and $499 monthly. Despite this, nearly half of the parents acknowledge the significant academic stress their children face. Interestingly, only 40% believe their child’s performance would decline without tuition, indicating a shift in the perceived necessity of extra academic support.

Mental well-being emerged as the top priority for children’s future success, followed by communication and collaboration skills. This reflects a broader trend towards valuing holistic success over academic credentials. Additionally, 38% of respondents now view a university degree as only moderately important, with many favouring real-world experience and alternative education paths such as apprenticeships and skills-based workshops.

Juda Kanaprach of Milieu Insight commented, “The data paints a clear picture: whilst academic achievement and degrees still matter, Singaporeans are becoming increasingly mindful of soft skills, well-being, and alternative educational paths.” This evolving mindset suggests that Singapore’s education system is poised for transformation to align with the changing demands of society and the workforce.
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Sembcorp Industries is focusing on mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and capital recycling to drive future growth, according to a recent report by CGS International. The company, which faced a dip in profits from its gas and related services in the first half of 2025, is looking to offset these challenges by leveraging synergies from Senoko Energy and exploring new opportunities in the Middle East.

In the first half of 2025, Sembcorp reported a net profit of $392 million (S$536 million), a 1% year-on-year decrease, largely due to a weaker performance in its gas and related services segment. This was attributed to the absence of one-off gas-related gains and high-priced renewable energy imports from Malaysia. However, the company expects an improved performance in the second half of the year, with Senoko Energy projected to contribute significantly to profits.

Sembcorp is also exploring capital recycling of mature renewable energy assets in India, where it currently has an installed capacity of 3.3 gigawatts. The company anticipates that this strategy could be realised by the end of 2025 or early 2026. Additionally, Sembcorp is pursuing M&A opportunities in the Middle East, aiming for deals that could yield earnings accretion of around $73 million (S$100 million).

Despite the challenges, Sembcorp maintains a positive outlook, with a target price of $5.88 (S$8.02) based on a 13x price-to-earnings ratio for 2026. The company remains committed to enhancing shareholder value through strategic initiatives and operational improvements.
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