Regional News

Food Innovators Holdings Limited (FIH), a company specialising in Japanese cuisines across Asia, has announced a net profit of S$0.2m for the first half of 2026, marking a return to profitability. This turnaround is attributed to a 10.5% year-on-year increase in revenue, reaching S$23.8m, primarily driven by the expansion of its sublease business in Japan and restaurant operations in Malaysia.

The company’s sublease business in Japan saw a 17.8% rise in revenue, whilst the restaurant business in Malaysia grew by 15.5%. Despite a slight decline in gross profit margin by 0.8 percentage points due to initial costs from opening five new restaurants, gross profit increased by 4.7% to S$3.8m.

FIH continues to benefit from rising tourism in its key markets, expanding its sublease property portfolio in Japan’s vibrant food and beverage sector, and scaling its restaurant business in Southeast Asia. The company has introduced a new chain-store expansion strategy, sharing investment costs and profits with employees to facilitate regional growth. This model has been implemented with the opening of a new KANBE Ramen restaurant in Kuala Lumpur.

Looking forward, FIH plans to leverage its strong network and brand credibility to expand its sublease property portfolio and introduce innovative dining concepts. CEO Kubota Yasuaki stated, “We remain committed to curating quality Japanese brands across Asia, bringing authentic Japanese cuisine and dining culture to a wider audience.”

Huntington Advisory, a strategic advisory firm based in Singapore, has announced a partnership with MGT Partners, a French financial services group, to expand their cross-border (re)insurance advisory services in Europe. This collaboration aims to leverage Huntington’s expertise in the Asian insurance market and MGT’s established presence in France to offer a comprehensive advisory platform for mergers and acquisitions (M&A), capital solutions, and strategic transactions.

The partnership is set to address the fragmented nature of the French insurance broking market, which presents significant opportunities for consolidation and strategic investment. Gerard L. Pennefather, Founder and Managing Partner of Huntington Advisory, stated, “Through our partnership with MGT, we aim to connect investors and strategic partners with high-quality European platforms poised for long-term growth.”

Corinne Previtali, Partner at MGT Partners, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, noting that it aligns with MGT’s values and enhances their ability to serve clients with access to international capital and strategic investors. “Together, we can deliver tailored solutions and broaden access to international capital for our European clients,” Previtali added.

The partnership will act as a conduit for international investors seeking to engage with Europe’s dynamic (re)insurance market, characterised by numerous independent players and increasing interest from financial sponsors and strategic acquirers. This strategic move is expected to facilitate significant growth and investment opportunities within the sector.

Corporate treasurers are set to undergo significant transformations in their roles as global volatility pushes companies to seek new growth avenues, according to the EY 2025 DNA of the Treasurer report. The survey, which included over 1,200 treasurers and senior finance leaders worldwide, highlights that 89% of Singapore treasurers expect their roles to evolve dramatically by 2030, with a focus on value creation and business growth.

The report reveals that treasurers are increasingly adopting technology, with 82% of Singapore respondents using artificial intelligence (AI) for financial forecasting and cash management. However, many treasurers face obstacles such as operational responsibilities and limited time for skill enhancement, hindering their potential to create value.

Lee Wei Hock, Singapore Head of Assurance at Ernst & Young LLP, noted, “As Singapore is an international hub for many global organisations, corporate treasurers here tend to have a greater geographical remit compared to their global peers.” This underscores the need for treasurers to continuously reinvent their roles amidst a fast-changing business landscape.

Despite challenges, treasurers are leading in technology adoption, with 82% using data analytics and visualisation tools. Yet, only 42% of Singapore treasurers feel confident that their financial risk management strategies are enhancing decision-making. The report suggests that treasurers should focus on leveraging technology and nurturing talent to fulfil their potential as value creators.

As the role of treasurers evolves, CFOs are encouraged to empower them as strategic partners in the finance function, enabling them to drive innovation and unlock greater organisational value.

IOI Properties Singapore has announced the launch of W Residences Marina View, the city-state’s first integrated hotel-home branded residence. The public sale begins on 25 October 2025, following a Special VVIP Preview Phase. Situated at Marina Bay’s gateway, the development offers 100 units from levels 16 to 20, with prices starting at $3,230 per square foot. Residents will enjoy the same service level as guests of the W Singapore – Marina View Hotel, located below the residences.

The launch includes 85 one-, two-, and three-bedroom units designed for professionals, families, and those seeking a vibrant lifestyle. Additionally, 15 homes in the Signature Collection offer expansive four- and five-bedroom layouts with panoramic views, catering to multi-generational living or grand entertaining.

Designed by architects61 and interior designer Fady Hachem, the residences aim to attract urban connoisseurs seeking a private sanctuary within a bustling global address. Lorraine Shiow, CEO of IOI Properties Singapore, stated, “W Residences Marina View – Singapore is not just a place to live; it is where service, design, and address converge into one tower block.”

Residents will benefit from hotel-grade operations, including a 24/7 concierge service, valet parking, and curated lifestyle amenities. The development also offers exclusive access to ONVIA, providing privileges akin to Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status. In partnership with Raffles Medical Group, a Medi-Concierge service will ensure round-the-clock healthcare support.

Marina Bay is evolving into a dynamic live-work-play district, and W Residences Marina View positions itself as a long-term asset of enduring value amidst this transformation.

Shopline subsidiary, Instage Technology Pte Ltd., has secured in-principle approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) for a Major Payment Institution (MPI) licence. This development enables Shopline to process payments directly for its extensive network of over 600,000 merchants, eliminating the need for third-party providers. The approval marks a significant step in Shopline’s expansion into regulated payments infrastructure, offering merchants lower fees, faster settlements, and the convenience of managing storefronts and payments on a single platform.

The MPI licence will allow Shopline to provide five regulated payment services, including Account Issuance Service, Domestic Money Transfer Service, Cross-Border Money Transfer Service, Merchant Acquisition Service, and E-Money Issuance Service. Raymond Hsu, Co-President of Shopline, stated, “This MPI licence is a key milestone in our global strategy. It highlights our commitment to meeting the highest regulatory standards whilst delivering secure, efficient, and borderless payment experiences for merchants.”

This move aligns with the ongoing trend of commerce platforms integrating licensed payments capabilities, further solidifying Singapore’s status as a regional fintech hub. By leveraging Singapore’s position, Shopline aims to empower merchants with seamless end-to-end payment solutions, facilitating international connections and accelerating cross-border growth.

Founded in 2013, Shopline is a leading Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) provider, offering a fully integrated platform for ecommerce, POS, social commerce, and more. With headquarters in Singapore and over 2,000 employees globally, Shopline continues to expand its regulatory presence in Asia and Australia, enhancing its offerings in the Asia-Pacific region.

Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group reported a 3.7% increase in passenger traffic for September 2025 compared to the previous year, outpacing a 2.5% rise in passenger capacity. This led to a 1.0 percentage point increase in the Group’s passenger load factor, reaching 87.1%. SIA and its low-cost subsidiary, Scoot, achieved monthly passenger load factors of 86.2% and 90.1%, respectively, with a combined total of 3.4 million passengers carried, marking an 8.0% increase from last year.

The Group’s cargo operations faced challenges due to Typhoon Ragasa, which affected routes to and from East Asia. Cargo capacity decreased by 0.8% year-on-year, largely due to reduced freighter aircraft activity. As a result, overall cargo loads fell by 3.8%, and the cargo load factor dropped by 1.8 percentage points to 56.2%.

By the end of September 2025, the SIA Group’s passenger network spanned 129 destinations across 37 countries and territories. SIA served 78 destinations, whilst Scoot covered 73. The cargo network included 133 destinations in 38 countries and territories.

Malaysia has unveiled the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on Climate Resilience at the opening of the International Greentech & Eco Products Exhibition and Conference Malaysia (IGEM) 2025. The event, held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, is organised by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) and the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC). It seeks to secure $11.7 billion (RM55 billion) in business leads, with participation from 50 countries and 500 exhibition booths.

The opening ceremony was led by Dato Sri Huang Tiong Sii, Deputy Minister of NRES, who highlighted Malaysia’s role as ASEAN Chair 2025. He stated, “IGEM reflects this vision by convening regional leaders, innovators, and communities to work together on practical solutions for the climate transition.”

IGEM 2025 serves as a marketplace for converting ideas into investments, with several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) signed and new collaborations announced. The event will feature key programmes such as the ASEAN Circular Economy Forum, the 3rd Energy Efficiency Forum, and Malaysia-Japan Environment Week, focusing on decarbonisation and resilience.

Prominent exhibitors include Petronas, showcasing hydrogen energy and carbon capture technologies; Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), presenting solar initiatives; OCBC Bank, offering green financing solutions; and Xiamen Solar First Energy Technology, a leader in solar energy solutions.

As ASEAN Chair 2025, Malaysia is reinforcing its leadership in the region’s net-zero transition, ensuring sustainability remains central to growth. IGEM 2025 continues to drive investment opportunities and foster cross-border deals, setting the stage for impactful green innovation and collaboration.

AhaPay, a fintech company backed by Fingular, has announced a strategic partnership with Malaysia-based Paydibs to introduce Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) solutions nationwide. This collaboration seeks to enhance payment flexibility and accessibility for merchants and consumers, marking a significant step in AhaPay’s regional expansion strategy.

Paydibs, operating under Malaysia’s Financial Services Act 2013, is renowned for its secure and reliable payment solutions, catering to local businesses with a variety of payment channels, including digital wallets. The partnership will see AhaPay offering flexible 4 and 7 instalment plans, providing unprecedented affordability and payment options for eligible merchants and users.

The integration will be facilitated by the Paydibs NEO all-in-one terminal, allowing merchants to activate AhaPay BNPL alongside QR and card payments. The onboarding process is efficient, taking approximately four to five working days from application to implementation. Once onboarded, merchants gain access to the broader Paydibs ecosystem, including online payment gateways and future financing solutions.

Harold Chen, CEO of AhaPay, highlighted the partnership’s focus on sustainability and inclusive growth, stating it empowers underserved communities by fostering responsible consumer financing practices. Tee Kean Kang, Chief Commercial Officer of Paydibs, emphasised the collaboration’s role in expanding financial access to underbanked segments and building inclusive financial solutions for Malaysian merchants.

This partnership not only aims to improve sales performance and conversion rates for merchants but also enhances financial well-being for consumers by distributing costs responsibly over time.

Singapore’s semiconductor industry, which accounts for 10% of the global market share and 20% of global manufacturing capacity, relies heavily on the seamless operation of its billion-dollar fabs. OneSystems Technologies (OST), a Singapore-based systems integrator, plays a crucial role in ensuring these facilities operate efficiently, even as they undergo constant technological upgrades.

Unlike conventional factories, semiconductor fabs require continuous reconfiguration to accommodate advancements such as AI-optimised chips. This dynamic environment, often described as “live surgery,” demands uninterrupted operations, as even a brief downtime can result in significant financial losses. OST addresses these challenges by integrating operational technology, IT, safety, and process-control systems, providing fab operators with real-time monitoring and faster response times.

For a leading semiconductor client, OST’s integration of siloed networks into a unified platform led to a 20% reduction in infrastructure costs and improved system recovery times. Co-Founder and CEO Eunice Hong emphasises that the company’s success lies not only in its technology but also in its people. OST’s commitment to worker welfare, including a zero-injury record and cross-training programmes, fosters a culture of loyalty and safety.

As Southeast Asia expands its semiconductor capacity, OST is poised to export its Singapore-honed model regionally. The company is investing in AI-driven predictive maintenance, cybersecurity frameworks, and automation tools to ensure future-proof integration. This strategic move aligns with the upcoming Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, further solidifying OST’s role in the region’s semiconductor landscape.

September 2025 saw a significant drop in new home sales in Singapore, with only 255 units sold, marking an 88.1% decrease from August’s 2,142 units, according to CBRE Research. The decline is attributed to the absence of new launches during the Seventh Lunar Month, which spanned from 23 August to 21 September. Despite this, CBRE anticipates a strong rebound in October and November, potentially closing the year at a multi-year high.

The September sales figures bring the third quarter total to 3,337 units, more than doubling the 1,212 units sold in the second quarter. For the first nine months of 2025, sales reached 7,924 units, already surpassing the entire 2024 volume by 22.5%. This surge is supported by low interest rates and an upgraded GDP growth forecast of 1.5–2.5% for 2025.

The top-selling project in September was Canberra Crescent Residences, with 28 units sold at a median price of $2,001 per square foot (psf). Other notable projects included Grand Dunman and River Green, selling 24 and 16 units, respectively. The Rest of Central Region led sales with 125 units, followed by the Outside Central Region and Core Central Region.

Looking forward, CBRE expects a strong market recovery in October with several major launches, including Skye at Holland, which has already sold 99% of its units. Full-year sales are now projected to reach 9,000–10,000 units, exceeding previous forecasts. Private home prices, which have risen 3.1% so far, are expected to continue their upward trend, potentially matching or surpassing last year’s 3.9% growth.