Regional News

Japanese Body Therapy (JBT), operated by MJG International Pte Ltd, has officially launched its expansion hub in Singapore, aiming to establish 100 franchise centres across Asia. The brand, known for its PM Balance Seitai—a traditional Japanese manual therapy focusing on posture and structural alignment—seeks to leverage Singapore’s strategic location for regional growth.

Led by Yuta Kizaki, a nationally certified Judo Therapist from Japan, JBT integrates traditional manual techniques with a systematic approach to training, performance tracking, and service delivery. Kizaki, who previously scaled a network of 187 body therapy centres in Japan, took over MJG International in 2022, implementing strategic changes to stabilise and grow the business.

The decision to base operations in Singapore reflects JBT’s commitment to system-led scalability and consistent quality. “Our structured operational systems and practice-based expertise will support our ambitious expansion plans,” Kizaki stated.

JBT’s expansion strategy is underpinned by its focus on structured service delivery and operational excellence, aiming to bring its unique therapy approach to a broader audience across Asia. The move marks a significant step in JBT’s long-term strategy to become a leading name in body therapy within the region.
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The Beyondsoft Chinese Enterprise Basketball Tournament 2025 wrapped up on 29 June with a grand finale at the Singapore Basketball Centre. Organised to commemorate Beyondsoft International Singapore Pte Ltd’s 30th anniversary, the event brought together Chinese enterprises and professionals from across Singapore in a spirited two-month competition. The tournament underscored Beyondsoft’s dedication to community engagement, active lifestyles, and cross-industry collaboration.

Launched in April, the tournament featured teams from local Chinese businesses competing over several weekends. The event not only strengthened ties within Singapore’s Chinese business community but also highlighted the unifying power of sports. The top three teams were recognised for their exceptional performances: JUSTI claimed the championship, followed by K STAR in second place, and Six Stars Tours & Services in third.

The awards ceremony was attended by representatives from Beyondsoft, the Basketball Association of Singapore, and SIG Global. Chng Poh Suan from Beyondsoft, LEO from the Basketball Association, Matthias Koh, President of the Basketball Association of Singapore, and Kevin Wang from SIG Global presented the awards.

Beyondsoft, a global leader in IT services and digital transformation, emphasises not only technological excellence but also the importance of building inclusive, people-centred communities. In Singapore, the company actively supports cultural engagement, employee wellbeing, and partnerships that bridge industries and cultures, embodying its mission to deliver technology with heart.
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Singapore-headquartered BeLive Holdings, a leading B2B provider of live and video streaming infrastructure, has announced its intention to explore a Digital Asset Treasury Strategy. This move is part of the company’s broader platform enablement roadmap aimed at enhancing capital efficiency and supporting decentralised payment technologies. The strategy involves potentially allocating a portion of BeLive’s corporate treasury into digital assets such as Bitcoin and other yield-generating assets, subject to rigorous risk and compliance frameworks.

The initiative reflects BeLive’s commitment to innovation and its role as a digital infrastructure provider to global brands. CEO Kenneth Tan stated, “As digital infrastructure providers to many leading global brands, we are committed to remaining at the forefront of innovation.” The strategy aims to support the next wave of platform experiences securely and responsibly.

BeLive’s core focus remains on enabling partners to integrate interactive video, live commerce, and AI solutions into their apps via its Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and whitelabel platform. This strategic evaluation follows similar moves by other forward-thinking companies exploring alternative treasury and payment models using digital assets.

The company emphasised that no digital asset acquisitions have been made to date, and any future allocations will be conducted conservatively within strict compliance frameworks. BeLive provides live commerce and shoppable short video solutions to international retail companies and e-commerce marketplaces.
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Grand Park City Hall is inviting travellers to experience Singapore’s rich cultural heritage as the nation celebrates its 60th anniversary. Located in the heart of Singapore’s Civic District, the hotel is offering a suite of specially curated experiences that blend history, gastronomy, and comfort to mark this national milestone.

The hotel’s SG60 Celebrations include exclusive stay experiences with heritage packages and nostalgic in-room amenities. Guests can enjoy views of celebratory fireworks from the Rooftop Garden every Saturday leading up to National Day on 9 August. Additionally, the hotel offers cultural access with partner privileges, providing perks and discounts at nearby museums and family attractions.

Tablescape Restaurant at Grand Park City Hall is presenting an SG60 Celebration Menu, offering a limited-time culinary journey of local flavours in a neoclassical setting. For those planning a midweek getaway, the hotel is offering special room rates every Wednesday and Thursday in August.

Grand Park City Hall, the flagship luxury hotel of Park Hotel Group, is situated within a three-minute walk from City Hall MRT, providing seamless access to Singapore’s major train lines and cultural landmarks. The hotel combines sleek design with Peranakan motifs and vintage touches, offering guests a deep sense of place and connection.

As Singapore marks its Diamond Jubilee, Grand Park City Hall invites both new and returning visitors to explore the city from a hotel that embodies its heritage, where history, culture, and contemporary hospitality converge.
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SCS Butter, a staple in Singaporean kitchens for over 120 years, is marking its anniversary with the launch of the “Create Your Dazzle” campaign. This initiative aims to inspire creativity in cooking and baking, encouraging Singaporeans to transform everyday culinary moments into extraordinary experiences. The campaign is inspired by the brand’s iconic star logo and its enduring mission to make premium butter accessible to all.

Since its inception in 1905, SCS Butter has been a beloved part of Singapore’s culinary heritage, known for its rich, creamy flavour and high quality. Now part of DKSH, a leading market expansion service provider, SCS Butter continues to deliver on its promise of quality and accessibility. Adrian Kang, Vice President of Fast Moving Consumer Goods at DKSH Singapore, stated, “We are proud to celebrate 120 years of nourishing generations of Singaporeans. ‘Create Your Dazzle’ is a tribute to the magic that happens when quality ingredients meet everyday creativity.”

The anniversary celebrations will include a social media campaign, influencer-led recipe inspirations, and live demonstrations at major supermarkets. Consumers are encouraged to share their culinary creations on social media using the hashtag #CreateYourDazzle. Additionally, SCS Butter will release limited-edition packaging inspired by Singapore’s cultural celebrations, highlighting the country’s multiracial food heritage.

SCS Butter products are available at major grocery stores and online platforms across Singapore, continuing to inspire creativity in kitchens nationwide.
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National Day Parade 2025 (NDP 2025) is set to transform Marina Bay into a vibrant celebration zone as Singapore marks its 60th year of independence. Scheduled for 2 and 9 August 2025, the Bay Celebrations will include interactive experiences, carnival festivities, and live NDP screenings, offering Singaporeans more opportunities to connect and celebrate together.

Visitors can explore the Bay Discovery Trail, which links three thematic zones highlighting Singapore’s multiculturalism, inclusivity, and heritage. The first 5,000 participants completing the trail each day will receive an NDP Pack. Performances by local talents, such as 11-year-old violinist Anastasha Suchin and the Singapore Institute of Technology’s Vocalist Insight, will enhance the festivities. Additionally, a diverse food market and the nostalgic Uncle Ringo carnival will provide family-friendly entertainment.

As night falls, the Bay will become a grand amphitheatre with live NDP screenings at Merlion Park, Marina Bay Sands Event Plaza, and the Esplanade Outdoor Theatre. For the first time, synchronised audio systems and Bay Emcees will create an immersive experience. Highlights include the State Flag Flypast and the inaugural Jump of Unity by the Republic of Singapore Navy’s naval divers. The spectacle will be complemented by building light projections, fireworks, and performances on a new floating stage.

The celebrations will extend to five partner-led sites, including The Promontory and Gardens by the Bay, each offering unique experiences. The event will culminate in a nationwide Majulah Moment, uniting Singaporeans in reciting the pledge and singing the National Anthem.

With an expected attendance of 200,000 visitors, the NDP 2025 Executive Committee, alongside the Singapore Police Force, will implement crowd management and security measures. Volunteers from Heartware Network and motivators from the Singapore University of Social Sciences will ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. For more details, visit the NDP website or follow their social media channels.
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The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) will expand its regulatory functions starting 1 July 2025, following the enactment of the Competition (Amendment) Act 2025. This expansion involves the transfer of consumer product safety and legal metrology functions from Enterprise Singapore to CCCS, marking a significant enhancement in consumer protection oversight.

With this transfer, the Consumer Product Safety Office and the Weights and Measures Office will now report to CCCS. This consolidation aims to strengthen the agency’s regulatory oversight, allowing businesses and consumers to approach CCCS for issues related to fair trading practices, consumer product safety, and compliance with weights and measures.

The integration of these functions under CCCS underscores its mission to ensure Singapore’s markets operate effectively. By enforcing safety standards and accurate measurements, CCCS aims to foster robust competition, benefiting both businesses and consumers. Alvin Koh, Chief Executive of CCCS, stated, “This consolidation marks a significant milestone in strengthening Singapore’s consumer protection framework.”

To ensure a seamless transition, CCCS and Enterprise Singapore are collaborating to minimise service disruptions. Existing regulatory requirements and certificates will remain valid under CCCS’s authority, and businesses are expected to maintain compliance throughout the transition.

For continued access to services, the public and businesses can visit the respective websites of the Consumer Product Safety Office and the Weights and Measures Office. CCCS will also provide a hotline for general enquiries post-transfer.
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The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has announced that Singapore will renew its loan commitment to the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) New Arrangements to Borrow (NAB), extending it until 31 December 2030. This move aims to bolster the IMF’s capacity to maintain global economic and financial stability, with a maximum commitment of Special Drawing Rights (SDR) 1,297.1 million, equivalent to US$1,762.8m.

Singapore has been a participant in the NAB since its inception in 1998. The renewed commitment involves contingent loans to the IMF, which will only be drawn upon if the IMF’s other resources are significantly depleted. Importantly, these loans do not impact the Singapore Government’s budget or reduce the Official Foreign Reserves (OFR) managed by MAS. Instead, they remain part of Singapore’s OFR unless the commitment is activated.

The NAB serves as a secondary line of defence for the IMF, supplementing its resources when available quota resources are insufficient to meet member countries’ financial support demands. The SDR, an international reserve asset created by the IMF, underpins this arrangement, drawing on a basket of major international currencies.

This renewal underscores Singapore’s ongoing commitment to supporting multilateral efforts in safeguarding global financial stability. As the world continues to navigate economic uncertainties, such commitments are crucial in ensuring the IMF can respond effectively to financial crises.
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The Federal Reserve is anticipated to implement two interest rate cuts in the fourth quarter of 2025, following signs of mild inflation and a weakening job market. This development is expected to benefit Singapore’s Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), which remain resilient due to their stable cash flows and long lease tenures.

Core inflation rates have shown stability, with the Core Consumer Price Index (CPI) excluding food and energy prices holding at 2.8% year-on-year in May 2025. Similarly, the Core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) inflation was mild at 2.5% year-on-year in April 2025. Despite the negative impact of reciprocal tariffs, inflation has remained tame, with prices for apparel and new vehicles falling slightly.

The job market has shown nascent signs of weakness, with the unemployment rate rising modestly to 4.2% in May 2025. Hiring rates have decreased, and layoffs have increased significantly due to uncertainties caused by tariffs. This has led to calls for lower interest rates, with Fed officials suggesting potential rate cuts as early as July.

Singapore’s REITs are seen as a defensive investment, benefiting from the country’s low reciprocal tariff of 10%. Analysts have raised target prices for several S-REITs, including CapLand Int Comm Trust (CICT) and Frasers Centrepoint Trust (FCT), due to anticipated lower interest rates. The sector’s resilience is further supported by its negative correlation with major indices like the S&P 500, indicating potential gains even amidst broader market declines.

As global growth faces headwinds from military conflicts and trade uncertainties, the expected easing of interest rates could provide a boost to S-REITs, making them an attractive option for investors seeking stability and potential returns.
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IFS Asset Management (IFSAM), part of the PhillipCapital Group, has unveiled its second private credit fund aimed at bolstering small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Singapore and the wider region. The fund, anchored by IFS Capital Limited, focuses on senior secured lending backed by real estate, offering accredited and institutional investors access to stable income and capital preservation.

The initiative seeks to address the persistent funding gap faced by creditworthy SMEs that are often overlooked by traditional financial institutions. Charis Liau, Chief Investment Officer of IFSAM, noted, “Private credit has traditionally been an opaque and difficult-to-access asset class. We’re now seeing it evolve from niche to a core component in diversified portfolios.”

The Asia-Pacific private credit market remains significantly underpenetrated, presenting strong growth potential. Non-bank lending constitutes less than 15% of Asia’s $58 trillion credit market, compared to over 60% in the US. Moreover, the SME sector, which makes up 98% of businesses in Asia, continues to grapple with a $2.5 trillion financing gap.

Randy Sim, Group CEO of IFS Capital Limited, emphasised the fund’s mission to mobilise private capital for SME growth and resilience, stating, “The fund advances this mission by mobilising new sources of private capital to support the growth and resilience of SME businesses, not just in good times, but throughout business cycles.”

Globally, private credit is gaining traction, with assets under management projected to reach $2.6 trillion by 2029. In Singapore, the demand for SME financing remains robust, with private credit strategies offering attractive risk-adjusted returns and portfolio diversification.
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