Regional News

CapitaLand Investment Limited (CLI) and its associated funds have solidified their leadership in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, as evidenced by their performance in the 2025 GRESB Real Estate Assessment. CLI and its listed real estate investment trusts (REITs) achieved significant improvements in their GRESB scores, with CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust (CICT), CapitaLand China Trust (CLCT), and CapitaLand India Trust (CLINT) maintaining their prestigious 5-star ratings. Additionally, the CapitaLand Open End Real Estate Fund (COREF) earned its inaugural 5-star rating.

CLI, along with CapitaLand Ascendas REIT (CLAR) and CapitaLand Ascott Trust (CLAS), retained a 4-star rating. Notably, CLAS secured the top position in the Listed Hotel, Globally Diversified category for the fifth consecutive year. CapitaLand Malaysia Trust (CLMT) improved its rating from three to four stars, whilst the CapitaLand Ascott Residence Asia Fund II (CLARA II) also achieved a 4-star rating. These performances will result in interest rate savings from sustainability-linked loans.

Vinamra Srivastava, Chief Sustainability & Sustainable Investments Officer at CLI, stated, “CLI, our listed and private funds continue to lead in GRESB, reflecting our commitment to embedding sustainability across the fund management lifecycle.”

In addition to GRESB achievements, CLI and CICT maintained their MSCI ESG Ratings of ‘AAA’ and ‘AA’, respectively, for the fourth year. CLI also remained on the FTSE4Good Index for the 12th consecutive year, highlighting its ongoing commitment to sustainable practices.

XCoffee, a Singapore-based beverage technology company, has launched the region’s first AI-powered smart robotic beverage machine, aiming to transform the coffee and tea experience. The machine, which serves both hot and cold beverages, combines artificial intelligence, data analytics, and precision engineering to deliver freshly brewed drinks around the clock. This innovation is designed to replicate the quality and consistency of a barista-made beverage whilst maintaining high operational efficiency.

The XCoffee machine uses freshly roasted coffee beans and premium tea leaves, grinding and brewing each cup on demand to preserve natural aromas and flavours without artificial additives. “XCoffee’s vision is to create a Singapore-born brand that reflects both precision and familiarity,” said Deric Yeo, Chief Operating Officer of XCoffee. The machine is developed and engineered locally, integrating technology with Singapore’s coffee culture.

Designed for high-traffic environments such as shopping centres, offices, and transport hubs, the machines operate 24/7, offering convenience without long queues. Following its Singapore launch, XCoffee has expanded to Malaysia and Indonesia, with plans to enter more ASEAN markets. The company aims to install 500 units across Singapore, leveraging strategic franchise and partnership opportunities.

With over 60% of Singaporeans drinking coffee daily, XCoffee is poised to meet the growing demand for convenient, high-quality beverages across Asia, blending technology, efficiency, and taste.

Women-owned businesses in Southeast Asia are driving corporate revenue growth, according to a report by the American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (AmChamSG), Accenture, and WEConnect International. The report, launched at the 2025 AmChamSG SME ACCelerate Forum, highlights that a 5% increase in women representation in supplier leadership correlates with a 2.2% rise in corporate revenue.

The study analysed supplier diversity across 631 companies in Singapore, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Anoop Sagoo, CEO Southeast Asia at Accenture, emphasised the tangible benefits of embracing supplier diversity, stating that it enhances performance and revenue growth. However, women entrepreneurs still face significant barriers, such as complex procurement processes and long payment terms, which limit their access to large buyers.

In Singapore, only 23% of women-owned businesses supply to large buyers, compared to 34% in Vietnam and 58% in Indonesia. The report also found that Singaporean women entrepreneurs need more visibility and recognition, whilst those in Indonesia and Vietnam require training in finance, operations, or marketing.

Elizabeth Vazquez, CEO of WEConnect International, noted the risks and rewards of selecting new vendors, highlighting the importance of supplier diversity as a business advantage. Dr Hsien-Hsien Lei, CEO of AmChamSG, added that business networks can bridge gaps between multinational corporations, small and medium enterprises, investors, and policymakers, fostering a more inclusive business ecosystem.

The report underscores the potential for women-owned businesses to contribute significantly to economic growth in Southeast Asia, provided structural barriers are addressed.

Ransomware continues to be a significant threat to businesses in Singapore, with 0.18% of Kaspersky enterprise users affected in the first half of 2025. This figure, though seemingly small, highlights the targeted nature of ransomware attacks, which often focus on high-value targets such as large corporations and banks. Kaspersky, a global cybersecurity company, has identified the top five ransomware families targeting enterprises in Southeast Asia, including Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Wanna and Trojan-Ransom.Win32.Gen.

These ransomware types modify data on victim computers, rendering it unusable until a ransom is paid. Kaspersky’s findings also reveal that organisations in Southeast Asia faced an average of 400 ransomware attempts daily throughout 2024, totalling 135,274 blocked attacks.

Adrian Hia, Managing Director for Asia Pacific at Kaspersky, commented on the rise of AI-powered ransomware groups like FunkSec, stating that AI is lowering the cost and skill barriers for cybercriminals, making attacks more frequent and harder to detect. This development poses urgent challenges for governments, businesses, and individuals.

To combat these threats, Kaspersky recommends several best practices, including enabling ransomware protection for all endpoints, keeping software updated, and focusing on detecting lateral movements and data exfiltration. They also advise installing advanced threat discovery solutions and using the latest threat intelligence to stay informed about tactics used by cybercriminals.

Kaspersky continues to offer a range of cybersecurity solutions to protect organisations of all sizes, emphasising the importance of adapting to changing cybersecurity needs.

SC Capital Partners, a Singapore-based private equity real estate firm, has announced the sale of an education-focused commercial building in Daechi-dong, Gangnam, Seoul. The property, acquired in October 2016 for KRW26b, was sold for KRW54b, more than doubling its initial investment. The transaction was completed at a net operating income yield of below 3% based on the sale price.

Located in one of Seoul’s most prestigious education districts, the six-storey building boasts a gross lettable area of approximately 4,189 square metres and has maintained full occupancy. The area is known for its high concentration of schools, private tutoring academies, and upscale residential developments, which have contributed to stable rental growth and resilient performance during SC Capital Partners’ ownership.

The firm enhanced the tenant profile by transforming the ground floor retail space from a discount store to a trendy stationery gift shop, complementing the educational tenants. Additionally, proactive leasing initiatives significantly improved rental income.

Suchad Chiaranussati, Chairman and Founder of SC Capital Partners, stated, “This successful exit reflects our conviction in education as a long-term structural theme and our ability to generate value through active asset management.”

The sale underscores SC Capital Partners’ focus on the education sector, which is supported by strong structural demand in South Korea. The firm’s investment in the property exemplifies its strategy of leveraging thematic, locally grounded approaches to deliver robust outcomes for investors.

Singapore Airlines (SIA) is set to launch its Time To Fly travel fair in October 2025, presenting over 380,000 discounted tickets across SIA and its low-cost subsidiary, Scoot. The promotional fares are available for SIA flights from January to September 2026 and for Scoot flights from November 2025 to October 2026.

The online sales will be accessible from 24 October to 6 November 2025 through the SIA and Scoot websites, mobile applications, and appointed travel agents. Additionally, a physical travel fair will take place from 24 to 26 October 2025 at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre, featuring deals from over 30 travel agents and partners.

SIA is offering promotions on more than 200,000 return tickets across Business Class, Premium Economy Class, and Economy Class to 77 global destinations, including Brisbane, Frankfurt, Ho Chi Minh City, San Francisco, and Taipei. Scoot will provide discounts on over 180,000 one-way fares to 61 destinations, including new routes to Chiang Rai, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Tokyo (Haneda), and Vienna.

Vinod Kannan, Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing at Singapore Airlines, highlighted the fair’s significance, stating, “Time To Fly has become an annual highlight for our Singapore-based customers.” Calvin Chan, Chief Commercial Officer at Scoot, added, “We look forward to having even more travellers journey with Scoot, creating memorable travel stories at even greater value.”

The fair will also feature exclusive giveaways, including a grand lucky draw prize of three pairs of SIA Business Class return tickets to Beijing, Manila, and Sydney, with hotel accommodation. Additional prizes include SIA Business Class return tickets to Denpasar, Osaka, and Malé, as well as Scoot vouchers worth up to $1,460 (S$2,000).

Jumpshot Singapore has reached a significant milestone by climbing to 35th in the FIBA 3×3 Team Rankings, marking the highest position ever achieved by a Singapore-based professional team. This achievement highlights Jumpshot’s growing competitiveness and its mission to elevate 3×3 basketball in Singapore and the region.

“Breaking into the world’s top 40 is an important step for both our team and Singapore basketball,” said Esther Quek, Founder and CEO of Jumpshot Singapore. The team’s success is attributed to a blend of experienced international players and ambitious local talent. Key figures include Filip Krämer from Austria, Hungary’s Attila Demeter, and global standouts like Dillon Stith from Australia and Omer Sadeh from Israel.

Jumpshot also focuses on nurturing local talent, with players like Sergul Toh, Ron Teh, and Jackson Mah gaining exposure to international competition. “The most sustainable way to build a strong team is to mix world-class experience with local drive,” said Demeter, who also mentors within Jumpshot’s youth programme.

This strategic mix has led Jumpshot to secure podium finishes across multiple tournaments in Asia, establishing itself as one of the region’s most consistent and competitive professional 3×3 teams. As the team continues to rise, it offers a platform for Singaporean players to pursue their sporting ambitions on the international stage.

The Nippon Budokan and the Japanese Budo Association are set to present a Japanese martial arts demonstration and workshop at the Singapore Sport Hub OCBC Arena Hall 1A on 30 November 2025. This event marks Singapore’s 60th independence anniversary and aims to foster cultural ties between Japan and Singapore. The programme will run from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, featuring demonstrations by leading masters and workshops for attendees to try martial arts like Judo, Kendo, Karate, and Aikido.

The event is part of the “Japanese Budo Delegation,” which has been showcasing the traditions of Budo worldwide since 1978. Singapore is the 14th destination for the delegation, following a new operational format adopted in 2008. This visit also symbolises the deepening diplomatic relations between Japan and Singapore, which will celebrate 60 years of ties in 2026.

The programme will include nine modern Budo forms and three classical Kobudo schools, offering a comprehensive insight into Japanese martial arts. The Secretary-General of the Nippon Budokan stated, “Budo is more than a martial practice; it is a way of human education that nurtures strong and virtuous individuals in both body and mind.”

This cultural event provides Singaporeans with a unique opportunity to engage with Japanese Budo, promoting mutual understanding and celebrating the enduring friendship between the two nations. The event is open to families, students, and anyone interested in experiencing the essence of Budo.

The Singapore Digital Landscape 2025 report by AnyMind Group unveils significant insights into the evolving digital consumer behaviours in Singapore. The report, based on data from AnyMind’s platforms and local research by InQognito Insights, highlights that 54% of Singaporeans engage most with influencer-led short videos when discovering new brands, underscoring the growing influence of creator-driven content.

The study, which surveyed 1,255 consumers across the region, including Singapore, examines interactions across the marketing funnel—awareness, consideration, and conversion. It reveals that Singaporean audiences are 62% more likely to respond to sponsored influencer content. Additionally, they are 49% more likely to engage with influencer-led short videos, 45% with interactive ads, and 32% with in-game advertising.

Video ads, particularly product demos and tutorials, are most effective during the consideration stage, whilst strategic ad placement three days before a purchase significantly boosts conversions. Word of Mouth and Search remain pivotal in driving sales, highlighting the importance of trust and intent.

Toh Yi Hui, Country Manager of AnyMind Group in Singapore, noted, “Singapore’s brand-to-consumer landscape is evolving rapidly… It’s time for marketers to rethink the marketing funnel in today’s modern era.”

The report is part of a broader series covering Southeast Asia and the Middle East, aiming to equip marketers with insights for success in a digital-first world.

Penang is set to become a focal point for Korean innovation this November, as it hosts the K-Beauty Expo Malaysia 2025 and K-MediTech Expo Malaysia 2025 at the Penang Waterfront Convention Centre. Running from 20 to 22 November, these expos will highlight the latest advancements in beauty and medical technology from Korea, offering free admission to pre-registered visitors.

The K-Beauty Expo Malaysia 2025, organised by KINTEX and sponsored by the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MYCEB) and Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB), will bring the forefront of Korean beauty to Malaysia. Attendees can expect to see cutting-edge skincare, cosmetics, and medical aesthetic technologies, with opportunities to engage in live demonstrations and explore high-quality products from leading K-beauty brands.

Simultaneously, the K-MediTech Expo Malaysia 2025 will provide a comprehensive look at Korea’s healthcare and medical technology advancements. With over 150 exhibitors, the event will showcase innovations in medical devices, healthcare IT, pharmaceuticals, and wellness. Visitors will have the chance to interact with the latest equipment and attend expert demonstrations, gaining insights into solutions that enhance healthcare accessibility and efficiency.

Both expos promise interactive experiences, including live presentations and hands-on activities. Attendees can also participate in on-site events for a chance to win limited K-Beauty gifts and AEON vouchers. The expos aim to offer a unique opportunity to experience the forefront of beauty and healthcare innovations in one visit.