Regional News

The October 2025 Build-To-Order (BTO) application results have shown a significant interest in Bukit Merah’s 4-room flats, with 5,111 applicants marking the highest demand across all flat types and towns. This surge in interest, despite higher prices and clawback rates for Prime flats, was anticipated by Realion (OrangeTee & ETC) Group’s Chief Researcher and Strategist, Christine Sun. She noted that buyers are keen on the first-mover advantage of owning the first HDB flats in the area, with limited resale options and private condominiums priced over $1.46m (S$2m).

Yishun Chencharu also saw a strong response, particularly for its 2-room flexi flats, which attracted many first-timer singles. Over 1,400 applications were received for the 3-room and larger flats. The project’s appeal lies in its proximity to schools and the MRT station, along with a short waiting time and a five-year Minimum Occupation Period (MOP), offering buyers a quicker market exit compared to Prime and Plus flats.

The application rates for first-timer singles in areas like Bedok, Bishan, and Jurong East exceeded 14, highlighting a strong desire for new flats despite longer MOP periods and stringent resale criteria. This trend underscores a genuine need for affordable housing options for singles, who previously faced higher costs with resale flats or private homes.

Conversely, community care apartments saw less interest, with an application rate below 1. Many applicants preferred the 2-room flexi flats in Yishun Chenchuru, which offer a shorter completion time and lower pricing. A new scheme prioritising families applying for two flats within the same project may have also influenced these choices.

Booking.com has unveiled its Travel Predictions report for 2026, highlighting a shift towards ultra-personalised travel experiences. Drawing insights from over 29,000 travellers across 33 countries, the report identifies ten key trends that will define the travel landscape. These trends reflect a growing desire for journeys that are tailored to individual interests, facilitated by advancements in technology.

Among the standout trends is the rise of “Romantasy Retreats,” where 83% of Singaporean travellers express interest in destinations inspired by fantasy genres. Additionally, 63% are open to participating in role-play retreats based on their favourite fantasy narratives. This trend underscores a broader movement towards immersive travel experiences that allow individuals to step into the worlds of their favourite stories.

Another significant trend is the evolution of vacation homes into “Humanoid Homes,” where 85% of Singaporeans are open to staying in properties enhanced by robotic technology. This includes features like cleaning bots and robotic chefs, highlighting a shift towards futuristic comfort and convenience.

The report also notes a trend towards “Roadtrip Rewired,” with 87% of Singaporean travellers open to carpooling during vacations, transforming road trips into opportunities for connection and shared experiences.

Anthony Lu, Regional Director of Southeast Asia and China at Booking.com, commented on the findings: “We anticipate travel demand from Singapore travellers to remain robust in 2026, as many seek experiences to pursue their passions and embrace new adventures that resonate with their love for culture, convenience, and innovation.”

As travel becomes more individualised, these trends suggest a future where technology and personal interests converge, offering travellers unique and meaningful experiences.

In a surprising shift within the Singapore stock market, more than 20 stocks outside the top 100 by market capitalisation have emerged as significant players in trading activity this year. These stocks, spanning the Industrials, Technology, and Energy sectors, have collectively achieved an average daily turnover (ADT) of $31.3m (S$42.9m), despite a combined market cap of $5.95b (S$8.15b).

Industrials, Technology, and Energy stocks make up nearly 80% of this group, reflecting global trends such as infrastructure demand, AI adoption, and a pivot towards renewable energy. Notable performers include CNMC Goldmine, Oiltek International, Parkson Retail, and LHN, which have seen substantial increases in trading activity in the second half of 2025 compared to the first half, as well as year-on-year growth.

The list of 22 stocks includes 10 constituents of the FTSE ST Mid & Small Cap Index and seven from the iEdge Next 50 Index. Despite their smaller market caps, these stocks are attracting significant institutional flows, with a net inflow of $96.7m (S$132.35m) recorded in 2025. CSE Global leads with $23.5m (S$32.10m) in net institutional inflow, followed by Geo Energy Resources and Wee Hur Holdings.

This trend highlights the growing interest in smaller-cap stocks, which are increasingly seen as viable investment opportunities. Looking forward, the ability of these sectors to maintain their trading momentum will depend on the resolution of trade policy uncertainties and the potential for new trade agreements, as noted by the International Monetary Fund.

Ubisoft Singapore has upgraded its Studio Blue with Neumann studio monitors, enhancing its audio production capabilities. The studio, now the first in Southeast Asia to be Dolby Atmos-enabled, features eleven Neumann KH 80 DSPs and a KH 810 subwoofer. This setup aims to deliver precision and clarity in sound design, elevating the immersive experience for players worldwide.

The transformation of Studio Blue, previously known as Studio A, marks a significant leap from a traditional 5.1 setup to a Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 configuration. This upgrade allows for more precise sound placement in three-dimensional space, crucial for immersive gameplay. Nicolas Ow, Associate Lead Audio Designer at Ubisoft Singapore, noted, “The jump from 5.1 to Dolby Atmos felt like the natural next step.”

The choice of Neumann monitors was pivotal. Erik-Jon Evangelista, Audio Director at Ubisoft Singapore, explained, “We chose Neumann for its sonic characteristics and consistent sound across the entire range of KH monitors.” This consistency ensures that audio mixes translate reliably across various consumer systems.

Ubisoft Singapore, established in 2008, has been a leader in AAA game development in the region. Known for its expertise in naval gameplay and water technology, the studio continues to push the boundaries of immersive storytelling. With nearly 500 employees, the studio’s commitment to cutting-edge audio technology underscores its role in the global gaming industry.

Forrester has unveiled its first Total Experience Score rankings for Singapore’s financial services sector, highlighting a significant gap between brand promises and customer experiences. The 2025 report shows that whilst Citibank, HSBC, and Raffles Health Insurance excel in their respective sectors, most firms struggle to deliver consistent experiences that foster trust and loyalty.

The Total Experience Score, a composite measure derived from Forrester’s Brand Experience Index and Customer Experience Index, evaluates perceptions formed by both customers and noncustomers through their interactions with a brand. This score is unique in its ability to assess brand impact across the entire customer lifecycle, providing insights for customer experience, marketing, and digital business leaders to pinpoint key drivers of brand and customer experience, trust levers, and influential emotions.

Forrester’s findings indicate that only a few financial services firms in Singapore manage to align their brand promises with the experiences they deliver. This misalignment poses challenges in building long-term customer loyalty. The report underscores the importance of understanding the emotional factors that affect a brand’s ability to attract, retain, and serve customers effectively.

As the financial services landscape in Singapore evolves, firms are urged to focus on bridging the gap between their brand promises and the actual customer experience to maintain competitiveness and foster enduring customer relationships

The latest Digital 2026 report from Meltwater and We Are Social highlights significant milestones in global digital behaviour, with internet users now exceeding 6 billion worldwide. This comprehensive analysis also reveals that social media users constitute nearly 70% of the global population, whilst over 1 billion people engage with AI-powered tools monthly.

The report underscores the rapid evolution of digital landscapes, particularly in Southeast Asia and Singapore. In Singapore, internet adoption is remarkably high, with 98.9% of the population online. The nation ranks 16th globally for ChatGPT usage among individuals aged 16 and above, with 37.1% of Singaporeans using the AI tool, surpassing the global average of 26.5%.

Social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube are widely used in Singapore, with 56.5% and 71.6% of the population engaging with these platforms, respectively. Interestingly, Singaporeans prefer search engines over social media for brand discovery, with 34.2% using search engines compared to 29.5% relying on social media.

Online shopping is prevalent, with 58.8% of Singaporeans making weekly purchases online, indicating a preference for digital over physical retail. Additionally, 63.7% of Singaporeans pay for digital content monthly, slightly below the global average of 67%.

The report also highlights concerns about online misinformation, with 71.1% of Singaporeans expressing worry. These insights provide a detailed view of the shifting digital ecosystem, influencing how businesses and individuals interact online. Country-level reports offering deeper insights into Singapore’s digital trends are expected next month.

Malaysia has expanded its deployment of BlackBerry’s secure communications solutions for the 46th and 47th ASEAN Summits, enhancing mobile command and control capabilities. The 47th Summit, scheduled from 26 to 28 October in Kuala Lumpur, will see the use of BlackBerry AtHoc and BlackBerry SecuSUITE to secure interagency coordination and protect sensitive communications.

The ASEAN Summits, coordinated by Malaysia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the ASEAN Main Logistics Secretariat (SILA), involve over 500 meetings and thousands of personnel. Following a successful deployment at the 46th Summit, SILA has increased its use of BlackBerry’s platform to safeguard operations against advanced signal intelligence threats.

BlackBerry AtHoc, a critical event management platform, enables real-time mobile coordination, whilst BlackBerry SecuSUITE provides military-grade secure voice and messaging solutions. Raja Saifful Ridzuwan Raja Kamaruddin, Head of SILA, noted that “around 80% of our interagency communications are secured” with BlackBerry, ensuring the safety of heads of state and officials.

John Giamatteo, CEO of BlackBerry, highlighted Malaysia’s leadership in secure communications, stating, “BlackBerry is honoured to support SILA and the Government of Malaysia with advanced military-grade solutions.”

During the 46th Summit, 100 liaison officers used BlackBerry AtHoc for secure alerts and coordination. The 47th Summit will expand this to 150 officers, all equipped with AtHoc and SecuSUITE on iOS and Android devices, ensuring secure communication with delegations and reducing device needs.

The technology mirrors standards used in the 2018 and 2025 G7 Summits, setting a benchmark for operational resilience and interagency collaboration.

Manus AI and Heicoders Academy have joined forces to introduce GA100: Generative AI Course for Automation and Productivity, Singapore’s inaugural hands-on AI agent upskilling course. This initiative, announced on 22 October 2025, is designed to equip working professionals with the skills to design and deploy AI agents, aligning with the national push for AI readiness. The course aims to transform AI from a buzzword into a practical workplace capability.

The six-week programme offers 24 hours of live, practitioner-led lessons, complemented by guided labs and mentorship from active AI engineers. Participants will learn to design, build, test, and deploy autonomous AI agents capable of automating tasks across various domains such as research, operations, and customer engagement. The curriculum focuses on the plan, act, and reflect loop, enabling students to understand decision-making processes and real-time tool orchestration.

Targeted at mid-career professionals aged 25 to 45, the course includes complimentary access to Manus AI’s sandbox and involves real business challenges. Participants will graduate with a Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) Certificate, a nationally recognised credential. Course fees can be offset using SkillsFuture Credits, with additional support options available for eligible participants.

Beh Min Yan, CEO and co-founder of Heicoders Academy, stated, “GA100 is designed for practitioners – learners don’t just learn about AI agents; they build and apply them to solve real business challenges.” Zhang Tao, co-founder of Manus AI, added, “By putting Manus AI directly in the classroom, professionals get hands-on with the planning, acting, and orchestration patterns that matter in real environments.”

This partnership underscores Singapore’s commitment to becoming a regional hub for agentic AI, with Manus AI having relocated its global headquarters to Singapore in July 2025.

Citibank has been ranked as the leading bank in Singapore for total experience, according to the inaugural report by global research and advisory firm Forrester. The report, released on 22 October 2025, evaluated six banks in Singapore, combining brand and customer experience scores to determine the rankings. This recognition highlights Citibank’s commitment to holistic client service and innovation.

The Total Experience Score, a composite of Forrester’s Brand Experience (BX) Index and Customer Experience (CX) Index, measures perceptions formed by both customers and non-customers through their interactions with a brand. Yeo Wenxian, Citibank Singapore’s CEO, stated, “This ranking validates Citibank’s commitment to serving our clients holistically and reflects our strong global brand among customers and non-customers.”

In the past year, Citibank has introduced numerous initiatives to enhance customer experience, including digital enhancements that streamline transaction authorisation and improve eBrokerage services.

Gourab Kundu, Head of Digital Growth for Asia South Wealth, noted, “We will continue to boost our client experience and build on our ranking.” Citibank plans further enhancements, including app improvements for wealth customers and productivity tools for client advisers.

Citibank’s achievements underscore its role as a leading banking partner, providing a wide range of financial products and services across more than 180 countries.

Global professional services firm GHD has announced the appointment of Tara Herley and Jason Fonti to key leadership roles, aiming to drive infrastructure growth across Southeast Asia. Herley will serve as Business Group Leader, Infrastructure Advisory – Southeast Asia, whilst Fonti takes on the role of Head of Infrastructure Investment & Capital Projects – APAC. These appointments reflect GHD’s ambition to expand its advisory services and investment capabilities in the region.

Herley, with extensive experience in the APAC infrastructure sector, will focus on expanding GHD’s advisory services. Her expertise spans transport, energy, resources, and digital technology. “We’re seeing a surge in investor appetite across Southeast Asia,” Herley stated, emphasising the firm’s readiness to connect global capital with regional opportunities.

Fonti, who has over two decades of experience in infrastructure transactions and capital projects, highlighted Singapore’s strategic role as a financial and innovation hub. “We’re building a capability that enables clients to deploy capital with confidence,” he said, underscoring the importance of combining technical depth with commercial insight.

These strategic appointments come as GHD accelerates its growth strategy in Southeast Asia, aiming to deepen relationships with infrastructure investors and government stakeholders. The firm is committed to supporting clients throughout the infrastructure delivery lifecycle, from strategy and investment readiness to execution and optimisation.

Nick Pohl, APAC Business Advisory Leader, noted, “Jason and Tara’s appointments mark a step-change in our ambition,” reflecting GHD’s intent to be the partner of choice for infrastructure investors across the region.