Regional News

Singapore’s private residential market saw a significant uptick in activity during the third quarter of 2025, with transaction volumes reaching 6,594, marking a 28.6% increase from the previous quarter. This surge occurred despite the typically quieter Chinese Seventh Month and ongoing economic uncertainties, as reported by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) flash estimates.

The URA All Residential Price Index showed a moderate quarter-on-quarter increase of 1.2%, contributing to an overall rise of 3.1% for the first nine months of the year. Leonard Tay, Head of Research at Knight Frank Singapore, noted that new launches in July and August bolstered market activity, particularly in the Core Central Region (CCR), where non-landed home prices rose by 2.4%.

Local homebuyers, including new citizens and permanent residents, have been active in the prime market segment, often purchasing for personal use or leasing to foreign professionals. The Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) of 60% for foreign buyers has further incentivised foreigners to settle in Singapore amidst global tensions.

In contrast, the Rest of Central Region (RCR) experienced a modest price increase of 0.4%, whilst the Outside Central Region (OCR) saw a 1.0% rise. Landed home prices also grew by 1.4%, with buyers showing interest in older properties or those in less central locations.

Overall, Singapore’s residential market remains on a cautious growth trajectory, supported by domestic demand and steady developer launches. However, global economic headwinds, interest rates, and unemployment levels remain key factors to monitor. With a 3.1% price movement from January to September, the year’s growth is expected to align with the projected 3% to 5% range.

Singapore has solidified its position as the third largest global foreign exchange (FX) centre, following the UK and the US, according to the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). The city-state’s average daily trading volumes (ADTV) in FX reached $1.485t in April 2025, marking a 60% increase from April 2022. This growth has boosted Singapore’s share of global FX volumes to 11.8%, up from 9.5% in 2022, as reported in the 2025 Triennial Central Bank Survey by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).

The rise in Singapore’s FX ADTV was driven by significant increases in trading volumes across major currencies, including the US dollar, Japanese yen, and Euro, which saw growth rates between 36% and 65%. Additionally, the Chinese renminbi and Australian dollar also experienced notable increases. The FX spot, forwards, and swaps, which together account for 90% of Singapore’s turnover, rose by 42% to 61% over the same period.

Interest rate derivatives also saw a rise, with average daily volumes reaching $208b in April 2025, a 33% increase from 2022. The US dollar, Japanese yen, and Australian dollar were the most actively traded currencies in this category.

Lim Cheng Khai, Executive Director of MAS’ Financial Markets Development Department, highlighted the robust growth in FX volumes, attributing it to “deeper liquidity in the Asian time-zone” and Singapore’s role as a “trusted and efficient price discovery hub.”

The BIS survey, conducted every three years, aims to enhance transparency in the over-the-counter markets and was coordinated with central banks and authorities from 52 jurisdictions. The comprehensive data was gathered from 82 financial institutions in Singapore.

KPJ Healthcare Berhad, Malaysia’s largest private hospital network, has become the first in the country to deploy NetSfere’s quantum-proof secure messaging platform across its 30 hospitals. This initiative aims to protect the sensitive data of over 3.3 million patients annually, aligning with the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health and Joint Commission International (JCI) accreditation standards.

The implementation of this secure messaging system addresses the risks associated with using consumer apps for clinical communications. By adopting a locally compliant, Malaysia-based data residency solution, KPJ Healthcare ensures robust data security in its hospital environments. This move is particularly significant in light of Malaysia’s Data Breach Notification Guidelines, which require organisations to report data breaches within 72 hours, underscoring the necessity for a secure communication infrastructure.

NetSfere’s platform replaces consumer-grade apps, proactively meeting the challenges posed by new regulations and safeguarding patient data. This sets a new standard for healthcare data protection in Malaysia, highlighting the importance of securing clinical communications amidst growing regional cybersecurity concerns.

NetSfere CEO Anurag Lal emphasised the importance of this initiative, stating that it reinforces the need for secure communication solutions in healthcare. KPJ Healthcare’s adoption of this technology not only enhances data protection but also positions the organisation as a leader in healthcare security in the region.

Coliwoo Holdings, soon to be renamed Coliwoo Holdings Limited, has lodged its preliminary prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) for an initial public offering (IPO) on the Singapore Exchange’s Mainboard. The move marks a significant step for the company as it seeks to list its ordinary shares. Maybank Securities is acting as the Issue Manager and Global Coordinator, with DBS Bank and RHB Bank Berhad as Joint Bookrunners and Underwriters.

The final prospectus will be available once registered by MAS, detailing the application process for interested investors. This document will be accessible on the MAS OPERA website and the SGX-ST website, or can be requested from Maybank Securities during office hours.

The IPO is a strategic move for Coliwoo Holdings, aiming to capitalise on the robust investment climate in Singapore. The involvement of major financial institutions like Maybank, DBS, and RHB underscores the offering’s significance. The listing is expected to enhance Coliwoo’s visibility and provide it with the capital needed for future growth initiatives.

As the company progresses towards its public listing, stakeholders and potential investors are advised to review the final prospectus for comprehensive details. The offering represents a pivotal moment for Coliwoo Holdings, positioning it for expanded operations and increased market presence.

The National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) has announced significant changes to its Board of Directors, effective 1 October 2025. Suhaimi Zainul-Abidin, a dedicated Board member since 2020, has been appointed as the new Vice Chairman. His extensive experience across various sectors is expected to provide valuable leadership perspectives for NVPC’s long-term goals.

In addition to Suhaimi’s appointment, NVPC has welcomed two new Board members: Ang Shih-Huei, CEO and Co-Founder of H/Advisors Klareco, and Edmund Siah, an Adviser at Egon Zehnder. These appointments are part of NVPC’s strategy to ensure strong governance and introduce fresh perspectives to the organisation.

The outgoing Vice Chairman, Chong Ee Rong, will step down on 30 September 2025, after making significant contributions, including her roles in the Finance and Human Resource Committees. NVPC Chairman Seah Chin Siong expressed gratitude for her leadership and welcomed the new members, stating, “The renewal of our Board reflects NVPC’s commitment to ensuring strong stewardship and access to new ideas and fresh perspectives.”

The new Board members will serve a two-year term, with eligibility for re-appointment every two years, up to a maximum of six consecutive years. This strategic renewal aims to keep NVPC responsive to emerging trends and evolving stakeholder needs, reinforcing its mission to nurture the heart of Singapore.

HDB resale prices in Singapore have experienced their smallest quarterly growth in nearly five years, with a modest increase of 0.4% in Q3 2025, according to the latest flash estimates. This slowdown comes after a 0.9% rise in Q2 2025 and a 1.6% increase in Q1 2025, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of decelerating growth. Christine Sun, Chief Researcher & Strategist at Realion (OrangeTee & ETC) Group, noted that this is the lowest quarterly growth since Q2 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The year-to-date price increase stands at 2.9%, a decline from the 3.8% and 6.9% growths recorded in the first three quarters of 2023 and 2024, respectively. Despite this, the market has seen 22 consecutive quarters of price increases since Q2 2020. The slowdown is attributed to a decrease in demand for resale flats, intensified by the launch of over 20,000 new BTO and sale-of-balance flats earlier in the year.

In October, over 9,000 new flats, including those in Mount Pleasant and Greater Southern Waterfront, are set to be released, potentially impacting resale demand further. The disparity between sellers’ high price expectations and buyers’ reluctance to meet them has led to slower negotiations and a challenging market.

The number of million-dollar transactions rose by 15.7% from 415 units in Q2 2025 to 480 units in Q3 2025, setting a new quarterly record. Notably, two 5-room flats at Pinnacle@Duxton were sold for S$1.6m and S$1.59m, respectively.

Looking ahead, HDB resale prices are expected to stabilise or slightly decline in Q4 2025, as demand typically wanes during the year-end holidays. The potential revision of the income ceiling for BTO applicants and the minimum age for singles purchasing flats could also influence the resale market, possibly leading to slower price growth or stagnation.

Indium Corporation, a leading materials manufacturer for the global electronics market, is celebrating 30 years of operations at its Asia-Pacific hub in Singapore. Established on 12 July 1995, the facility marked the company’s first global expansion and entry into the semiconductor market. The milestone was commemorated with various events, including a tree planting ceremony, attended by company executives, employees, and community members.

The Singapore facility, which has grown significantly over the years, is now one of the largest flux manufacturers in the region. It produces high-quality materials used in advanced electronics such as semiconductors, smartphones, and electric vehicles. The facility’s expansion has enabled Indium Corporation to optimise processes, provide rapid customer support, and enhance collaboration with regional partners.

President and CEO Ross Berntson expressed pride in the facility’s achievements, stating, “Our employees, customers, and partners in the region will continue to build on our success in the Asia-Pacific region by collaboratively developing world-changing materials science.” He highlighted the pioneering of ultra-low residue fluxes and die-attach materials at the facility.

Looking ahead, Indium Corporation plans to further expand the Singapore hub to meet emerging needs in AI and high-power computing. The company has also expanded its presence in the Asia-Pacific region with additional facilities in India, Malaysia, and South Korea. The Singapore facility holds IATF 16949, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 9001:2015 certifications, underscoring its commitment to quality and innovation.

EFG Bank AG has announced the appointment of Robin Heng as Vice Chairman of Southeast Asia, effective immediately. Heng, a seasoned private banking professional with three decades of experience, will be based in Singapore and report directly to Albert Chiu, Executive Chairman, Asia Pacific at EFG. This move is part of EFG’s strategy to bolster its leadership team and expand its presence in the region.

Heng’s extensive career includes his recent role as Co-Head of Private Banking at Bank of Singapore, where he significantly contributed to the growth of the bank’s Southeast Asia business. His previous positions at UBS in Singapore and Hong Kong, as well as Citigroup in Singapore, underscore his deep industry knowledge and leadership capabilities.

Chiu expressed confidence in Heng’s ability to enhance EFG’s growth strategy, stating, “I am convinced that he will make a meaningful contribution to our growth strategy in the region. With his vast experience and network, he will support our ambition to expanding our footprint in Singapore and beyond, which continues to see strong levels of wealth creation.”

Heng himself remarked on his new role, saying, “I am honoured to have been appointed to this important role. I very much look forward to working with Albert Chiu and the team, to contribute to EFG’s strategic growth plans and to further enhance our private banking offering and franchise in the region.”

EFG International, headquartered in Zurich, operates in over 40 locations worldwide, offering private banking and asset management services. This appointment is expected to further solidify EFG’s commitment to sustainable growth and capturing emerging opportunities in Southeast Asia.

Aster has announced a significant investment of $125m to revitalise Singapore’s critical offshore infrastructure. This strategic initiative focuses on upgrading the Single Buoy Mooring (SBM) and pipeline facilities, essential for high-volume energy imports and the competitiveness of Singapore’s refining and petrochemical sectors.

The contracts for this multi-phase programme have been awarded to global partners, including Allseas and DOF, who will handle the engineering, installation, and commissioning of the SBM and pipeline infrastructure. The upgraded facilities are expected to provide over 20 years of reliable service, reinforcing Singapore’s position as a vital energy and logistics hub.

Mashhad Dohadwala, Aster’s Director for Projects & Technology, emphasised the importance of robust infrastructure, stating, “The upgraded SBM pipeline is projected to provide more than 20 years of reliable service, supporting Singapore’s growth, competitiveness, and laying the groundwork for continued economic development.”

Allseas Vice President Projects, Matthijs Groenewegen, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, noting, “We are delighted to have been selected for this key infrastructure project, and look forward to working together with Aster to ensure safe and efficient delivery.”

This investment not only aims to improve operational efficiency by easing jetty capacity demand but also supports Aster’s future growth plans, including the rejuvenation of its refinery and condensate splitter unit. As Singapore continues to grow as an energy and logistics hub, this development marks a significant step in ensuring the reliability and competitiveness of its energy infrastructure.

GuocoLand has launched Faber Residence, a new 399-unit riverfront condominium located within the exclusive Faber Walk landed enclave in Clementi. The development, which is set to begin sales previews on 3 October 2025, promises a blend of landed-style living, nature connectivity, and urban convenience.

Faber Residence comprises nine five-storey blocks on a 25,795.4 sqm site, offering a mix of two- to five-bedroom flats. Notably, 80% of the units are three-bedroom or larger, designed with efficient and flexible layouts. Prices start from S$1,995 per square foot, with a two-bedroom unit priced at S$1.29m.

The development is strategically located within 1km of Nan Hua Primary School and near other reputable educational institutions such as Singapore Polytechnic and the National University of Singapore. It is also close to key business hubs, including the International Business Park and the future Jurong Lake District, enhancing its appeal to both homeowners and investors.

Residents will benefit from excellent connectivity, with the Ayer Rajah Expressway and Pan Island Expressway nearby, and several MRT stations within easy reach. The future Jurong Town Hall MRT station will further enhance accessibility.

Faber Residence offers a unique low-rise living experience amidst nature, featuring a curated network of gardens and courtyards with over 140 plant species. Residents will have direct access to the Ulu Pandan Park Connector and other nature trails, making it an attractive option for nature lovers.

Jointly developed with TID Pte. Ltd. and Hong Leong Holdings Limited, Faber Residence is expected to be completed in 2029.