Regional News

Emagene Life, a prominent figure in Asia’s functional medicine and longevity sector, has announced a significant international partnership with the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM). This collaboration, revealed on 30 September 2025, aims to enhance the practice of functional medicine worldwide by integrating clinical excellence, education, and cross-disciplinary partnerships.

The partnership is set to leverage the strengths of both organisations, with Emagene Life bringing its expertise in longevity and functional medicine, and IFM contributing its 30-year legacy as a leading voice in the field. The alliance is expected to accelerate advancements in AI-driven healthcare, offering innovative solutions to medical challenges.

Emagene Life’s spokesperson highlighted the importance of this collaboration, stating, “This partnership aligns us with the confident and competent practice of functional medicine worldwide.” The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into healthcare is anticipated to revolutionise patient care, making it more personalised and effective.

The collaboration is not just a milestone for Emagene Life but also a significant step forward in the global healthcare landscape. By combining resources and expertise, the partnership aims to set new standards in functional medicine and longevity, potentially influencing healthcare practices on a global scale.

As the partnership unfolds, both organisations are expected to unveil new initiatives and programmes that will further solidify their commitment to advancing healthcare. This collaboration marks a pivotal moment in the journey towards more integrated and innovative healthcare solutions.

Knight Frank Singapore has relaunched the Expression of Interest (EOI) exercise for the sale of 4 & 6 Lorong 12 Geylang, a prime redevelopment site strategically located in a maturing city-fringe area. Zoned “Commercial/Institution” under the URA Master Plan 2019, the freehold property spans 3,659 sq ft with a plot ratio of 2.8, offering a maximum gross floor area (GFA) of 10,245 sq ft.

The site, currently featuring a 2-storey building with an attic, presents potential investors with the opportunity to develop a new commercial or institutional building. Possible uses include offices, recreation clubs, commercial schools, and community facilities, subject to approval from relevant authorities. Its proximity to Kallang MRT station and major expressways enhances its accessibility, whilst the nearby Verandah @ Kallang development promises a vibrant future neighbourhood.

The Geylang precinct is undergoing significant rejuvenation, with recent developments such as an 8-storey institution building at 2 Lorong 12 Geylang and a 5-storey commercial building at 2 Sims Way. The area has seen active investment interest, including the recent $30 million sale of 30-32J Lorong 22 Geylang.

Mary Sai, Executive Director of Capital Markets at Knight Frank Singapore, highlighted the site’s appeal: “4 & 6 Lorong 12 Geylang presents numerous development opportunities for incoming investors. Its city-fringe location and freehold tenure are attractive not only to end-users but also to investors looking to ride on the precinct’s ongoing rejuvenation.”

The property is available with vacant possession at a guide price of $9.5m, translating to $926 per square foot on the maximum allowable GFA. The EOI exercise closes on 30 October 2025 at 3 PM.

The private residential market in Singapore has shown resilience with a notable increase in property prices and sales volume during the third quarter of 2025. According to the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), the property price index rose by 1.2% in Q3, up from 1% in Q2 and 0.8% in Q1. Year-to-date, prices have grown by 3.1%, surpassing the 1.6% growth in the same period in 2024.

Non-landed homes experienced a faster price growth, with a rise from 0.7% in Q2 to 1.1% in Q3. In the prime Core Central Region (CCR), prices increased by 2.4% quarter-on-quarter, although this was slower than the 3% rise in the previous quarter. The suburban Outside of Central Region (OCR) saw a 1% increase, slightly down from 1.1% in Q2, whilst the Rest of Central Region (RCR) reversed a 1.1% drop in Q2 with a 0.4% rise in Q3.

Christine Sun, Chief Researcher & Strategist at Realion, noted that the price growth in the CCR was driven by a significant increase in new sale transactions, which jumped from 44 units in Q2 to 896 units in Q3. Similarly, new sales in the OCR rose from 263 units to 1,279 units, and the RCR registered 1,067 units, up from 883 units in Q2. The overall price increase was also influenced by a 24.1% rise in higher-priced transactions, with 1,340 units sold for more than $2.2m (S$3m) in Q3, compared to 1,080 units in Q2.

Looking ahead, demand for new homes is expected to remain strong in the final quarter of the year, with several new developments set to launch. Developers are likely to expedite project launches to capitalise on the positive sales momentum. Additionally, with the Federal Reserve’s recent interest rate cut and potential further reductions, property investment is expected to become more attractive. Prices for the overall market are anticipated to rise by 3.5% to 5% for the whole of 2025.

HSBC Global Private Banking has announced a series of senior appointments across Southeast Asia and the Global India market, aiming to bolster its frontline and risk management capabilities. These strategic hires reflect HSBC’s commitment to expanding its services for high-net-worth (HNW) and ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) clients in the region, enhancing its ability to offer cross-border solutions.

The appointments include Edy Panggabean as Senior Relationship Manager and Cluster Head for Indonesia, and Xilin Yeo as Relationship Manager, both joining from UBS Global Wealth Management. Kraisit Buakruen has been appointed as Relationship Manager in Singapore, bringing experience from Kasikornbank. Fiona Gan joins the Greater China team, whilst Shobana Vaidhyanathan and Sangeet Batra strengthen the Global India team in Singapore.

In addition to expanding its frontline team, HSBC is enhancing its client lifecycle management (CLM) and risk functions. Clarence Arokiasamy has been named Regional Head of CLM, and Souvik Bera joins as Regional Head of CDD Business Advisory. Samm Zhuo will lead CLM in Singapore, and Minying Chen will oversee CDD Quality Assurance. Liam Gormley has been appointed Senior Business Financial Crime Risk Manager.

Tommy Leung, Head of Global Private Banking, South Asia, stated, “Our ambition is not just to grow, but to grow responsibly. We are investing in both our frontline bankers and our client lifecycle management teams to ensure that as our clients’ needs expand across borders, we are able to meet them with the highest standards of service, security, and risk management.”

These appointments underscore HSBC’s dual focus on delivering personalised solutions and strengthening safeguards, positioning the bank for sustainable growth over the next three to five years.

Trident Digital Tech and OutDrive GP have announced a strategic partnership to support the Grand Prix Season Singapore 2025 (GPSS 2025) by activating participation for the GPSS Apex League. This sim racing competition, powered by OutDrive GP, will be held at key hubs in Singapore, including Clarke Quay Fountain Square, from 29 September to 3 October 2025.

The collaboration is part of the Singapore Tourism Board’s initiative, which includes 16 new programme partners for GPSS 2025, aiming to boost visibility and fan engagement during the prestigious motorsport event. The GPSS Apex League will feature a public sim racing tournament on 30 September and 1 October, culminating in a Finals and Exhibition Race on 2 October, showcasing professional drivers, top sim racers, and key opinion leaders.

Trident will leverage its Tridentity ecosystem and extensive network to promote the GPSS Apex League, encouraging sign-ups for the public tournament through its mailing list and app. The company will also integrate event details within its digital platforms to engage motorsport enthusiasts and casual fans.

Soon Huat Lim, CEO of Trident, expressed excitement about the collaboration, stating, “The GPSS 2025 promises to bring a series of superb experiences to Singapore. We are thrilled to collaborate with OutDrive GP to bring cutting-edge sim racing to the event and do our part to support this key campaign.”

Ashwant Venkatram, founder of OutDrive GP, highlighted the partnership’s potential, saying, “OutDrive GP is an entertainment-based sim racing company built to get the masses racing on sims and having fun, with the chance to compete against drivers like Valtteri Bottas and Romain Grosjean.”

SC Capital Partners, a Singapore-based real estate investment firm, has partnered with CapitaLand Investment Limited (CLI) to launch the SC GCC Real Estate Industrial Development Fund (GRID) in the UAE. This inaugural fund aims to transform Ras Al Khaimah with a flagship industrial project that will create 1,800 jobs, host over 50 tenants, and cover 300,000 sqm of land.

The project, located in the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone, is supported by His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah. The initiative aligns with the UAE’s growth in industrial and logistics sectors, driven by e-commerce and Industry 4.0 initiatives. The development will attract high-tech and smart manufacturing enterprises, particularly from Asia, enhancing supply chain resilience and innovation.

SC Capital Partners will collaborate with THi Holding Management Corporation, which will manage and operate the project. Suchad Chiaranussati, Chairman of SC Capital Partners, stated, “The launch of our inaugural GRID fund marks a significant milestone in our expansion strategy.”

Andrew Lim, Group Chief Operating Officer of CLI, added, “CLI’s co-sponsorship of GRID demonstrates our agility in co-creating funds that capture timely opportunities.”

The fund has also identified development opportunities in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, aligning with the UAE’s ambitions for economic diversification and global connectivity.

Klook has unveiled its largest year-end campaign, The Klook Arcade, offering Singaporean travellers a chance to win exciting prizes with every booking until 31 December 2025. The campaign includes daily Spin & Win vouchers, monthly top spender prizes such as cruise trips and hotel stays, and a grand prize of a JMEV Elight electric car.

The campaign also features the Klook Travel Fest: Arcade Edition, an online event from 1 October to 11 November 2025. This event brings an arcade-like experience to users’ phones, with weekly destination spotlights, Klook Quests, and flash sales offering up to S$100 off.

This initiative aims to make holiday planning more engaging and rewarding for travellers. By integrating interactive elements and substantial rewards, Klook seeks to enhance the travel booking experience, encouraging more users to explore new destinations.

The campaign’s innovative approach not only incentivises travel but also aligns with Klook’s strategy to boost user engagement through gamified experiences. As the year-end approaches, Singaporean travellers have a unique opportunity to plan their holidays whilst potentially winning significant prizes.

Hong Leong Holdings, alongside Hong Realty and GuocoLand, is set to launch Penrith, a 462-unit residential development in Queenstown, Singapore. This marks the first private residential project in the area since 2018. Public previews will begin on 3 October, with sales starting on 18 October. Prices for units start at $1.095m (S$1.495m).

Located on Margaret Drive, Penrith offers a prime city-fringe location with easy access to Queenstown MRT and key amenities. The development features two 40-storey towers with units ranging from two to four bedrooms. Inspired by the historic market town of Cumbria, England, Penrith incorporates English influences in its design, blending heritage architecture with modern living.

Betsy Chng, Head of Sales and Marketing at Hong Leong Holdings, highlighted Queenstown’s appeal, citing its central location and vibrant community. “We are optimistic that Penrith will see healthy demand,” she stated.

Penrith’s strategic location ensures excellent connectivity and proximity to educational institutions and shopping centres. The development is part of the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s Master Plan, promising continued renewal and growth potential in the area. The sales gallery will be open for preview until 15 October, offering potential buyers a glimpse into this unique blend of tradition and modernity.

Thakral Corporation Ltd has successfully divested its Yotsubashi Nakano Building in Osaka, Japan, for JPY5.3b, achieving a 13.7% premium over its book value. This strategic move, completed on 30 September, has unlocked approximately S$6.4m in cash flow and generated a one-off attributable profit of S$2 million for the company.

The divestment is part of Thakral’s ongoing strategy to recycle capital and enhance long-term value. The building, located in one of Osaka’s prime commercial districts, was acquired in Q4 2014 for JPY2.17b. Since then, it has delivered a strong equity internal rate of return (IRR) of about 18% per annum. The proceeds from the sale will bolster Thakral’s working capital and support its plans to reinvest in opportunities that drive future growth.

Inderbethal Singh Thakral, CEO and Executive Director of Thakral, stated, “This divestment reflects our disciplined approach to capital recycling and value realisation. The proceeds strengthen our balance sheet and enable us to redeploy capital into opportunities that enhance our earnings profile and long-term growth.”

Despite the sale, Thakral maintains a significant presence in the Osaka office market with five remaining office properties and one hotel. The company has also increased its stake in Thakral Japan Properties Pte Ltd to 56.96% following a share buyback.

Thakral Corporation, listed on the SGX Mainboard, continues to expand its investment portfolio across Australia, Japan, and Singapore, focusing on sectors such as lifestyle resorts, beauty, and technology.

Metro Holdings Limited has announced the appointment of Erwin Wuysang-Oei as the new Chief Executive Officer of Metro (Private) Limited, effective 1 October 2025. This strategic move is part of the company’s senior management succession plan aimed at driving the transformation of its retail division.

Wuysang-Oei, who has been with Metro since 2012, previously served as Chief Operating Officer from November 2023. With over 18 years of experience in the retail industry, he has played a crucial role in Metro’s omnichannel transformation, enhancing market competitiveness, operational efficiency, and customer engagement. His appointment underscores Metro’s commitment to continuity and innovation in a rapidly evolving retail landscape.

Executive Chairman of Metro (Private) Limited, Wong Sioe Hong, highlighted Wuysang-Oei’s deep understanding of the company’s business and culture. “His extensive experience in omnichannel retail and proven track record in driving operational excellence make him well-placed to lead Metro’s retail into its next chapter,” she stated.

Group CEO of Metro Holdings, Yip Hoong Mun, emphasised the importance of retail to Metro’s business strategy, noting that Wuysang-Oei’s experience will be instrumental in building resilience within the division. Wuysang-Oei expressed his honour at the appointment, stating, “We will continue to build on our strong foundation, enhance our current business, and embrace transformation to stay relevant in today’s dynamic retail landscape.”

Metro Holdings, listed on the Singapore Exchange since 1973, operates in property investment and development, as well as retail, with a presence in Singapore, China, Indonesia, the UK, and Australia.