Regional News

Young Singaporeans are increasingly viewing property as a reliable means of wealth accumulation, yet many face significant challenges in achieving homeownership, according to ERA Singapore’s “My Dream Home Survey 2025.” The survey, conducted in collaboration with Ngee Ann Polytechnic, highlights that 87% of Gen Zs and Young Millennials consider property a dependable investment, but 45% find it difficult to invest due to affordability issues, high interest rates, and property taxes.

The survey, which gathered responses from over 1,100 individuals, reveals that nearly one-third of young Singaporeans expect to purchase their first home only after five years. This delay reflects the financial hurdles they face, with 37% citing affordability as their main challenge. Marcus Chu, CEO of ERA Singapore, noted, “Home ownership continues to hold deep meaning for young Singaporeans – it’s both a reflection of their lifestyle and identity, as well as a symbol of stability.”

Despite these challenges, young Singaporeans are not deterred. The survey indicates a strategic approach to homeownership, with many planning long-term and building financial knowledge early. This trend is significant as it suggests a shift in how younger generations are navigating the complex housing market.

The findings underscore the importance of understanding the evolving aspirations and challenges of young homebuyers. As the property landscape continues to change, these insights will be crucial for industry stakeholders aiming to meet the needs of future homeowners.

XCL World Academy (XWA), a prominent international school in Singapore, has inaugurated a new Early and Primary Years campus designed for children aged 18 months to 11 years. The campus aims to nurture globally minded, bilingual, and future-ready learners through inquiry-led education and the innovative use of artificial intelligence (AI) and technology.

The opening ceremony, held on 22 October, was attended by Members of Parliament for Nee Soon GRC, Lee Hui Ying and Syed Harun Alhabsyi, alongside distinguished guests from various embassies and chambers of commerce. XWA’s educators, students, and families also celebrated the launch.

Tammy Murphy, Head of School, emphasised the school’s commitment to lifelong learning beyond exams, stating, “We prioritise education that equips students for life, not just academic tests.” The new campus encourages young learners to explore ideas, use technology creatively, and connect their learning to the world around them.

The school integrates AI literacy, bilingual pathways, and future-ready competencies from the earliest years through its inquiry-based International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme and the XCLerate framework. This framework focuses on creative arts, global citizenship, student leadership, community action, entrepreneurship, and digital literacy.

The bilingual programme features English and Chinese co-teaching, with additional language options in French, Spanish, and Japanese. The campus also includes dedicated spaces for arts, design, science, and wellbeing, alongside an Innovation Hub and an eSports arena.

The new facilities underscore XWA’s commitment to developing confident, empathetic, and future-ready global citizens, prepared to lead change in an increasingly digital-first world.

Frasers Centrepoint Asset Management Ltd. (FCAM), the manager of Frasers Centrepoint Trust (FCT), has announced a distribution per unit (DPU) of 6.059 pence for the second half of 2025, culminating in a total DPU of 12.113 pence for the financial year ending 30 September 2025. This strong performance is attributed to the acquisition of Northpoint City South Wing for $1.17b, cementing FCT’s position as Singapore’s largest suburban retail mall owner.

The acquisition, completed in May 2025, alongside the divestment of Yishun 10 Retail Podium for $34.5m, reflects FCT’s proactive portfolio management strategy. Richard Ng, CEO of FCAM, highlighted the resilience of FCT’s suburban retail portfolio and the success of its asset management strategies. “FCT has delivered another strong set of results for FY25,” he stated.

FCT’s financial health remains robust, with gross revenue for FY25 rising 10.8% year-on-year to $389.6m, and net property income increasing by 9.7% to $278.0m. The retail portfolio’s committed occupancy stands at 98.1%, with a rental reversion of +7.8% year-on-year. Shopper traffic and tenant sales also saw increases of 1.6% and 3.7% respectively.

The trust’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its green financing initiatives, with 90.1% of its borrowings now in green loans. Additionally, FCT’s efforts in sustainability were recognised with a 5-Star rating in the 2025 GRESB Real Estate Assessment.

Looking forward, FCT plans to continue enhancing its assets through asset enhancement initiatives and other portfolio strategies, supported by Singapore’s resilient suburban retail sector. The limited supply of new retail space in Singapore is expected to underpin the sector’s stability and growth.

Sabana Industrial Real Estate Investment Trust (Sabana REIT) has announced a 38.4% year-on-year increase in income available for distribution per unit, reaching 1.01 pence for the third quarter of 2025. This growth is attributed to a surge in occupancy at New Tech Park, which reached a 12-year high of 94.7% as of 30 September 2025.

Gross revenue for the quarter rose by 5.3% to $29.9m, driven by higher occupancy rates at several properties, including New Tech Park and 33 Penjuru Lane. The net property income also saw a significant increase of 16% year-on-year, totalling $16.9m. This was supported by positive rental reversions of 11.3%, marking the 19th consecutive quarter of such growth.

New Tech Park, a key asset in Sabana REIT’s portfolio, has consistently outperformed the average business park occupancy in Singapore, which stands at 76.7%. The park’s occupancy increased from 86% in June 2025 to 94.7% by the end of September, contributing significantly to the REIT’s overall portfolio occupancy improvement to 87%.

The REIT’s management, led by Chairman Tan Cheong Hin and CEO Donald Han, expressed optimism about future growth, anticipating a double-digit percentage increase in income available for distribution per unit for the full year 2025. They highlighted ongoing asset enhancement initiatives and sustainability efforts, including solar energy generation, as key strategies for future-proofing the REIT.

Sabana REIT aims to become one of Singapore’s first carbon-neutral industrial REITs by 2040, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable growth. The REIT has been recognised as the best-performing S-REIT in terms of total return, achieving a 34.2% return for the first nine months of the year.

A recent survey conducted by Ipsos and sponsored by GSK has revealed that nearly 70% of Singaporeans aged 50 and above underestimate their risk of contracting shingles, a condition also known as herpes zoster. Whilst 63% of this demographic are aware of the disease, only 29% recognise that one in three individuals may develop shingles in their lifetime. Furthermore, just 25% intend to consult their doctors about prevention within the next three months.

The survey highlights a significant gap in understanding the potential complications associated with shingles. Only 44% of respondents were aware that having had shingles increases the risk of heart attack and stroke, whilst 36% understood that the risk of shingles is higher for those with chronic health conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, or diabetes.

Dr Asok Kurup from Mount Elizabeth Hospital emphasised the prevalence of the virus, stating, “In Singapore, more than 90% of adults aged 50 years or over carry this virus. This means one in three will eventually develop shingles.” The survey also found that 70% of respondents could identify common symptoms like painful rashes, and 60% were aware of long-term complications such as postherpetic neuralgia.

To address these gaps, GSK has launched an initiative involving community ambassadors aged 50 and above to promote shingles awareness. These ambassadors share personal stories and encourage peers to discuss prevention with their doctors. The initiative aims to enhance understanding and encourage proactive health measures among older adults in Singapore.

Jewel Changi Airport has extended its strategic collaboration with Mastercard for another three years, following a successful partnership that began in October 2022. This renewal aims to continue driving visitor spending and enhancing experiences through exclusive Mastercard cardholder privileges across retail, dining, and leisure offerings at Jewel.

Over the past three years, Mastercard transaction volumes at Jewel have shown consistent growth, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 20% in card transactions. Jewel launched 30 marketing campaigns during this period to stimulate spending, encouraging the use of Mastercard.

The renewed collaboration will leverage Mastercard’s global network and data analytics to refine marketing strategies, targeting both local and international visitors. Mastercard plans to reward tourists with exclusive vouchers and promotions, capitalising on Jewel’s status as a key lifestyle destination, where international visitors account for 35% of footfall.

Lee Ching Wern, CEO of Jewel Changi Airport Development, expressed enthusiasm for the continued partnership, stating, “Mastercard is a long-standing partner of Jewel and we are pleased to continue our collaboration with them for another three years.” Deborah Heng, Country Manager, Singapore, Mastercard, highlighted the importance of creating meaningful experiences, noting, “By combining Mastercard’s innovation with Jewel’s world-class attractions, this collaboration delivers elevated experiences that inspire loyalty.”

The partnership will focus on rolling out more marketing campaigns and enhancing visitor experiences through engaging events and activations, aiming to drive return visits and enrich the overall visitor experience at Jewel.

GAsiaPacific, a Malaysian cloud service provider and subsidiary of K-One Technology Berhad, has attained the prestigious AWS Premier Tier Services Partner status within the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Partner Network. This accolade, announced on 22 October, recognises GAsiaPacific’s technical expertise, customer success, and collaboration with AWS.

Since becoming one of Malaysia’s earliest AWS partners in 2013, GAsiaPacific has been at the forefront of cloud adoption in the region. The company has facilitated rapid scaling for startups, guided enterprises through complex migrations, and driven digital transformation in the public sector. “Reaching Premier Tier with AWS is both an honour and a responsibility,” said Mark Goh, CEO and co-founder of GAsiaPacific. “It reinforces our commitment to push the boundaries of what cloud technology can deliver.”

GAsiaPacific’s achievement is underscored by its status as the first Malaysian-born partner to earn the AWS Migration and Modernisation Services Competency and the only Premier Tier Partner in Malaysia with AWS Managed Services Provider specialisation. The company has been recognised multiple times as AWS Partner of the Year in Malaysia, further cementing its reputation for excellence.

By joining the exclusive global community of AWS Premier Tier partners, GAsiaPacific enhances its ability to deliver transformative outcomes for customers. This status provides enhanced access to AWS resources and co-innovation opportunities, benefiting organisations across financial services, telecommunications, manufacturing, retail, and education sectors. As a leading cloud partner in Asia Pacific, GAsiaPacific is committed to helping businesses innovate and thrive in the digital economy.

Bluwhale has secured $10m in a Series A funding round led by United Overseas Bank’s (UOB) venture arm, marking a significant step in the integration of AI and blockchain in financial services. The funding, announced on 22 October 2025, underscores the growing trend of institutional investment in digital assets, with Bluwhale’s decentralised AI network already serving over 3.6 million users globally.

UOB Venture Management, a subsidiary of one of the world’s top 100 banks, spearheaded the investment, alongside notable backers such as SBI Holdings and top blockchain platforms including Sui, Tezos, and Cardano. This investment highlights the industry’s shift towards real-world applications of blockchain and AI technologies.

Han Jin, CEO of Bluwhale, stated, “The investors in this round signal strong commitments from both Web2 and Web3 to a future powered by AI agents delivering financial services across blockchains.” The company’s approach combines AI agents with a user’s financial health score, offering personalised financial services to a tech-savvy Gen Z audience.

The recent Token Generation Event introduced $BLUAI, Bluwhale’s native token, further expanding its ecosystem. This move aims to enhance the scalability and interoperability of AI applications across multiple blockchain platforms.

Bluwhale’s strategic partnerships and funding will drive its mission to integrate AI into everyday financial applications, targeting the digital-first younger generation. As Jin noted, “Gen Z will need AI agent-managed financial services,” emphasising the shift away from traditional banking methods.

With this funding, Bluwhale is poised to accelerate digital transformation in financial services, leveraging AI and blockchain to meet the evolving needs of modern consumers.

Investment sales in Singapore experienced a significant rebound in the third quarter of 2025, with total transactions reaching S$11.09b, nearly doubling from the S$5.66b recorded in the second quarter. This growth was bolstered by declining interest rates and supportive regulatory reforms, according to Savills’ latest briefing.

The residential sector led the charge, accounting for 45.1% of the market, with investment sales soaring to nearly S$5b—more than twice the amount from the previous quarter. The commercial sector also saw a substantial increase, with sales hitting S$2.52b, up from S$426.9 million in Q2. This was largely due to several high-value transactions and renewed interest in strata-titled units and shophouses.

Despite a 26.7% quarter-on-quarter decline in the industrial sector, which totalled S$1.05b, Singapore Real Estate Investment Trusts (S-REITs) remained active, benefiting from a positive market environment. Private-sector transactions in this segment surpassed those in the first and second quarters of the year.

Savills has revised its forecast for 2025, projecting total investment sales to reach between S$28b and S$30b, up from an earlier estimate of S$20b. The firm anticipates that favourable market conditions will persist into 2026, potentially maintaining the high investment sales values seen this year.

DBS Group Research has released a report titled “Singapore: The Next 15 Years of Quality and Inclusive Growth,” highlighting the nation’s economic trajectory towards 2040. The report anticipates Singapore’s GDP to more than double from $547 b in 2024 to between $1.2t and $1.4t  by 2040. This growth is expected to be driven by capital accumulation, human capital, and productivity gains, with services playing a pivotal role.

The report identifies five sectors—trade and connectivity, financial services, energy and climate, real estate, and healthcare/social services—as crucial to enhancing Singapore’s international competitiveness. These sectors are expected to underpin nearly three-quarters of the nominal gross value-added, reinforcing Singapore’s position as a global entrepôt and financial hub.

A significant highlight is the potential strengthening of the Singapore dollar, which could reach parity with the US dollar by 2040. This is attributed to disciplined policy and the currency’s safe-haven appeal. Additionally, the Straits Times Index (STI) is projected to rise significantly, potentially reaching nearly 10,000 by 2040, driven by liquidity reforms and global inflows.

Timothy Wong, Group Head of DBS Group Research, emphasised the importance of resilience and adaptability in navigating future challenges, stating, “The path ahead will demand vigilance, disciplined governance, and agility in balancing growth with sustainability and social resilience.”

As Singapore approaches its 75th year of independence in 2040, the report underscores the nation’s potential for enduring value creation amidst a fast-changing global landscape.