Regional News

Singapore’s Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) are set to benefit from a changing interest rate environment, according to a recent report. The report highlights that select REITs are already experiencing financing cost savings, signalling a shift in earnings trends. An anticipated 25 basis points rate cut could further enhance earnings estimates by approximately 1.2%, although this is not yet factored into current projections.

Retail REITs are maintaining resilient earnings, whilst Industrial REITs are offering attractive yield spreads. The report suggests a preference for retail REITs, followed by industrial, office, and hospitality sectors. This strategic positioning is crucial as the market adapts to the “higher for longer” interest rate scenario.

The implications of these findings are significant for investors seeking stable returns in a volatile market. As interest rates potentially decrease, the cost of borrowing for REITs could reduce, enhancing profitability and investor appeal. This trend underscores the importance of strategic investment in sectors poised for growth amidst economic shifts.

In conclusion, the report indicates that Singapore’s REITs are well-positioned to capitalise on potential interest rate cuts, with retail and industrial sectors leading the charge. Investors may find these insights valuable as they navigate the evolving financial landscape.
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Webull Singapore, a subsidiary of Webull Corporation, has unveiled a trading competition aimed at Singaporean investors, running from 10 March to 6 April 2025. The competition, which includes both monthly and weekly challenges, is designed to test traders’ skills and reward top performers on the Webull platform.

Open to all registered users of Webull Singapore with funded accounts, participants will be ranked based on their cumulative returns. The weekly challenge concludes every Sunday at 11:59 PM SGT, whilst the monthly challenge ends on 6 April at 11:59 PM SGT. Jonathan Man, CEO of Webull Singapore, stated, “Through this trading competition and weekly challenges, we aim to create a fun and engaging environment for our investors.”

To qualify for the monthly competition, participants must execute at least five trades across two ticker symbols and achieve a cumulative trade amount of S$2,000 or more. For the weekly competition, the requirement is at least two trades across two ticker symbols with a cumulative trade amount of S$500 or more. Prizes include S$1,000 in trading vouchers for the monthly winner and S$300 for the weekly winner.

Participants must maintain an end-of-day asset value of at least S$500 to remain eligible for rewards. Daily ranking updates will be provided at 12:00 PM SGT. Webull Singapore encourages traders of all levels to join and compete for these attractive prizes. For more details, visit Webull’s official website.
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Singapore has taken a significant step towards sustainable maritime fuel use with the launch of a new standard for methanol bunkering. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Enterprise Singapore, through the Singapore Standards Council, have published Technical Reference 129 (TR 129), which provides a comprehensive framework for the safe and efficient use of methanol as an alternative fuel in bunkering operations.

TR 129 outlines critical requirements for the handling, transfer, and measurement of methanol. Key components include custody transfer requirements for ship-to-ship operations, operational and safety protocols for methanol delivery from bunker tankers to vessels, and guidance on using mass flow metres for accurate quantity management and digital documentation.

The standard was developed by a Working Group on Methanol Bunkering, comprising government agencies, research institutes, and industry stakeholders. David Foo, MPA Assistant Chief Executive, highlighted the collaborative effort behind TR 129, stating, “It provides clear guidelines to support the safe adoption of methanol as a marine fuel and gives the industry greater confidence in their transition to use of sustainable fuels.”

Choy Sauw Kook, Director-General of Enterprise Singapore, emphasised Singapore’s commitment to maintaining its status as a leading bunkering hub, noting that TR 129 will equip local operators with the capabilities and confidence needed for methanol bunkering.

Following successful methanol bunkering operations in 2023 and 2024, the new standard is expected to further Singapore’s ambitions as a sustainable, multi-fuel bunkering hub. Interested parties can learn more about TR 129 at a seminar during Singapore Maritime Week 2025.
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Temus, a digital transformation consultancy based in Singapore, has been named the first OutSystems Premier Partner in the country. This partnership highlights Temus’ expertise in AI-powered low-code development, a method that allows for the rapid creation of digital applications with minimal coding. The collaboration aims to accelerate digital transformation across various sectors in Singapore, where demand for such solutions is growing rapidly.

Temus has been OutSystems’ longest-serving services partner in Southeast Asia, and this new status cements their decade-long collaboration. The consultancy has a proven track record of delivering complex web and mobile applications efficiently, benefiting both public and private sectors. In the telecommunications sector, Temus has developed customer-facing mobile applications for a leading Singapore telco, enabling users to manage subscriptions and access self-service functions. In education, the firm has created digital solutions that streamline attendance tracking and schedule management for academic institutions.

The popularity of low-code platforms like OutSystems is on the rise, with IDC predicting that over 60% of enterprises globally will adopt these technologies by 2025. In Singapore, the government’s Smart Nation 2.0 initiative has further driven the demand for rapid software deployment methods. Daniel Lim, Managing Director of Cloud, Applications and Platform at Temus, stated, “We are proud to be named as OutSystems Premier Partner. It is a significant milestone that recognises our deep expertise and shared vision for accelerating digital transformation through the use of low-code.”

Temus is also committed to growing the local tech talent pool. Through its Step IT Up Singapore programme, launched in 2022, the firm has placed 59 graduates in full-time technology roles, with 17 becoming low-code application developers. This initiative supports Singapore’s efforts to bridge tech skills gaps and expand its pool of tech talent.

With the rapid advancement of AI, data analytics, and cloud infrastructure, Temus and OutSystems are well-positioned to lead Singapore’s low-code revolution. Mark Weaser, APAC Vice President of OutSystems, remarked, “This achievement underscores our shared commitment to accelerating digital transformation and equipping businesses with the agility to thrive in an evolving landscape.” As the demand for digital solutions continues to grow, Temus’ expertise in OutSystems technology places it at the forefront of this transformation.
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Kallang Alive Sport Management (KASM), in collaboration with Live Nation, has announced that Lady Gaga will perform exclusively in Singapore this May. This marks her only Asian performance, with over 200,000 local and international fans expected to attend the four-night event at the Singapore Sports Hub’s National Stadium on 18, 19, 21, and 24 May 2025.

Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, expressed enthusiasm for the event, highlighting its significance in enhancing Singapore’s status as a leading destination for sports, entertainment, and lifestyle. “This enhances Singapore’s position as one of the leading sports, entertainment and lifestyle destinations in the region,” Tong stated. He also noted that the event reflects KASM’s commitment to securing high-quality programming for the Singapore Sports Hub.

Lady Gaga’s return to Singapore is highly anticipated, as it is her first performance in the city-state since her 2012 Born This Way Ball Tour. KASM Chairman Keith Magnus remarked, “KASM is proud to build on a record-breaking 2024 with yet another only-in-Singapore event, reinforcing our reputation as the driving force behind Singapore’s biggest and most iconic live experiences.”

Tickets for the concert will be available through various presales starting 18 March, with general sales commencing on 21 March at 2pm via Ticketmaster. This event is part of KASM’s broader strategy to transform the Kallang Alive Precinct into a hub for world-class live events, further cementing Singapore’s place on the global entertainment stage.
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KrisFlyer, the rewards programme of Singapore Airlines, has announced its role as the official Lifestyle Rewards Partner for Lady Gaga’s upcoming concerts in Singapore. The concerts, scheduled for 18, 19, 21, and 24 May 2025 at the Singapore National Stadium, mark the tour’s exclusive stop in the Asia-Pacific region. KrisFlyer members will enjoy priority access to tickets across nine categories starting 20 March 2025 at 1200hrs, Singapore time.

Members can purchase tickets using their Mastercard credit or debit cards through a private link, which requires registration by 13 March 2025. Eligible members will receive an access code and link by 18 March 2025. Additionally, KrisFlyer members can redeem miles for tickets in Categories 1 to 6 via the KrisFlyer Experiences website. Redemption begins at 1200hrs for PPS Club members, Solitaire PPS Club supplementary cardholders, and KrisFlyer Elite Gold members, whilst KrisFlyer and KrisFlyer Elite Silver members can redeem from 1500hrs.

The redemption rates range from 26,000 miles for Category 6 tickets to 42,000 miles for Category 1 tickets. Each member can purchase or redeem up to six tickets per transaction. This collaboration follows KrisFlyer’s partnerships with other high-profile artistes, including Ed Sheeran and Stefanie Sun.

Dai Haoyu, Senior Vice President Marketing Planning at Singapore Airlines, stated, “KrisFlyer’s exciting partnership with Lady Gaga’s Singapore concert underscores our commitment to offering members world-class experiences with globally acclaimed artistes.” This initiative highlights KrisFlyer’s dedication to expanding its rewards programme beyond travel, providing members with unique and memorable experiences.
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Tencent Cloud, the cloud division of global tech giant Tencent, has partnered with Singapore-based TrueWatch to launch Indonesia’s first multi-cloud Software as a Service (SaaS) observability platform. Announced at the inaugural Tencent Cloud Day event in Jakarta on 10 March 2025, this collaboration seeks to advance cloud observability solutions across Southeast Asia by leveraging Tencent Cloud’s local infrastructure.

The TrueWatch platform addresses challenges in multi-cloud environments, such as siloed data and operational inefficiencies, by consolidating monitoring tools into a single interface. This partnership allows TrueWatch to utilise Tencent Cloud’s Indonesia Availability Zone, ensuring low-latency access and robust security for local enterprises. The platform offers real-time monitoring, analytics, and cloud-native observability tools, providing businesses with enhanced performance and scalability.

Key benefits of the partnership include a 99.99% uptime service level agreement (SLA) for enterprise customers, a 50% reduction in infrastructure setup and deployment time, and compliance with local data protection regulations. Faye Gong, Business Development Director for Southeast Asia and South Asia at Tencent Cloud, stated, “Tencent Cloud’s partnership with TrueWatch truly highlights our continuous commitment to driving digital innovation in Indonesia.”

Mike Loong, Executive Director of TrueWatch, added, “This collaboration is a game-changer for enterprises struggling with fragmented cloud environments. Together, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of observability, helping businesses from any industry operate with precision.”

As the partnership unfolds, it is expected to empower Indonesian businesses to optimise their cloud ecosystems with greater efficiency and reliability, aligning with the country’s data sovereignty needs.
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Joey Tang has been appointed as the Head of Investment Solutions Group Hong Kong at Bank of Singapore, effective immediately. Based in Hong Kong, Tang will report to Vivienne Chia, Global Head of Investment Solutions Group, and locally to Rickie Chan, Head of Private Banking, Greater China, and Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Branch. Tang’s role will involve spearheading the bank’s product and solutions strategy across capital markets, alternative investments, managed solutions, and lending advisory, particularly focusing on clients in the Greater China region.

Tang brings nearly 30 years of experience in investment and private banking, having previously led the Funds, Alternatives, and Solutions team at Bank of China (Hong Kong) Private Banking. His extensive background includes a tenure at Citigroup Global Markets, where he was responsible for the Greater China region and led a multi-asset structured investment solutions team.

Vivienne Chia commented on Tang’s appointment, stating, “We have seen an increase in demand for sophisticated product offerings and financial solutions among our clients. We are pleased to have Joey on board to lead these efforts in Hong Kong, focused on our clients in the Greater China region.”

This appointment is part of Bank of Singapore’s strategic expansion of its advisory and product solutions team globally, following recent hires at its Dubai International Financial Centre branch. Tang’s leadership is expected to enhance the bank’s ability to provide personalised wealth management solutions, especially during times of macroeconomic uncertainty.
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A recent survey by Alibaba Cloud reveals that a significant 84% of Singaporean businesses are captivated by the potential of digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing, to drive sustainable development. However, 85% of these businesses express concerns over the high energy consumption associated with these technologies, which could hinder their widespread adoption.

The survey, which included over 1,300 businesses across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, highlights that Singapore ranks second in interest in digital technologies for sustainability, trailing the Philippines (91%) but ahead of Indonesia and Thailand (both at 81%). Within Singapore, AI and machine learning are deemed the most crucial technologies for advancing corporate sustainability by 41% of businesses, followed by cloud computing at 37%, and collaboration and communication tools at 34%.

Despite this interest, 80% of Singaporean executives feel their organisations are lagging in adopting cloud computing and AI to meet sustainability goals. Furthermore, 83% acknowledge a significant gap in understanding how digital technology can aid in achieving these objectives, a figure notably higher than the Asia average of 63%.

These findings underscore the dual challenge faced by Singaporean businesses: the allure of digital technologies for sustainability and the pressing need to address energy consumption concerns to realise their full potential. As companies navigate these complexities, the insights from Alibaba Cloud’s survey could serve as a catalyst for more informed decision-making in the pursuit of sustainable development.
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The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) will conduct live-firing and military exercises across various locations from 10 to 17 March 2025. These activities will take place on the islands of Pulau Sudong, Pulau Senang, and Pulau Pawai, as well as in the Pasir Laba SAFTI Live-Firing Area. The SAF has assured that all necessary safety and control measures will be in place, although loud noises are expected.

The public is urged to steer clear of these islands and their surrounding waters, as well as the prohibited waters off Changi Naval Base and Tuas Naval Base. Sea vessels navigating the Western Johor Straits are instructed to remain within the 75-metre Navigable Sea Lane to avoid the live-firing boundary, where live ammunition and flares will be used.

In addition to the live-firing exercises, military drills will be conducted in several areas, including Seletar, Marsiling, Jalan Bahar, Neo Tiew, Lim Chu Kang, and others. These exercises will involve the use of blanks and thunderflashes.

The SAF has emphasised that trespassing into restricted areas is an offence punishable by law, and the public is advised to comply with all safety advisories to ensure their safety and the smooth conduct of the exercises.
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