Regional News

Collinson International and Sompo have announced the expansion of their strategic partnership to launch Sompo Smart Delay in Singapore, mainland China, and Malaysia. This initiative allows policyholders of selected Sompo travel insurance plans to access over 1,800 airport lounges and travel experiences during flight delays, enhancing the travel experience by transforming disruptions into more comfortable situations.

Eligible policyholders must register their flights at least two hours in advance in Singapore, or three hours in Malaysia and mainland China, to benefit from the service. In the event of a delay, they receive a digital access voucher for immediate use, granting access to airport lounges or alternative experiences such as spa sessions or restaurant discounts, without needing to file a claim.

The expansion comes amid rising flight disruptions, with 54 million travellers in the Asia Pacific (APAC) affected by delays over one hour in the first half of 2025. According to Collinson International’s report, “Tomorrow’s Journey: Smarter, Faster, Connected,” 80% of APAC travellers have visited a lounge at least once, highlighting the importance of premium services in airports.

Todd Handcock, Chief Commercial Officer at Collinson International, stated, “As lounge access and premium services become increasingly important to travellers, particularly in the event of a flight delay, this expansion underscores our shared commitment to elevating the travel experience across APAC.”

Bill Zhang, President of Consumer Lines at Sompo, added, “Leveraging Collinson International’s extensive portfolio of airport lounges and travel network, this new feature will enhance the travel experience and reinforce our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our customers.”

The 2025 Consumer Survey by Superbrands Singapore reveals significant changes in Singaporeans’ purchasing habits, driven by rising living costs, artificial intelligence (AI), and influencers. Released on 27 October, the survey shows that 44% of consumers are considering switching brands due to higher costs, whilst AI tools and influencers play a growing role in shaping decisions.

Conducted in September 2025 with 1,500 participants aged 16 to 64, the survey highlights evolving consumer mindsets. “We are at a pivotal moment where consumers feel positive about getting influenced by recommendations they trust,” said Mark Pointer, CEO of Superbrands Singapore. The findings indicate that brand loyalty is increasingly shaped by technology, value perception, and authenticity.

Nearly half of Singaporeans are open to switching to cheaper brands, provided quality remains consistent. Only 9% remain loyal to their current brands regardless of price, underscoring the importance of value perception.

AI’s influence is notable, with 31% of respondents having purchased products based on AI suggestions. An additional 37% expect AI to influence future purchases, though 25% would ignore AI recommendations, highlighting the ongoing importance of human trust.

Influencers also impact purchasing decisions, with 42% of consumers influenced by social media personalities, particularly those seen as experts or relatable. However, 29% report no influence from influencers, emphasising the importance of credibility and authenticity.

These insights will be celebrated at the Superbrands Awards Ceremony on 11 November 2025, recognising Singapore’s most respected brands.

Kingspan, a leader in high-performance insulation and building solutions, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Meranti Green Steel, a Singapore-based company, to procure green steel in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. This partnership aims to support Kingspan’s Planet Passionate programme, which focuses on reducing carbon emissions and enhancing the environmental performance of its products.

Meranti Green Steel will supply Kingspan with green steel from its upcoming plant in Thailand, set to commence construction at the end of 2026 and be operational by the end of 2029. This plant will be Southeast Asia’s first major green steel facility, using scrap and hot briquetted iron (HBI) produced with green hydrogen and natural gas, processed in electric arc furnaces.

The collaboration is expected to accelerate the availability of green steel in the APAC region, where demand is projected to grow rapidly from 2024 to 2034. Meranti Green Steel plans to deliver seven to eight million tonnes of green steel annually through strategic hubs in Thailand, Oman, and potentially Indonesia and Western Australia.

Mark Broderick, Kingspan’s Procurement Director, emphasised the importance of global collaboration for decarbonisation, stating, “Decarbonisation cannot happen in isolation – it requires a global approach and meaningful collaboration with industry partners.” Harold Quek, VP of Business Development at Meranti Green Steel, highlighted the shared commitment to lower carbon building materials, saying, “This collaboration with Kingspan reflects the shared urgency to accelerate the transition towards lower carbon building materials in the Asia Pacific.”

Kingspan’s Phu My facility in Vietnam, which supplies insulated panels across Asia, recently received LEED Platinum certification, underscoring the company’s commitment to sustainability.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) will enforce a new regulation from 1 December 2025, requiring all unmanned aircraft (UA) over 250 grams to be equipped with Broadcast Remote Identification (B-RID) technology. This mandate excludes drones operated indoors or in enclosed environments and those with an Operator Permit using the FlyItSafe app. The B-RID system, described as a “digital licence plate,” uses Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to transmit data such as the drone’s position and operator details.

Announced in November 2024, the regulation provided over a year for compliance. CAAS offered to cover the cost of B-RID modules and installation for applications submitted between 1 January and 31 March 2025. As of 15 October 2025, 17,300 drones were registered without in-built B-RID, and CAAS has distributed 6,300 free modules. Some operators have installed their own modules, whilst others may choose not to fly unequipped drones.

CAAS emphasises the importance of this requirement due to the risks posed by unlawful drone operations to public safety and security. Non-compliance or broadcasting false identification information could result in fines up to $10,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both. Tan Kah Han, Senior Director of the Unmanned Systems Group at CAAS, stated, “The new requirement will be crucial in light of the current security landscape around the world where unlawful use of drones can pose a serious threat to aviation and public safety and security.”

The initiative underscores CAAS’s commitment to maintaining safe skies whilst supporting unmanned aircraft operations.

AIA Singapore’s latest Corporate Wellness Study has uncovered significant gaps in workplace wellness programmes, particularly in mental and financial wellness offerings. The study, released today, highlights a misalignment between what employees value and what employers provide, with mental wellness programmes being underutilised despite their availability in 83% of organisations.

The study reveals that whilst mental wellness is highly valued, only 67% of employees utilise these programmes, compared to higher engagement in physical, social, and financial wellness initiatives. This underutilisation is concerning, as poor mental health can lead to productivity losses of up to 40%. Kenneth Tan, Chief Corporate Solutions Officer at AIA Singapore, emphasised the need for employers to address barriers such as time constraints and poor accessibility to improve participation.

Financial wellness programmes are also underprovided, with only 51% of employers offering them despite strong employee demand. This gap presents an opportunity for businesses to better support their workforce, especially in an uncertain economic climate.

As companies plan to expand wellness offerings, awareness remains a challenge, with less than 30% of employees aware of existing programmes. Improved communication and customised solutions could enhance engagement, reflecting a growing recognition of the importance of tailored wellness initiatives. AIA Singapore’s WorkWell programme aims to address these needs by supporting employees’ physical, mental, financial, and social health.

YTL PowerSeraya has announced a landmark S$500m transition financing deal with DBS, Maybank, and OCBC to develop Singapore’s first hydrogen-ready Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) plant. This initiative, revealed during the Singapore International Energy Week 2025, marks the nation’s inaugural transition finance deal aligned with the Singapore-Asia Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance.

The financing is part of a broader S$1.2b term loan facility, with the banks also acting as joint Sustainability Structuring Advisers. This milestone underscores growing confidence in the commercial viability of transition technologies and sets a precedent for sustainable project financing in the region.

In addition to the financing, YTL PowerSeraya is collaborating with Siemens Energy to retrofit the 396MW Taser Power Plant with an Advanced Turbine Efficiency Package. This upgrade aims to enhance performance and reduce emissions, potentially cutting carbon emissions by up to 11,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually upon completion in December 2025.

Furthermore, YTL PowerSeraya is conducting carbon capture feasibility studies with Air Liquide and GE Vernova for its upcoming 600MW Hydrogen-Ready CCGT at Pulau Seraya Power Station, targeted for completion by 31 December 2027. These studies, supported by the Energy Market Authority’s Power Sector Carbon Capture and Storage Grant Call, aim to explore both pre- and post-combustion carbon capture technologies.

These initiatives position YTL PowerSeraya at the forefront of Singapore’s energy transition, contributing significantly to the nation’s net-zero emission vision by 2050.

CBRE has announced the sale of a 2-storey terrace factory located at 51 Quality Road within Singapore’s JTC Food Zone, with an asking price of $4.5m. The sale, conducted via private treaty, presents a unique opportunity for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to acquire a strategic site for food manufacturing and distribution.

The property spans approximately 13,499 square feet of land and offers a gross floor area of about 10,795 square feet, with potential expansion to 18,899 square feet. Zoned as “Business 2” under the Master Plan 2019, it supports a wide range of industrial uses. The building features warehouse ceiling heights of up to 7 metres and a 300 Amp 3-phase power supply, designed for operational efficiency.

Located within a vibrant food ecosystem, the factory is surrounded by reputable food companies and complementary businesses such as cold chain logistics and food processing. This creates strong synergies for potential occupiers. The property is well-connected, with easy access to the city centre, seaport, and other parts of Singapore via major expressways. It is also a short walk from the future Enterprise MRT station on the Jurong Region Line.

Graeme Bolin, Head of Occupier and Leasing, Industrial and Logistics Services at CBRE, highlighted the property’s strategic advantages: “51 Quality Road represents a compelling opportunity for food manufacturers and distributors to secure a strategic foothold in Singapore’s established food zone.”

With a remaining land tenure of approximately 19 years, this asset offers long-term operational certainty at an attractive price, making it an ideal choice for SMEs looking to future-proof their operations.

Acclime, a prominent corporate services and advisory firm, has announced its acquisition of Crowe Singapore, a leading accounting and advisory practice in Singapore. This strategic move, revealed on 28 October 2025, marks a significant milestone in Acclime’s expansion, positioning it as one of the largest professional services firms in Singapore. The acquisition aims to bolster Acclime’s service offerings across Asia Pacific and the Middle East, enhancing its ability to serve a diverse clientele, including regional enterprises, multinationals, and family offices.

Crowe Singapore brings extensive expertise in assurance, tax, and advisory services, complementing Acclime’s strengths in corporate governance, compliance, and fund administration. The merger promises to deliver consistent service standards and coordinated expertise across all markets. Izzy Silva, Group CEO of Acclime, stated, “Crowe Singapore is one of the most trusted names in the market, and together we’ve created a platform that fundamentally elevates what clients can expect from a regional partner.”

Tan Kuang Hui, Managing Partner of Crowe Singapore, expressed enthusiasm about the merger, noting, “Joining Acclime allows us to bring our clients into a broader ecosystem of expertise and innovation.”

This acquisition is part of Acclime’s broader strategy to enhance its advisory services and fund administration capabilities. Recent acquisitions in Hong Kong SAR, Australia, and New Zealand have strengthened its advisory offerings, enabling the firm to provide sophisticated solutions alongside its core services. The integration of Crowe Singapore underscores Acclime’s commitment to delivering exceptional service through enhanced market knowledge and international reach.

Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) and the Energy Market Authority (EMA) have partnered with the International Tracking Standard Foundation (I-TRACK Foundation) to create a framework for Cross-Border Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) in Southeast Asia. This initiative seeks to address the complexities of tracking renewable energy across borders due to varying government regulations in the region.

The framework will standardise the tracking and accounting of cross-border RECs, focusing on the physical flow of electricity, permissible REC registries, and the calculation of the residual mix. This standardisation is expected to enhance confidence among companies purchasing cross-border RECs, ensuring exclusive claims for sustainability reporting. The framework also aligns with ongoing efforts by the ASEAN Centre of Energy to develop a regional REC framework by 2027.

Minister of State for Trade and Industry, Gan Siow Huang, highlighted the significance of the framework, stating it reflects Singapore’s commitment to advancing credible cross-border electricity trade and fostering regional collaboration. EMA’s Chief Executive, Puah Kok Keong, emphasised the importance of credibility and trust in REC transactions for driving cross-border electricity trade.

The I-TRACK Foundation’s Roble P. Velasco-Rosenheim noted that the initiative is a meaningful step towards credible cross-border electricity trade tracking in the ASEAN region. The framework will align with international standards, such as those being developed by the I-TRACK Foundation, which are set to be released by the end of 2025.

The development of this framework is supported by organisations including the Climate Group’s RE100 initiative, the ASEAN Centre of Energy, and the Asia Clean Energy Coalition. These collaborations underscore the framework’s potential to strengthen the commercial viability of renewable energy projects across Southeast Asia.

The Energy Market Authority (EMA) of Singapore and the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the Singapore International Energy Week 2025. This agreement is designed to strengthen regulatory exchanges and enhance cooperation in the energy sector between the two nations.

The MOU establishes a framework for collaboration, focusing on the sharing of regulatory practices in gas and electricity markets. It also aims to facilitate greater knowledge exchange on low-carbon technologies and deepen cooperation at multilateral platforms, supporting the region’s energy transition. Key activities under this agreement include knowledge and experience sharing, training and exchange programmes, and dialogues between EMA and AER.

Puah Kok Keong, Chief Executive of EMA, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “Energy regulators are at the heart of the energy transition and EMA is delighted to deepen our cooperation with the AER on regulatory best practices and low-carbon energy technologies.” This collaboration builds on the longstanding bilateral energy cooperation and marks the 60th year of diplomatic relations between Singapore and Australia.

Justin Oliver, Deputy Chair of the AER, highlighted the importance of the partnership, saying, “The AER is proud to further its partnership with the Singapore Energy Market Authority and with regulators across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Through sharing expertise and experiences, we can strengthen efforts to support energy security and the energy transition across the region.”

This MOU signifies a significant step in fostering international cooperation in the energy sector, with potential long-term benefits for energy security and sustainability in the region.