Regional News

Fudan University and Singapore Management University (SMU) have elevated their 17-year partnership to a strategic level, focusing on societal challenges in the digital age. This development was formalised through a Memorandum of Agreement signed on 29 September 2025 by Fudan University President Jin Li and SMU President Lily Kong at the 2025 Fudan University-SMU Forum on Artificial Intelligence, Digital Governance, and Sustainable Societies.

The partnership builds on a history of collaboration, including joint research projects and academic programmes such as a double master’s degree in law. The new strategic alliance will focus on an interdisciplinary Joint Programme in Digital Technology and Society, integrating education, research, and community engagement. This initiative aims to develop solutions at the intersection of management, social sciences, and technology.

Jin Li highlighted the partnership as a response to national strategies like Digital China and Sustainable Development, emphasising its role in global governance. Kong noted that the partnership reflects a shared vision to deliver meaningful community impact and bridge Singapore and China through transformative education and research.

The forum preceding the signing ceremony featured discussions on artificial intelligence, digital governance, and sustainable societies. Keynote speakers included Professor Fu Xiaoming from the University of Göttingen and Associate Professor Zhu Feida from SMU, who explored topics ranging from AI in social sciences to sustainable digital futures.

The strategic partnership aims to address societal challenges, nurture future-ready talent, and develop strategies for ageing societies, contributing to more sustainable and inclusive urban environments in Singapore and Shanghai.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising cybersecurity in Singapore, with 82% of organisations already integrating AI into their security frameworks, according to a 2025 IDC survey commissioned by Fortinet. The study highlights AI’s pivotal role in enhancing speed, accuracy, and scale in security operations, as well as its influence on hiring and investment strategies.

AI’s impact is evident on both sides of the cybersecurity battle. Whilst defenders use AI to automate detection and accelerate response times, attackers are also leveraging AI for more sophisticated and adaptive threats. The survey found that 56% of Singaporean organisations faced AI-driven cyber threats in the past year, with significant increases in threat volume reported.

The adoption of AI has moved from pilot projects to full-scale operations, with companies employing AI for advanced tasks such as predictive threat modelling and AI-driven incident response. Despite this progress, trust in fully autonomous AI actions remains limited, with many organisations still in a “co-pilot” phase.

AI’s integration is reshaping the cybersecurity workforce, with roles like security data scientists and AI security engineers in high demand. This shift reflects a broader trend of building teams around AI capabilities.

Cybersecurity budgets are increasing, albeit modestly, with spending focused on identity security, network security, and cloud-native application protection. However, many teams remain under-resourced, with only a small percentage of the workforce dedicated to cybersecurity.

The survey also indicates a strategic shift towards unified cybersecurity frameworks, with 96% of respondents considering or implementing security and networking convergence. Simon Piff, Research Vice-President at IDC Asia-Pacific, noted, “AI is fundamentally reshaping how threats are identified, prioritised, and acted upon, demanding a parallel shift in cybersecurity strategy and talent.”

CapitaLand Ascendas REIT Management Limited has announced the acquisition of three industrial and logistics properties in Singapore for approximately $412.5m (S$565.8m). The properties, located in key industrial hubs, are fully occupied by tenants from the technology, logistics, and life sciences sectors. This strategic move is part of the REIT’s plan to invest $947.5m (S$1.3b) in Singapore by 2025, with the acquisitions expected to complete by the first quarter of 2026.

The properties include 2 Pioneer Sector 1, a ramp-up logistics facility; Tuas Connection, a light industrial property; and 9 Kallang Sector, a high-specifications industrial site. William Tay, Executive Director and CEO of the REIT’s manager, highlighted that these acquisitions are accretive and enhance the resilience of the REIT’s income stream due to the strong lease profile and built-in rental escalations.

Strategically located near major infrastructure such as airports and seaports, these properties are expected to increase the value of CapitaLand Ascendas REIT’s Singapore portfolio to approximately $8.96b (S$12.3b), accounting for 68% of its total assets under management. The acquisition is set to be DPU-accretive, with an expected first-year net property income yield of 6.1% post-transaction costs.

The acquisition was negotiated at a 3.9% discount to the total valuation of $428.9m (S$589m), with the total investment cost estimated at $431.3m (S$592.6m), including transaction-related fees. The REIT plans to finance the acquisition through internal resources and existing debt facilities.

Global investment institution Lighthouse Canton has announced the appointment of Abhinav Mahajan and April Wagner to its Key Clients and Institutions Wealth Advisory team in Singapore. Mahajan steps in as Managing Director, whilst Wagner assumes the role of Vice President. These appointments are part of the company’s strategy to expand its cross-border advisory and capital solutions platform.

Mahajan brings over 20 years of experience advising ultra-high-net-worth individuals and family offices across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. He has been based in Singapore for 17 years and previously worked at Bank Julius Baer, where he managed significant client portfolios. Wagner, with over two decades of experience, has focused on ultra-high-net-worth families across various markets. Her previous roles include senior positions at Bank Julius Baer and Standard Chartered Private Bank.

Amrit Singh, Global Head of Key Clients and Institutions at Lighthouse Canton, stated, “As wealth becomes more global and intergenerational, the role of investment advisory has never been more critical. Clients today demand advisers who can navigate regulatory complexity, structure bespoke solutions, and provide trusted guidance across borders.”

Lighthouse Canton continues to strengthen its market leadership through strategic partnerships and enhanced cross-border capabilities. Earlier this year, it collaborated with Swiss-based Blue Sail Partners AG to deliver sophisticated financial solutions across multiple regions. The company also advised Lotus One Investment on an S$80m acquisition in Singapore.

Headquartered in Singapore, Lighthouse Canton has expanded into major financial centres worldwide, managing over $4b in assets. Recognised by Euromoney and the Asian Private Banker Awards, the firm continues to lead in serving ultra-high-net-worth clients globally.

Singapore has signed an implementation agreement with Mongolia to collaborate on carbon credits, a move aimed at bolstering sustainable development efforts. The agreement, announced on 6 October, seeks to enhance both countries’ capabilities in carbon credit projects, which are crucial for meeting international climate commitments.

The collaboration will focus on developing and implementing carbon credit projects that align with the Paris Agreement’s goals. These projects are expected to contribute significantly to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, a critical step in combating climate change. By working together, Singapore and Mongolia aim to create a robust framework that facilitates the exchange of carbon credits, thereby promoting environmental sustainability.

This partnership is particularly significant as it marks a step forward in regional cooperation on climate action. The agreement underscores the importance of international collaboration in addressing global environmental challenges. It also highlights Singapore’s commitment to expanding its carbon credit initiatives, which are essential for achieving its climate targets.

The implementation of this agreement is expected to lead to the development of new projects that will not only benefit the environment but also provide economic opportunities for both countries. As the world continues to grapple with the impacts of climate change, such collaborations are vital for fostering sustainable growth and development.

Fullerton Fund Management has introduced the Fullerton Singapore Value-Up, the first retail fund launched under the Equity Market Development Programme (EQDP). This initiative follows Fullerton’s appointment by the Monetary Authority of Singapore as one of the initial asset managers under the EQDP, announced in July.

The fund focuses exclusively on Singapore-listed securities, spanning large, mid, and small-cap stocks, as well as initial public offerings (IPOs) and secondary listings. It aims to outperform the FTSE Straits Times All-Share Total Return Index through active management of a high-conviction portfolio of 20 to 40 stocks. The strategy is designed to identify and engage with companies undergoing transformative changes to unlock shareholder value through actions like restructuring and share buybacks.

Fullerton’s approach leverages its local expertise and deep understanding of Singapore equities, aiming to capitalise on the country’s robust economic growth and stable currency. The fund’s flexible mandate allows investments across various market capitalisation tiers, with sector allocations guided by market trends, including financials, real estate, and industrials.

Ng Yao Loong, Head of Equities at SGX Group, highlighted the fund’s potential to attract greater portfolio allocation into Singapore-listed stocks, enhancing market visibility and value creation. James Tan, Group Head of Investment Products and Advisory at DBS Bank, noted the fund’s role in making investing more accessible to retail investors, aligning with DBS’s goal to diversify investment portfolios.

Fullerton Singapore Value-Up is available as a Collective Investment Scheme to retail, accredited, and institutional investors in Singapore and other markets. The fund underscores Fullerton’s commitment to Singapore equities and long-term capital appreciation for investors.

CIMB Bank Berhad has launched a bespoke wealth management platform, marking a significant step in digitalising its wealth management services. The platform, supported by CIMB’s Chief Investment Office (CIO), provides users with direct access to digital wealth solutions, data-driven insights, and expert analysis, catering to the growing demand for digital tools in wealth management.

The CIO, the first of its kind in Malaysia, serves affluent customers by combining global market perspectives with local insights. Haniz Nazlan, CEO of Group Consumer Banking at CIMB, highlighted the platform’s ability to offer “expert in-house insights provided by a dedicated team and quicker access to customised solutions and strategy to grow wealth.” This digital transformation aims to enhance client relationships and meet investment goals.

The platform consolidates market intelligence, research publications, and interactive tools into a single digital portal. It allows users to monitor market indicators and visualise portfolio allocations based on individual risk profiles. CIMB Preferred and Private Banking clients can access personalised advisory services, whilst other users benefit from the CIO’s insights.

Nazlan emphasised, “The CIO portal represents CIMB’s commitment to providing advisory-led, insight-driven solutions that safeguard and grow our clients’ wealth.” The initiative aligns with CIMB’s Forward30 strategy, leveraging innovation and technology to deliver lasting value.

The CIO portal is now live and accessible online, offering a comprehensive digital solution for wealth management.

Singapore’s economic outlook is tilting towards a potential easing of monetary policy in January 2026, according to UOB Global Economics and Markets Research. The bank’s latest macro note suggests a 55% probability of easing at the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) January meeting, compared to a 45% chance in October 2025. This forecast is based on resilient trade indicators and a modest GDP growth projection of 0.5% quarter-on-quarter for Q3 2025.

Trade-related indicators for July and August have shown resilience, despite the impact of US tariffs. Non-oil re-exports remained robust, although there was a decline in momentum due to fading tailwinds from earlier front-loading. The bank has revised its 2025 growth forecast to 2.7%, up from a previous 2.2%, exceeding the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s range of 1.5% to 2.5%.

Inflation remains below historical averages, with core inflation projected at 0.5% for 2025 and 1.1% for 2026. UOB notes that monetary conditions have already eased, as reflected in the decline of the three-month compounded Singapore Overnight Rate Average (SORA) and the Singapore Dollar Nominal Effective Exchange Rate (S$NEER) position within the policy band.

The note also highlights potential risks from US tariffs on pharmaceuticals and electronic devices, which could affect Singapore’s exports. However, exemptions may apply to pharmaceutical firms with existing US investment plans. The situation underscores the complex dynamics of Singapore’s trade relationships and the potential impact on its economic growth trajectory.

A recent report by BVI Finance reveals that an overwhelming 95% of fintech companies in Singapore consider cross-border expansion vital to their growth strategy over the next five years. The “Destination Digital” report, based on a survey of 451 global fintech executives, highlights the importance of accessing new markets, leveraging economies of scale, and attracting fresh talent and investment as key drivers for this strategic focus.

The report also uncovers that 41% of global firms in Singapore identify blockchain or distributed ledger technology (DLT) as central to their operations. Furthermore, 47% of fintech leaders in the region cite economic sanctions and access to finance as significant trends impacting their businesses.

Additional findings specific to Singapore indicate that 68% of fintech businesses already utilise an international finance centre (IFC). Meanwhile, 48% of firms prioritise the adoption of new technologies to enhance efficiency, marking it as a top investment focus. Moreover, 29% of companies find access to international markets and banking services crucial for their operations.

Elise Donovan, CEO of BVI Finance, is available to discuss these findings further, particularly in relation to Singapore’s fintech landscape. The report underscores the strategic importance of international expansion and technological adoption for Singapore’s fintech sector, suggesting a dynamic future for the industry.

OCBC has launched an innovative upskilling programme designed to transform experienced mortgage specialists into certified wealth advisers. This four-month initiative allows these specialists to expand their roles, offering comprehensive advice on investment and insurance products alongside home loans. The programme aligns with OCBC’s strategic focus on wealth management, aiming to enhance customer relationships and service delivery.

Traditionally, mortgage specialists have been restricted to home loan services, whilst wealth advisory services were the domain of certified financial advisers. By equipping mortgage specialists with both capabilities, OCBC aims to streamline service delivery and deepen customer engagement. According to OCBC, home loan customers typically have twice as many products with the bank and 1.6 times higher assets under management compared to those without a home loan.

The programme also serves as a talent retention strategy, enabling mortgage specialists to develop new skills and remain engaged with the bank. As the first point of contact for many new customers, these specialists are well-positioned to support affluent clients by leveraging their property expertise—a key component of wealth portfolios.

Sunny Quek, Head of Global Consumer Financial Services at OCBC, stated, “This initiative not only expands their areas of expertise but also strengthens the OCBC Premier Banking proposition.” Mortgage specialist Belle Leow, who completed the programme, expressed enthusiasm about her new role, saying, “It’s not just about expanding my role—it’s a chance for personal growth.”

The programme has already seen its first batch of nine specialists, with an average tenure of nine years, complete their training and step into their expanded roles as of 1 October 2025.