Regional News

Asia Pacific is increasingly pivotal in global trade resilience, according to the DHL Global Connectedness Tracker, a report by DHL and New York University’s Stern School of Business. Released on 17 October 2025, the report highlights how the region is adapting to policy changes under President Trump’s second term, with international trade growing at its fastest rate since 2010, excluding the pandemic rebound.

The report reveals that six of the 10 fastest-growing trade lanes originate from Asia, underscoring the region’s significant role in global trade. Hong Kong SAR, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam are among the top 10 markets showing rapid trade value growth, reflecting Asia Pacific’s increasing influence and resilience in supply chain networks.

Intra-Asia trade is also on the rise, with East Asia & Pacific’s intra-regional trade share increasing from 55% to 56%. This shift is evident in the reduced trade distances for countries like Thailand, China, Singapore, and Hong Kong SAR, indicating a pivot towards regional partners.

ASEAN has emerged as a key destination for Chinese exports, offsetting a 15% drop in exports to the US with a 15% increase to ASEAN. Vietnam, Thailand, and India have seen the largest increases in their share of China’s exports.

Prof. Steven A. Altman of NYU Stern notes that despite policy threats, globalisation remains robust, with companies managing risks and opportunities in a connected world. The DHL Global Connectedness Tracker, which analyses over 20 million data points, provides insights into these trends, supporting businesses in navigating global trade dynamics.

Singapore’s non-oil domestic exports (NODX) experienced a significant rebound in September, growing by 6.9% year-on-year, according to a report by Nomura Global Economics. This marks a sharp recovery from the 11.5% decline recorded in August, with electronics exports leading the surge. The growth in electronics, particularly integrated circuits, reflects robust underlying demand in the tech sector.

The report highlights that whilst NODX to the US continued to contract, the pace has slowed, indicating ongoing impacts from US tariffs. Conversely, re-export growth surged, especially to China and Hong Kong, suggesting positive spillover effects into trade-related services. This is evidenced by a notable increase in container throughput growth.

Despite the mixed performance outside electronics, with petrochemical and pharmaceutical exports remaining weak, the overall export landscape shows resilience. Non-monetary gold exports saw a dramatic swing to 82.7% growth, largely due to base effects.

Nomura maintains its 2025 GDP growth forecast for Singapore at 3.6%, recently revised from 2.6%, citing continued resilience against external challenges. The Ministry of Trade and Industry is expected to adjust its GDP growth forecast range to approximately 3.5% in November, up from the previous 1.5-2.5% range. This outlook suggests that Singapore’s economy is poised to withstand global economic pressures, driven by strong performance in both manufacturing and services sectors.

Professor Jason Cheah, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Woodlands Health (WH), will step down from his role on 31 January 2026, after more than a decade of service. He will be succeeded by Joe Hau, who will take over as CEO-Designate on 1 January 2026 and officially assume the CEO position on 1 February 2026. Hau will leave his current role as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Khoo Teck Puat Hospital and Yishun Community Hospital on 31 December 2025.

Professor Cheah will continue his contributions to NHG Health as Deputy Group Chief Executive Officer for Strategy, Planning and Resourcing. Since 2014, he has been pivotal in transforming WH into a fully integrated healthcare facility, including the establishment of the first Women’s Health & Specialist Centre and Children’s Clinic in Northern Singapore. His leadership has been recognised with awards such as the Public Administration Medal (Silver) (Bar) in 2025.

Joe Hau brings over two decades of leadership experience in healthcare management, having previously led institutions like Ren Ci Hospital. His tenure has been marked by significant improvements in patient care and operational efficiency. Hau has also been honoured with the Public Administration Medal (Bronze) in 2022.

Professor Joe Sim, Group CEO of NHG Health, expressed gratitude for Cheah’s leadership and confidence in Hau’s ability to continue WH’s mission. As Hau steps into his new role, he is expected to further strengthen WH’s position as a trusted healthcare partner in Northern Singapore.

Singapore’s non-oil domestic exports experienced a significant rebound in September 2025, growing by 6.9% year-on-year. This recovery follows an 11.5% contraction in August, highlighting a positive shift in the nation’s trade performance.

The latest figures, released by the Department of Statistics Singapore, indicate a promising turnaround for the country’s external trade sector. The growth in September suggests a recovery in demand for Singapore’s exports, which had been under pressure in the previous month.

This development is crucial for Singapore’s economy, as exports play a vital role in its overall economic health. The increase in non-oil domestic exports could signal a stabilisation in the global demand for Singaporean goods, potentially boosting economic confidence.

As Singapore continues to navigate the complexities of global trade, the September figures offer a glimmer of hope for sustained economic growth. The recovery in exports could have broader implications for the country’s economic outlook in the coming months.

Cushman & Wakefield has announced the availability of a freehold ground floor unit with newly approved food and beverage (F&B) use at Jalan Besar, Singapore. This unique property, strategically located on a prominent corner plot, is being offered through an Expression of Interest (EOI) exercise closing on 21 November 2025.

The property, situated within the Jalan Besar Conservation Area, spans approximately 4,876 square feet and features a dual road frontage along Jalan Besar and Plumer Road. It offers an efficient layout suitable for various commercial uses, including medical suites, education centres, and restaurants. The unit’s design allows for potential sub-division and leasing to multiple tenants, enhancing its appeal to investors and business owners.

Sophia Lim, Director of Capital Markets at Cushman & Wakefield, highlighted the property’s strong visibility and flexible layout, stating it is “well-positioned to capture strong demand from both investors and occupiers.” The area is known for its eclectic mix of cultural, commercial, and residential spaces, drawing visitors with its diverse culinary offerings.

The property benefits from excellent connectivity, with three nearby MRT stations and access to major expressways. Recent transactions in the area reflect stable pricing and market confidence, with the guide price set at $14.8m. The property is open to both foreign and local investors, with no additional buyer’s or seller’s stamp duty applicable.

Shaun Poh, Executive Director of Capital Markets at Cushman & Wakefield, noted the area’s ongoing rejuvenation and potential for capital growth, making it a promising investment corridor.

Kumpulan Wang Persaraan (Diperbadankan) (KWAP) has unveiled Dana Iklim+, Malaysia’s inaugural climate-focused investment fund, with a target deployment of RM2 billion. This initiative, launched at the Kuala Lumpur Sustainability Summit 2025 by Minister of Plantation and Commodities, Datuk Seri Johari bin Abdul Ghani, seeks to propel Malaysia towards a Net Zero future by investing in climate-focused sectors such as infrastructure, private equity, real estate, and nature-based solutions.

Dana Iklim+ is KWAP’s third catalytic investment programme, following Dana Pemacu and Dana Perintis, and aims to further strengthen Malaysia’s investment ecosystem. The fund is designed to deliver both financial returns and environmental benefits, supporting the nation’s transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy. “Dana Iklim+ is an integral part of this effort and demonstrates how institutional capital can be mobilised to drive both environmental impact and sustainable economic growth,” said Hazman Hilmi Sallahuddin, KWAP’s Chief Investment Officer.

The fund is structured as a multi-asset investment strategy, prioritising opportunities that generate meaningful climate impact and sustainable long-term returns. It aligns with national frameworks such as the National Energy Transition Roadmap and the Ministry of Finance’s GEAR-uP initiative, reinforcing Malaysia’s leadership in green investment.

Dana Iklim+ also incorporates KWAP’s impact measurement framework, which evaluates investments across six dimensions, including alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The initiative aims to mitigate up to one million metric tonnes of CO2e, underscoring KWAP’s commitment to embedding sustainability into Malaysia’s financial ecosystem.

In the second half of 2025, Advanced Holdings emerged as the leader in net institutional buying as a percentage of market capitalisation on the Singapore Exchange. The Catalist-listed company saw $4.8m (S$6.6m) in net institutional buying, representing 54% of its $8.7m (S$12m) market cap. This surge followed Blair Road Capital’s Asia Agri and Renewables Fund acquiring a 16.78% stake from the company’s Managing Director, Wong Kar King, on 26 August.

LHT Holdings also experienced significant institutional interest, with $6.9m (S$9.5m) in net buying, equating to 19% of its $36.3m (S$50m) market cap. This was driven by DH Wealth Management’s DH Cornerstone Fund acquiring an 18.45% interest in the company, which manufactures wooden pallets, boxes, and crates.

Despite overall net selling of $0.53b (S$0.74b) by institutions in Singapore stocks during 2H25, excluding the trio of STI Banks, there was a net institutional buying of $0.13b (S$0.18b). This trend highlights a shift in focus towards smaller-cap stocks, particularly in the Industrials and Technology sectors, which have been leading global and ASEAN markets since the first half of 2025.

The data underscores the growing interest in smaller companies, as investors seek opportunities beyond large-cap stocks amidst global market volatility. The Materials and Resources, and Technology sectors have been particularly attractive, reflecting broader global trends and strategic shifts in investment focus.

Zespri International has announced the appointment of Kok Hwee Ng as its new Chief Marketing Officer. With over two decades of experience in brand marketing across the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) and fresh produce sectors, Kok Hwee has held senior roles at Procter & Gamble and Mondelez International in Asia. Since joining Zespri in 2017, she has been instrumental in shaping the company’s brand strategy and consumer engagement.

Kok Hwee’s leadership at Zespri has included roles such as Global General Manager Marketing and Senior Marketing Director for Greater China. Earlier this year, she joined Zespri’s Executive Team, bringing fresh perspectives and collaborative leadership. Her expertise in brand innovation and integrated campaigns has strengthened Zespri’s market leadership and elevated its global storytelling.

In her new role as CMO, Kok Hwee will lead Zespri’s global marketing strategy, focusing on consumer engagement and brand innovation. Her appointment also sees the Market Research team returning to the Marketing function, highlighting its importance in shaping brand and consumer strategy. Based in Singapore, Zespri’s Sales and Marketing Hub, Kok Hwee is poised to drive the company’s ambition to become the World’s Healthiest Fruit Brand.

Kok Hwee expressed her vision for Zespri, stating, “My commitment is to build a brand that not only delivers exceptional taste and nutrition but also champions the wellbeing of communities.” Her leadership is expected to guide Zespri towards further brand growth and innovation, aligning with the company’s strategic goals.

The National University Hospital (NUH) in Singapore and Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, have launched the Singapore-Shanghai Medical Innovation Centre (SSMIC) to foster collaborative healthcare innovations. Announced on 15 October during the 6th Singapore-Shanghai Comprehensive Cooperation Council meeting in Shanghai, the centre will focus on advancing breakthroughs in cell and gene therapy and orthopaedics.

The SSMIC is the first initiative from a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the two hospitals in 2024, aiming to establish a framework for clinical cooperation. Co-chaired by Aymeric Lim, CEO of NUH, and Ning Guang, President of Ruijin Hospital, the centre will serve as a hub for developing medical technologies and conducting translational research.

Initial projects include clinical trials for a novel Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, which uses a patient’s immune system to target cancer cells. This personalised treatment aims to offer new hope to patients who have not responded to first-line cancer treatments. In orthopaedics, the focus will be on using 3D printing for musculoskeletal tumour resection and reconstruction, aiming to improve surgical outcomes and patient recovery.

Professor Aymeric Lim stated, “Through the SSMIC, we look forward to partnering with RJH with a common mission to advance real-world change in healthcare.” Ning Guang added, “With the support from Shanghai government and Singapore stakeholders, I have the faith that we will succeed.”

The SSMIC is designed to be a dynamic platform, with plans to expand its scope and explore further collaborations, ensuring a continuous pipeline of clinical breakthroughs.

Eazy Pte Ltd has unveiled Singapore’s first unified insurance portal, allowing customers to manage all their policies from different insurers in one place. This innovative platform, launched on 17 October 2025, functions as a digital wallet, enabling users to view policy summaries, access renewal dates, and download official documents. Customers can also perform administrative tasks such as renewals, endorsements, and cancellations.

The portal addresses common challenges faced by policyholders, who traditionally relied on email or phone communication for document requests and renewal verifications. Now, users can update their details, make policy changes, and process cancellations without logging into multiple portals. Eazy’s CEO, Douglas Chia, highlighted that the portal was developed in-house over a year, focusing on customer control and transparency.

Data protection is a priority, with Eazy adhering to the Personal Data Protection Act and Monetary Authority of Singapore guidelines. The company has implemented strict security protocols to safeguard customer information. Future updates to the portal will include a quotation aggregator for instant insurance quotes and full claims functionality.

Eazy aims to expand the platform to cover additional products and services, ultimately creating a comprehensive destination for insurance and financial needs. This development marks a significant step in simplifying insurance management for Singaporean customers.