Regional News

Singapore’s fintech sector has experienced a significant rebound, attracting nearly $1.04b in investments across 90 deals in the first half of 2025, according to KPMG’s Pulse of Fintech H1 2025 report. This marks the highest investment level since H1 2023, despite a global decline in fintech investments.

The payments sector led the surge, raising $474.66 million (US$474.66 million), driven by major deals such as Airwallex’s $301m raise. This represents an almost eightfold increase from the second half of 2024, highlighting the growing demand for digital payment solutions. The digital assets and currencies sector also showed resilience, securing $254.10m across 48 deals, whilst the AI and machine learning sector attracted $234.5m through 22 deals.

Anton Ruddenklau, Partner and Head of Financial Services at KPMG in Singapore, noted, “In a climate shaped by global trade tensions, the ability to enable decentralised, tech-driven, and non-traditional financial solutions will be critical.”

Globally, fintech investments fell to $44.7b across 2,216 deals in H1 2025, the lowest since H1 2020. Despite this, Singapore’s robust regulatory frameworks and trusted financial ecosystem have positioned it as a strategic hub for fintech innovation.

Looking forward, the emphasis on scalable, tech-enabled platforms is expected to continue, with investors prioritising solutions that address the complexities of international payments and support digital transformation.

Sam Edelman, the renowned American footwear brand, has officially opened its first boutique in Malaysia, located at The Gardens Mall in Kuala Lumpur. This marks a significant step in the brand’s expansion across Southeast Asia, following the successful launch of its Singapore boutique in 2024. The new store offers Malaysian shoppers a taste of Sam Edelman’s signature blend of timeless American elegance and modern sophistication.

The boutique, situated on the first floor of The Gardens Mall, showcases Sam Edelman’s core collection. Shoppers can expect to find iconic designs such as the effortless Bay Sandal, the sleek Hazel Pump, the polished Loraine Loafer, and the classic Michaela Flat. These pieces exemplify the brand’s enduring appeal and commitment to refined yet attainable luxury.

The store’s interior reflects Sam Edelman’s modern-luxe aesthetic, featuring sleek lines, warm lighting, and elegant gold accents. This inviting atmosphere aims to provide a sophisticated shopping experience for customers.

The opening of the Kuala Lumpur boutique is a milestone for Sam Edelman as it continues to expand its presence in the region. The brand’s entry into the Malaysian market is expected to attract fashion-conscious consumers seeking high-quality, stylish footwear options. As Sam Edelman continues its growth journey, the new boutique is set to become a key destination for footwear enthusiasts in Malaysia.

Condo resale prices in Singapore experienced a notable rise in August 2025, with the Core Central Region (CCR), Rest of Central Region (RCR), and Outside Central Region (OCR) seeing increases of 3.7%, 0.4%, and 0.4%, respectively. The SRX Price Index for Condo Resale indicated a month-on-month overall price increase of 0.3%, and a year-on-year rise of 5.4% compared to August 2024.

The market saw an estimated 1,088 units resold in August, marking a 5% increase from July 2025. However, resale volumes were 3.7% lower than in August 2024, remaining stable compared to the five-year average for the month. The OCR accounted for 49.2% of transactions, RCR for 32.6%, and CCR for 18.2%.

Luqman Hakim, Chief Data & Analytics Officer at 99.co, noted that the market’s usual slowdown during August due to school holidays and the Hungry Ghost month might shift as new launches, such as The SEN and Zyon Grand, are anticipated in the coming months. “Buyers may be keeping an eye on the new launch market,” he commented.

The highest resale price in August was S$15.8m ($11.5m) for a unit in Geylang. The overall median capital gain for resale condos was S$390,000 ($285,000), with District 22 posting the highest median capital gain at S$663,000 ($485,000).

As the market anticipates new launches, the resale sector may experience fluctuations depending on how these projects are priced and received.

The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) have signed an enhanced Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement – Implementation Procedures for Airworthiness (BASA-IPA) on 23 September 2025. The agreement, signed by FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford and CAAS Director-General Han Kok Juan, aims to streamline the validation process for certain aircraft modification designs between the two countries.

The enhanced agreement will see the FAA recognising CAAS approvals for minor aircraft modifications, all aircraft repairs, and minor changes to article designs. This development is expected to benefit Singapore-based companies requiring US approval for their work. “This agreement underscores a significant step forward in our efforts with CAAS,” said Bedford. “By streamlining regulatory processes whilst maintaining the highest standards of safety, we’re strengthening global aviation partnerships and fostering innovation for the aerospace industry worldwide.”

Han highlighted the importance of the agreement, stating, “The expansion of the CAAS-FAA mutual recognition agreement is testament to our close partnership and the trust and confidence and marks a new milestone in Singapore-US aviation cooperation.”

The FAA and CAAS first signed a BASA-IPA in 2007. The latest enhancement follows a joint review, including site visits by the FAA to Singapore-based aviation and aerospace companies, further solidifying the collaborative efforts between the two nations.

Veson Nautical recently hosted a summit in Singapore, bringing together over 200 maritime industry leaders to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and digitalisation in commercial shipping. The event, which included representatives from more than 60 companies across the Asia-Pacific region, focused on how a unified platform can enhance productivity and efficiency throughout the voyage lifecycle.

Chief Product Officer Eric Christofferson highlighted Veson’s approach to integrating AI into its solutions, emphasising the importance of freeing up time for human interactions and strategic decision-making. “We are fortunate to have solutions that enable workflows across the entire voyage lifecycle, and we think that AI has a place in almost every, if not all, of our products and solutions,” he stated.

The summit also addressed the challenges faced by shipowners, operators, and charterers in adapting to volatile markets, evolving regulations, and sustainability pressures. Discussions underscored the role of digitalisation as a crucial tool for gaining a decision-making advantage.

The event concluded with an executive panel featuring leaders from Veson Nautical, BHP, IMC Industrial Group, and Wah Kwong Maritime. The panel stressed the need for industry collaboration to balance AI adoption with accuracy and compliance in a rapidly changing market.

Veson Nautical’s co-founder and CEO, John Veson, emphasised the importance of streamlining operations and enhancing collaboration through a connected platform. “By delivering a connected platform that streamlines operations and enhances collaboration, we can help clients make smarter decisions in a volatile market,” he remarked. The summit highlighted the ongoing evolution of the maritime industry and the critical role of digital transformation in achieving commercial success.

Allianz Malaysia Berhad has been acknowledged for its outstanding corporate governance, securing a spot among the Top 50 ASEAN Public Listed Companies in the 2024 ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard (ACGS) Regional Assessment. This accolade underscores the company’s dedication to maintaining high governance standards and its influential role within the ASEAN region.

The recognition highlights Allianz Malaysia’s leadership in governance practices, as noted by its Chief Executive Officer, Sean Wang. “Allianz Malaysia’s achievement in the ACGS Regional Assessment is a testament to our steadfast commitment to upholding the highest standards of corporate governance,” Wang stated. This achievement not only affirms the company’s leadership but also strengthens its reputation as a trusted corporate entity in the region.

The ACGS Regional Assessment evaluates public listed companies across ASEAN, focusing on their adherence to corporate governance principles. Allianz Malaysia’s inclusion in the top 50 reflects its commitment to transparency, accountability, and ethical business practices.

This recognition is expected to enhance Allianz Malaysia’s standing in the corporate world, potentially attracting more investors and partners who value strong governance. As the company continues to uphold these standards, it sets a benchmark for other firms in the region, promoting a culture of excellence in corporate governance.

Olam Agri and AGRA have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen sustainable food and feed value chains in Nigeria and Ghana, with plans for future expansion across Africa. This collaboration, announced at the Africa Food Systems Forum 2025 in Senegal, seeks to improve food security and farmer livelihoods by leveraging Olam Agri’s market presence and AGRA’s expertise in agrifood systems.

The partnership focuses on scaling smallholder farmer programmes in soy, wheat, maize, and rice in Nigeria. Additionally, it aims to expand initiatives for poultry and aquaculture farmers, as well as baker programmes in Nigeria and Ghana, enhancing food safety, nutrition, and profitability. The collaboration builds on previous successful cooperation in the rice value chain, which supported over 5,000 smallholder farmers in Nigeria’s Niger state.

AGRA’s “New AGRA Strategy 3.0” will guide the initiative, focusing on seed systems development, inclusive markets, and government engagement. Olam Agri will contribute its market access, technical expertise, and digital tools to enhance productivity and sustainability across the value chain.

Saurabh Mehra of Olam Agri stated, “Through this partnership, we will scale our sustainability projects with farmers and bakers in Nigeria and Ghana.” AGRA President Alice Ruhweza added, “This partnership empowers African smallholder farmers and communities to thrive.”

The collaboration aims to promote climate-smart agriculture, empower women and youth, and strengthen market access. By joining forces, Olam Agri and AGRA aim to create a more resilient and inclusive food system for Africa.

SC Ventures by Standard Chartered and Fujitsu have announced a collaboration to incubate Project Quanta, a platform designed to accelerate the adoption of quantum computing and quantum-inspired applications. This initiative will leverage Fujitsu’s expertise in quantum research and development, alongside SC Ventures’ venture-building capabilities, to develop solutions initially targeting the financial services sector.

The joint venture will focus on integrating advanced hardware and software technologies to provide clients with a comprehensive platform for exploring and deploying quantum applications. Apurv Suri, Client Engagement and Partnerships Lead at SC Ventures, highlighted the fragmented nature of the current quantum development industry, stating, “By joining forces with Fujitsu, we want to unlock quantum resources and talent on one platform for corporates looking to scale their quantum capabilities.”

Fujitsu is currently developing a 1,000-qubit superconducting quantum computer, expected to begin operation in 2026, with plans for a more advanced system by 2030. The collaboration will initially focus on financial services applications such as fraud detection, risk simulations, and algorithmic trading, with plans to expand into other sectors.

Stafford Bond, Head of Growth Investments at Fujitsu UK, remarked, “Partnering with SC Ventures on Project Quanta represents a bold step towards democratising access to quantum capabilities and realising true quantum advantage.”

The partnership between SC Ventures and Fujitsu signifies a significant step in the practical application of quantum technologies, aiming to unlock transformative value for businesses across various industries.

Yuno, a global payment orchestration platform, has announced its expansion into the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region with the establishment of a regional headquarters in Singapore and new operations in China. This strategic move aims to simplify cross-border commerce for global merchants and enhance Yuno’s payment capabilities across the region.

The expansion into China allows Yuno to offer Chinese merchants a single API integration connecting over 1,000 payment methods and 450 providers across 195 countries. This integration includes compliance with local data privacy laws, smart routing to improve approval rates, and real-time payment insights. “China is one of the world’s most advanced digital economies, and its merchants are increasingly going global,” said SheueChee Beh, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Yuno in APAC.

In Singapore, Yuno’s regional headquarters will anchor its presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing digital commerce regions. Singapore’s status as a leading fintech hub, supported by strong regulatory frameworks and innovation programmes, provides Yuno with access to strategic partners and payment providers.

Additionally, Yuno has introduced NOVA, an AI-powered solution designed to recover failed payments and reduce checkout friction. NOVA engages customers through phone and WhatsApp, recovering up to 75% of failed payments during early testing. Juan Pablo Ortega, Co-founder and CEO of Yuno, stated, “Our goal is to become the go-to partner for businesses navigating global payments.”

Yuno’s expansion into APAC follows its earlier entries into the Middle East and UK, further solidifying its global footprint. Trusted by brands like McDonald’s and Uber, Yuno continues to offer localised solutions and expertise in high-growth regions.

Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia (SME Bank), a subsidiary of Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad, has successfully concluded its annual business-matching event, SME Bank XCESS 2025. The event connected 500 Malaysian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with ASEAN buyers, unlocking an estimated RM45m in potential sales.

Themed ‘Entrepreneur Gateway to the ASEAN Market’, XCESS 2025 aligns with Malaysia’s role as ASEAN Chair this year. The event aims to integrate Malaysian SMEs into the ASEAN economy, enhancing export opportunities and regional competitiveness. Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development, Ewon Benedick, highlighted the importance of SMEs, noting their projected contribution of 41% to Malaysia’s GDP and 15% to exports by 2025.

Samad Majid Zain, acting President and CEO of SME Bank, stated, “XCESS 2025 once again demonstrates that Malaysian SMEs are ready to compete regionally.” The event facilitated over 180 business meetings, generating significant sales potential. It also offered access to financing, capacity-building, and networking sessions to support sustainable SME growth.

In collaboration with MATRADE and supported by MECD, the event brought together key industry players, including government-linked companies and multinationals. A notable outcome was the trilateral partnership between SME Bank, EXIM Bank, and BPMB, which facilitated an RM11.1 million export transaction for Amat Sinar Sdn. Bhd. to China and the US.

Since its inception in 2016, XCESS has facilitated over 1,800 business sessions, reinforcing SME Bank’s role in promoting Malaysian SMEs in ASEAN and global markets.