Regional News

The inaugural Europe Conference 2025, co-organised by the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) and the European Chamber of Commerce Singapore (EuroCham), took place on 14 October 2025, marking a significant milestone in Europe-Singapore relations. The event, which drew over 300 participants from seven countries, celebrated Singapore’s 60th year of independence and its enduring ties with Europe.

Themed “Sustainability & Innovation”, the conference brought together business leaders, innovators, and policymakers to discuss strategies for building a resilient, sustainable global economy. Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, delivered the keynote address, highlighting the strengthened Singapore-Europe relations and potential areas for further cooperation, including digital and green economies.

Key sessions included a panel discussion on Singapore’s potential as a launchpad for innovation and a special session on the role of family-owned enterprises in enhancing Europe-Asia economic ties. The conference also provided extensive networking opportunities, fostering cross-industry connections and partnerships.

SBF Chairman S. S. Teo emphasised Singapore’s pivotal role as a strategic hub between Europe and Asia, stating, “The strong participation reflects the commitment of both sides to co-create sustainable, innovative, and future-ready solutions.”

The event, supported by various partners including Gulf Air and BPM LLP, set the stage for deeper engagement on resilience, digitalisation, and sustainability, reinforcing Singapore’s position as a vital bridge between Europe and Asia.

Singapore’s media industry is making waves at the 2025 Marché International des Programmes de Communication (MIPCOM) in Cannes, France, showcasing over 100 pieces of content through 27 companies. Spearheaded by the Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA), the delegation is highlighting significant international co-productions and distribution partnerships from 13 to 16 October.

The line-up includes a variety of genres, with a notable focus on drama, digital media, and children’s content. Among the highlights is the drama series ‘RED BUTTERFLY’, a collaboration between StudioCanal, Beach House Pictures, and Momo Film Co., set in 1950s Singapore. This crime drama, supported by Canal+ Asia, is poised to captivate audiences worldwide with its unique storyline about an all-female gang.

In digital content, Viddsee is launching its original feature film ‘Siti Vampire’, co-produced with Indonesia’s Mahaka Pictures. The project features prominent talents such as screenwriter Titien Wattimena and director Rahabi Mandra. Meanwhile, Omens Studios has partnered with Hasbro for new seasons of ‘Transformers Cyberworld’ and other children’s series, expanding its global reach.

Additionally, Singapore’s August Media is collaborating with South Korea’s Acommz on ‘Super Guardians’, an Arctic adventure series for young audiences. This partnership marks a significant step in expanding Singapore’s presence in the international children’s content market.

IMDA’s Singapore Pavilion at MIPCOM provides a platform for networking and showcasing the nation’s media offerings. Yvonne Tang, Assistant Chief Executive for Media Industry Group at IMDA, emphasised the importance of these collaborations, stating, “These exciting collaborations highlight how our homegrown companies are forging strategic alliances with global partners.”

Mett Singapore, the latest addition to Sunset Hospitality Group’s portfolio, officially opens on 28 October 2025 at Fort Canning Park, Singapore. This new hotel combines world-class dining, social connection, and wellness facilities, marking the group’s first venture into the Asia Pacific region. Antonio Gonzalez, Chairman and CEO, described the project as “a tribute to the past, a celebration of lifestyle hospitality with a Singaporean soul.”

Located within the historic grounds of Fort Canning Park, Mett Singapore offers 84 suites and rooms designed by Jeffrey Wilkes, featuring views of lush parkland or the city skyline. The hotel aims to create a vibrant social hub with its dining options led by Chef Daniele Sperindio, including L’Amo Bistrò del Mare and the Canning Bar & Lounge. Sperindio’s Art di Daniele Sperindio and HANU, a Korean grill, will also be part of the culinary offerings.

Beyond dining, the hotel provides extensive wellness and recreational facilities, including two outdoor pools, padel and pickleball courts, and a luxury gym. The upcoming Madison House, a private members’ club, will introduce The Longevity Suite, offering advanced wellness treatments.

Mett Singapore sets a new standard for lifestyle hospitality, blending wellness, social energy, and exceptional dining in thoughtfully designed spaces. The hotel is now accepting reservations, with rooms starting from $455 (SGD 625). An exclusive opening package, “Singapore, We Finally METT,” is available for bookings until 30 November 2025.

A recent study by International Workplace Group (IWG) highlights the potential of flexible work models to re-engage part-time workers in Singapore. The research, involving over 2,000 current and former part-time employees, found that 44% of former workers are considering rejoining the workforce if hybrid work options are available. Rising commuting costs, however, remain a significant barrier, with 40% of part-time workers indicating they would leave their jobs if required to commute long distances daily.

The study underscores a growing trend in Singapore, where companies are increasingly relying on part-time and flexible work arrangements. A separate survey revealed that 31% of employers plan to increase their use of contract, part-time, and flexi-work hires in 2025, marking a 15% rise from the previous year. This shift is driven by the need to address talent shortages and manage cost pressures effectively.

Mark Dixon, CEO of IWG, stated, “High commuting costs combined with limited flexibility are a challenge for many part-time workers. By offering greater flexibility over how and where work is done, businesses can not only retain these valuable team members but also attract talented individuals back into the workforce.”

In addition to corporate initiatives, national programmes such as Workforce Singapore’s Part-Time Re-employment Grant and Career Conversion Programmes are supporting this transition. These efforts aim to strengthen the part-time workforce ecosystem and create a more inclusive labour market in Singapore. As flexible work models gain traction, they are expected to play a crucial role in boosting workforce participation and productivity.

Agoda, the digital travel platform, has unveiled a new Diamond tier within its AgodaVIP loyalty programme, aimed at rewarding its most dedicated customers with enhanced discounts and travel benefits. This expansion, announced on 14 October 2025, provides Diamond members with access to Agoda’s lowest prices on hotels, flights, and activities, alongside perks such as priority customer support and early access to limited-time vouchers.

The Diamond tier is designed to elevate the travel experience for frequent Agoda users, offering up to 25% off exclusive deals. Existing AgodaVIP members already enjoy benefits like VIP deals, free breakfast, room upgrades, and flexible cancellations at select properties. The introduction of the Diamond tier further enhances these offerings, ensuring that Agoda’s most loyal customers receive maximum value.

Chief Product Officer at Agoda, Ittai Chorev, stated, “As we celebrate 20 years of bridging the world through travel, we’re doubling down on what matters most to travellers: unbeatable prices across accommodations, flights, and activities. The Diamond tier is our way of ensuring that our most loyal customers get even more value every time they book with Agoda.”

Agoda’s loyalty programme, popular among budget-conscious and frequent travellers, now includes Flights and Activities, broadening the scope of savings for members. With over 5 million holiday properties, 130,000 flight routes, and 300,000 activities available, Agoda continues to provide flexibility and convenience for travellers planning their trips.

Users can check their loyalty status and benefits via the Agoda mobile app or website, ensuring they maximise their travel savings and experiences.

Genting Berhad has announced plans to acquire the remaining 50.64% of Genting Malaysia for RM67b, equating to RM2.35 per share. The acquisition aims to secure a clear majority control, enabling Genting Berhad to better support Genting Malaysia’s bid for a New York casino licence. The purchase will be primarily funded by RM63b of new debt.

The move is significant as it positions Genting Berhad to potentially increase its influence and operational capabilities within the gaming sector. Should Genting Malaysia secure the New York casino licence, Genting Berhad’s leverage is expected to rise considerably due to the proposed $5.5b (RM23b) investment required for the project.

Shareholders of Genting Singapore could see indirect benefits if Genting Berhad decides to seek higher-than-expected dividends from Genting Singapore to assist in servicing the group’s debt. This strategic financial manoeuvre could impact the company’s overall financial health and shareholder returns.

DBS has maintained a “Hold” rating for Genting Singapore, with a target price of S$0.80, reflecting the potential indirect benefits and financial implications of the acquisition. The development underscores Genting Berhad’s strategic efforts to expand its footprint in the lucrative casino market, particularly in the US.

The acquisition and its implications will be closely watched by investors and industry analysts, as it could reshape the competitive landscape in the global gaming industry.

Sanofi has achieved a milestone by creating the largest mural of magnetic hands in Singapore, marking a public pledge against Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) as part of its “Together Against RSV” campaign. The mural, featuring over 1,000 hand pledges, was unveiled during a three-day event at Serangoon NEX, where families, healthcare partners, and community members gathered to raise awareness about RSV, a common yet potentially serious virus affecting infants.

The mural, measuring 2 metres tall by 5.1 metres wide, serves as a visual reminder of the nation’s commitment to combating RSV. Each magnetic hand symbolises a pledge to protect infants from RSV, which is a leading cause of hospitalisation in young children. Zainab Sadat, Head of Vaccines for Sanofi Southeast Asia and India, emphasised the significance of the record, stating, “This record is more than just numbers; it is a symbol of unity and a testament to the collective power of Singaporean families, healthcare professionals, and communities coming together for a cause that truly matters.”

The campaign aims to spark ongoing conversations about RSV and empower parents with knowledge and preventive measures, including immunisation options. In Singapore, RSV is a leading cause of infant hospitalisations, with most cases occurring in otherwise healthy full-term babies. Globally, RSV leads to millions of hospitalisations and significant medical costs.

Sanofi’s initiative also includes collaborations with hospitals, parent communities, and an educational microsite, TogetherAgainstRSV.sg, developed with the Singapore Paediatric Society. This effort is part of Sanofi’s mission to provide trusted information and preventive solutions to parents, ensuring a healthier future for infants worldwide.

Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) has launched the Centre for Behaviour and Nudge Design (BaND), introducing Abbi, the world’s first AI-enabled Behavioural Insights Coach. Unveiled at the Institute for Human Resource Professionals’ People Behind People Forum, Abbi was co-developed with the UK-based Behavioural Insights Team (BIT). This innovative tool is designed to help organisations enhance workplace culture and productivity by integrating behavioural science with AI coaching.

The BaND initiative is a response to the low engagement levels among Singaporean workers, as highlighted by a recent ADP Research study. Only 12% of Singapore’s workforce is engaged, the lowest in Southeast Asia. Abbi aims to address this by using behavioural science methods and AI tools to foster positive workplace habits. NP’s Principal and CEO, Lim Kok Kiang, emphasised the transformative potential of behavioural science and AI, stating, “We see behavioural science and AI not just as tools, but as catalysts for transformation in the workplace.”

The programme has already shown promise through a pilot with UOB, where behavioural nudges increased online training completion rates fourfold among 3,000 employees. This success has led to plans to expand the initiative to 30,000 employees regionally. UOB will also utilise BaND’s capabilities to conduct data-driven experiments to refine nudging strategies further.

Looking ahead, NP plans to integrate BaND’s offerings into its curriculum by 2027, providing 400 students with skills in behavioural science and nudging. This initiative marks a significant step in preparing a future-ready workforce equipped to tackle complex challenges.

YY Group Holding Limited, a leader in on-demand workforce solutions, has announced the launch of the YY Circle Bursary Award. This initiative, unveiled on 13 October 2025, is designed to support Singaporean workers on the company’s staffing platform in pursuing higher education. The bursary forms part of YY Group’s commitment to corporate social responsibility, focusing on educational development and nurturing future talent in Singapore.

The bursary is available to full-time Singaporean students enrolled in polytechnics, polytechnic foundation programmes, and universities. Eligibility for the award is determined by Per Capita Income (PCI), ensuring that financial support reaches those most in need.

Mike Fu, CEO and Executive Director of YY Group, stated, “At YY Group, we believe education is the foundation of progress. The YY Circle Bursary Award is designed to ease financial pressures so our gig workers can focus on furthering their education and reaching their full potential.” He emphasised the company’s dedication to investing in young talent and fostering a community of skilled, socially conscious individuals poised to shape Singapore’s future.

This initiative not only highlights YY Group’s role in supporting educational advancement but also underscores its broader commitment to societal development. By alleviating financial burdens, the bursary aims to empower gig workers to achieve their educational goals, contributing to a more educated and resilient workforce in Singapore.

OpusSoft, a Kuala Lumpur-based startup, has launched OpusSoft 3.0, Malaysia’s first Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) journal management system. This new version, powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, promises to streamline the entire journal publishing process, from submission to peer review to final publication, significantly reducing the time and effort required.

The latest release introduces four key features designed to address challenges in research publishing workflows. The Galley Proof feature automates journal-specific formatting in under 10 seconds, replacing a process that traditionally took days. An AI-powered Reviewer Recommendation Engine helps editorial boards identify high-calibre reviewers based on research expertise and collaboration history. The system is also integrated with Crossref, allowing for efficient Digital Object Identifier (DOI) registration and assignment. Additionally, the Web Publishing feature enables direct publication of papers with DOIs to journal websites with a single click.

Ramesh Balakrishnan, CEO of OpusSoft, stated, “Our enhanced OpusSoft platform, powered by AI and automation, streamlines the entire workflow of journal publishing. This improves efficiency and increases productivity of the journal editorial team.”

OpusSoft’s clients include prominent Malaysian journals and organisations such as the Malaysian Journal of Microbiology and the National Cancer Society of Malaysia. The company plans to expand regionally across Southeast Asia within the next 12 months, introducing multilingual capabilities and customisation options to meet diverse market needs.

With support from a grant by Cradle Fund, a Malaysian government agency, OpusSoft is poised to transform Malaysia’s publishing industry, enhancing the global visibility and impact of its research.