Regional News

Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, is set to hold a cabin crew recruitment roadshow in Singapore on 19 June 2025. This event is part of the airline’s global initiative to recruit 5,000 new cabin crew members this year, supporting its fleet expansion and continued growth. Candidates interested in joining the multinational team must apply through the Emirates Group Career website to be shortlisted for the invite-only event.

The recruitment drive is one of several planned in Singapore throughout the year, with the next event scheduled for 19 July 2025. Emirates is seeking individuals passionate about delivering personalised hospitality and maintaining high safety standards. Successful candidates will undergo seven and a half weeks of training at Emirates’ state-of-the-art facility in Dubai, where they will develop skills in communication, leadership, and teamwork.

The recruitment initiative coincides with Emirates’ recent acquisition of six A350 aircraft, with an additional 59 A350s and 205 777-9s and 777-8s on order. This expansion will enable the airline to introduce new routes and enhance its global network. As of June 2025, Emirates boasts over 24,000 cabin crew members, including more than 70 from Singapore.

Emirates’ cabin crew enjoy a cosmopolitan lifestyle in Dubai, with benefits such as a tax-free salary, profit sharing, and discounted travel for friends and family. The diverse team, representing over 149 nationalities and speaking more than 76 languages, fosters a strong sense of community and shared service philosophy.
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The Government has announced the Government Land Sales (GLS) Programme for the second half of 2025, featuring eight private residential sites and two executive condominium (EC) sites. This initiative is expected to yield 3,735 private residential units, 990 EC units, and 4,515 square metres of commercial space. The programme aims to moderate private property price growth, despite a slight decrease in the number of private residential units compared to the first half of 2025.

The distribution of GLS sites across the island is notable, with 42.8% of the new supply directed to the Rest of Central Region (RCR) and 39.1% to the Outside Central Region (OCR). This marks the third consecutive decrease in the overall number of units supplied in the half-yearly GLS programme, following the peak in the first half of 2024, which offered 4,740 private residential units.

Among the notable land parcels is the Bukit Timah Road plot, located in the Newton planning area. This site is expected to attract significant interest due to its proximity to Newton MRT, Orchard Road, and the city centre. The Dover Road parcel is also highlighted for its strategic location near the Dover Knowledge District and one-north employment hub, with a substantial commercial component of 3,000 square metres.

The Turf City site at Dunearn Road will add 1,400 square metres of commercial space, continuing the area’s redevelopment. Additionally, the Tanjong Rhu plot will be the first GLS site in the area in over 20 years, potentially drawing moderate interest as new amenities are developed.

Justin Quek, CEO of OrangeTee & Tie, noted that the high supply of EC units provides more accessible alternatives for HDB upgraders and first-time homeowners. The programme’s diverse offerings are expected to cater to both owner-occupiers and investors.
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Google Cloud, in collaboration with Digital Industry Singapore (DISG), has unveiled the AI Cloud Takeoff (AI CTO) programme, designed to foster AI transformation in 300 Singapore-based companies over the next 12 months. This initiative, part of the Singapore Government’s Enterprise Compute Initiative, seeks to establish AI Centres of Excellence (AI CoEs) to enhance competitiveness and unlock new revenue opportunities.

Building on a successful pilot with 30 companies in November 2024, AI CTO provides a structured framework for companies to centralise AI expertise and resources. Participants will receive up to $365,000 (SG$500,000) in financial incentives to develop AI-driven solutions. The programme includes a two-week AI capacity building bootcamp, technical consultancy services, and Google Cloud credits for solution development.

Philbert Gomez, Senior Vice President of Digital Industry Singapore, highlighted the programme’s potential to drive innovation and productivity across industries. “Our successful pilot with Google Cloud laid a strong foundation, enabling Singapore-based companies to harness tailored AI solutions,” he stated.

The programme offers technical implementation services to integrate AI solutions with existing systems, ensuring data privacy and security. Companies will work with DISG-appointed, Google Cloud-certified partners, including Accenture and Deloitte, to establish their AI CoEs.

Applications for the AI CTO programme are now open, marking a significant step towards AI-driven transformation in Singapore’s business landscape.
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The Government Land Sale (GLS) programme for the second half of 2025 (2H2025) has been announced, featuring a notable shift in strategy with a 29% increase in residential supply on the Reserve List compared to the previous half. This adjustment comes amidst a backdrop of slower home sales and rising prices, as noted by Tricia Song, CBRE Head of Research for Singapore and Southeast Asia.

The overall private housing supply is set to rise to approximately 9,200 units, up from 8,505 units in the first half of 2025.

The Confirmed List will offer 4,725 private housing units, including 990 Executive Condominium (EC) units. Meanwhile, the Reserve List will provide an additional 4,475 units, up from 3,475 in the first half of the year. Notably, the Reserve List includes new sites at Cross Street and Telok Ayer, which can accommodate 500 long-stay Serviced Apartments (SA2) units. In total, 1,020 SA2 units could be developed if demand arises.

The decision to bolster the Reserve List is seen as a strategic response to the current economic climate. “Developers have been measured in their bids, signalling a cautious outlook,” Song commented. The full-year total for the Confirmed List will reach 7,785 private homes, providing ample opportunities for developers to secure future land banking.

Among the most attractive new sites on the Confirmed List are those near mature public housing estates and MRT stations, such as Bukit Timah, Kallang Avenue, and Dover Road. These locations offer diverse options to suit various budgets and needs, with proximity to key amenities enhancing their appeal.

The government will continue to monitor market conditions closely, adjusting the GLS programme as necessary to meet Singapore’s evolving housing, commercial, and hospitality needs.
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Star Voyager, the latest addition to the StarCruises fleet, has made its much-anticipated debut in Ho Chi Minh City, marking a significant milestone as the first cruise ship to offer Vietnamese round-trip cruises to Singapore. The ship, which arrived on 13 June 2025, will provide a 5-day, 4-night cruise experience during the Vietnamese school holidays, with additional departures on 17 and 21 June.

The Star Voyager’s arrival was celebrated with a grand inauguration ceremony at Phu My Port, attended by key figures including Michael Goh, President of StarDream Cruises, and Do Phuoc Trung, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Ba Ria Vung Tau province. Goh expressed excitement about the new venture, stating, “This homeport and exclusive sailings are a key step in our vision to develop Vietnam as a major cruise hub in Southeast Asia.”

The cruise promises an unforgettable journey with a recently completed $50 million refurbishment, offering a blend of comfort and modern amenities. Passengers will enjoy a variety of onboard activities, including waterslides, a rock-climbing wall, and vibrant music festivals. The cruise also features a stop in Singapore, allowing guests to explore iconic destinations such as Gardens by the Bay and Orchard Road.

With limited sailings available, the Star Voyager aims to boost Vietnam’s cruise tourism sector, offering a unique holiday experience for Vietnamese travellers. Bookings can be made through local travel partners or the StarDream Cruises website.
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The Government Land Sales (GLS) Programme for the second half of 2025 continues to maintain a steady supply of private homes, according to Knight Frank Singapore.

Despite a slight decrease in the number of residential units in the Confirmed List from 5,030 in H1 2025 to 4,725 in H2 2025, the Reserve List has seen an increase from 3,475 to 4,475 units. This adjustment comes amidst a backdrop of anticipated declining interest rates, tight national employment, and strong household balance sheets, which are expected to support the private residential market.

The GLS Programme’s Confirmed List includes ten new sites, featuring a mix of central and suburban locations with a significant inclusion of executive condominiums (ECs). Notably, the Bukit Timah Road site is expected to yield around 340 non-landed homes, drawing interest due to its proximity to Newton MRT station and the Orchard Road shopping belt. Similarly, the Bedok Rise site, adjacent to Tanah Merah MRT station, is anticipated to yield approximately 380 non-landed private homes.

Leonard Tay, Head of Research at Knight Frank Singapore, highlighted the strategic placement of these sites, stating, “The provision of ten new sites in the Confirmed List comprises a good mix of central and suburban locations, with a hearty infusion of executive condominiums plots.”

The Reserve List has introduced two new sites at Cross Street and Telok Ayer Street, with the latter being a mixed-use site likely to attract developers due to its central location. The ongoing gentrification of areas like Kallang and Lentor Central further underscores the government’s commitment to transforming these regions into vibrant residential hubs.

As the year progresses, the market will closely watch how these developments unfold, particularly in light of global political and economic uncertainties that may influence buyer sentiment.
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Maison Krug has announced the inaugural Krug Ambassade Regional Summit in Southeast Asia, set to take place in Singapore on 9 July. This event will bring together 11 esteemed Krug Ambassades from across the region to explore the creative potential of this year’s Single Ingredient: the carrot. The summit aims to craft refined culinary expressions that mirror the elegance and complexity of Krug Champagne.

The carrot, known for its diverse culinary applications, will be the focal point of this year’s tribute. Chefs will experiment with various preparations, including roasting, puréeing, caramelising, and juicing, to showcase the ingredient’s rich palette of flavours, textures, and aromas. Complementing this culinary exploration are two new Krug Éditions: the Krug Grande Cuvée 173ème Édition, blending 150 wines from 13 vintages, and the Krug Rosé 29ème Édition, composed of 29 wines from five vintages.

Participants include representatives from Singapore’s Krug Ambassades, such as Zén, JAAN by Kirk Westaway, IYASAKA by Hashida, Buona Terra, Art di Daniele Sperindio, Meta, and Shoukouwa. They will be joined by regional Ambassades from Malaysia’s Michelin-starred Au Jardin and Potager, and Thailand’s two-Michelin-starred Sühring.

From August to December, Singapore’s Krug Ambassades will offer exclusive by-the-glass pairings featuring the latest Krug Éditions, paired with carrot-inspired dishes. This limited-time experience invites guests to explore Krug through a fresh culinary perspective. Additionally, Moomba, Singapore’s sole Off-Trade Krug Ambassade, will feature a dedicated window display inspired by the carrot theme.
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Venture Corp, a prominent player in the electronics manufacturing sector, has retained its ‘buy’ rating with a revised target price of S$12.60, up from S$12.50. This adjustment reflects an 11% upside potential and a yield of approximately 7%. The company’s valuation continues to be appealing, even as trade uncertainties linger, according to the latest analysis by RHB.

The decision to maintain the ‘buy’ rating comes after a marginal 2% reduction in forecasted earnings for the financial years 2025 to 2027. The target price has been slightly increased as the price-to-earnings ratio is rolled over to a blended 15 times for the fiscal years 2025 and 2026, compared to the previous 15 times for 2025 alone. This adjustment is positioned at 0.5 standard deviations below the mean.

Analyst Alfie Yeo noted that the current valuation has already accounted for existing universal reciprocal tariff rates. Any potential reduction in these rates, particularly for countries like Malaysia, could act as catalysts for Venture Corp’s share price. “We deem any rate lowering for countries as share price catalysts,” Yeo stated.

The company’s robust valuation and yield make it a compelling investment, particularly in the context of ongoing trade challenges. Looking ahead, any favourable changes in tariff rates could further enhance its market position and investor appeal.
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Ripple recently concluded its 5th Apex 2025 summit, the largest annual XRP Ledger (XRPL) event, held in Singapore from 10 to 12 June. The gathering attracted over 750 global leaders, developers, and innovators, showcasing the latest advancements in the XRPL ecosystem. The event underscored the increasing institutional adoption of blockchain technology, driven by the tokenisation of real-world assets and the rise of stablecoins.

A joint report by BCG and Ripple projects the tokenised real-world asset market to reach $18.9 trillion by 2033. Meanwhile, Citi Institute estimates the stablecoin market could grow by up to 1,500%, reaching over $3 trillion by 2030. These projections highlight the significant potential for growth and transformation within the blockchain sector.

During the summit, Ripple made several key announcements demonstrating how XRPL is facilitating enterprise-grade blockchain use cases globally. Guggenheim Treasury Services has launched its Digital Commercial Paper (DCP) on the XRPL, a fixed income asset secured by US Treasuries and rated Prime-1 by Moody’s. This initiative aims to modernise the issuance and transaction of commercial paper.

Additionally, Ondo Finance introduced its tokenised US treasury fund, Ondo Short-Term US Government Treasuries (OUSG), on the XRPL. Qualified Purchasers can now seamlessly subscribe and redeem OUSG with RLUSD, Ripple’s enterprise-grade stablecoin. Furthermore, Ripple announced the launch of USDC, the world’s largest regulated stablecoin issued by Circle, on the XRPL. This addition is part of the growing momentum behind global stablecoins on the network.

These developments at Apex 2025 highlight the expanding utility of XRPL in facilitating remittances, decentralised finance (DeFi), and enterprise-grade payments, further enhancing the role of XRP as a native asset for liquidity.
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Datalec Precision Installations (DPI), a leader in data centre solutions, has announced the appointment of Edmund Quek as Technology Delivery Manager for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. Based in Singapore, Quek will spearhead DPI’s technology project delivery, focusing on customer-centric solutions and operational excellence. This strategic hire comes as DPI seeks to expand its presence in the APAC market, which is experiencing a surge in digital infrastructure demand.

Quek brings over 20 years of experience in ICT infrastructure and data centre project delivery, having successfully led more than 100 large-scale projects across APAC and the Middle East. His expertise in reducing project turnaround times by 25% and leading regional technical teams is expected to bolster DPI’s capabilities in delivering high-impact solutions.

Peter Cole, Executive Vice President of APAC at DPI, expressed enthusiasm about Quek’s appointment, stating, “With the surge in digital infrastructure demand across the region, coupled with his extensive local knowledge, we look forward to delivering innovative, high-impact solutions that reflect DPI’s commitment to excellence and client satisfaction under his leadership.”

In his new role, Quek will focus on streamlining project execution frameworks, enhancing client onboarding experiences, and supporting sales through technical bid input. DPI aims to compete at the highest standards globally, delivering unparalleled quality and aligning closely with clients’ evolving requirements. This appointment underscores DPI’s commitment to operational excellence and strategic growth in the APAC region.
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