Regional News

Sunrate, a global payment and treasury management platform, has announced the integration of its commercial cards with Google Pay, offering businesses worldwide a faster, more secure, and convenient payment method directly from Android devices. This integration allows Sunrate cardholders to make contactless payments in-store, in-app, and online, benefiting from Google Pay’s robust security and privacy features.

The integration aims to empower businesses with smarter, more flexible payment solutions. Shawn Qin, Head of Card Business at Sunrate, stated, “By integrating with Google Pay, we’re providing our users with added speed, convenience, and security—whether they’re paying on the go, travelling for business, or managing expenses worldwide.”

Sunrate’s commercial card is part of its comprehensive suite of global payment and treasury solutions, enabling businesses to send payments to over 190 countries and regions and transact in more than 130 currencies. This integration underscores Sunrate’s commitment to innovation in digital payments and delivering user-centric experiences to businesses in the global economy.

Founded in 2016, Sunrate has been recognised as a leading solution provider, helping companies operate and scale globally. With headquarters in Singapore and offices in Hong Kong, Jakarta, London, and Shanghai, Sunrate partners with top financial institutions, including Citibank and J.P. Morgan, and is a principal member of Mastercard, Visa, and UPI.
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A recent survey by Kintone Southeast Asia has revealed a significant trend in Malaysia, where nearly one in three companies are embracing no-code tools to empower employees in creating digital workflows. This shift is enabling frontline workers to become digital problem-solvers, thereby transforming the digital landscape across the nation.

Conducted with almost 1,000 business and IT decision-makers, the 2025 IT Decision-Making Survey highlights that over half of Malaysian companies are actively pursuing digital transformation. However, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face challenges due to knowledge gaps and limited resources. The survey also identifies project management, file storage, and communication as persistent pain points for businesses.

Security remains a top concern, with 40.4% of decision-makers prioritising reliable security in IT systems. Additionally, 37.4% of respondents expressed worries about data leakage during system rollouts, whilst 35.4% cited a lack of in-house expertise as a major barrier.

Tsubasa Nakazawa, Managing Director of Kintone Southeast Asia, stated, “Digital transformation isn’t just about adopting new tools – it’s about making them usable for the people who drive the business every day. By putting no-code tools directly into the hands of employees, this opens up opportunities for SMEs, including frontline employees to build their own solutions, close the digital skills gap, and build momentum from within.”

The survey underscores the potential for no-code tools to bridge the digital divide in Malaysia, offering a pathway for SMEs to enhance productivity and innovation. As more companies adopt these tools, the role of citizen developers is expected to grow, further shaping Malaysia’s digital economy.

CapitaLand India Trust (CLINT) has announced the divestment of CyberVale in Chennai and CyberPearl in Hyderabad, marking its first asset sale since its 2007 listing. The transaction, valued at INR11,031m (approximately S$161.7m), was finalised on 25 September 2025. This strategic move aims to optimise CLINT’s portfolio and enhance financial flexibility, with the assets sold at a 3% premium to their valuations as of 31 December 2024.

CyberVale, located in Mahindra World City, comprises a 0.8 million sq ft IT Special Economic Zone and a 0.2 million sq ft Free Trade Warehousing Zone. CyberPearl, situated in HITEC City, is a 0.4 million sq ft IT Park. The net proceeds from the divestment are expected to be INR10,828m (approximately S$158.8m).

Gauri Shankar Nagabhushanam, CEO of CapitaLand India Trust Management Pte. Ltd., stated, “The successful divestment of CyberVale and CyberPearl marks the commencement of our capital recycling strategy to optimise CLINT’s portfolio and enhance our financial agility.”

Following the divestment, CLINT’s total completed floor area will be 21.2 million sq ft. In Chennai, the portfolio will include International Tech Park Chennai, three industrial facilities, and a data centre under development. In Hyderabad, it will comprise International Tech Park Hyderabad, aVance Hyderabad, and a data centre under development.

This divestment is part of CLINT’s broader strategy to recycle capital into higher-yielding projects and enhance distributions to unitholders, whilst continuing to seek attractive investments for sustainable returns.

PROPEL with Singlife, a shared services hub for financial advisory firms, has been honoured with the Technology Integration Excellence Award and the Operational Excellence Pioneer Award at the IIC Asia Awards 2025. These accolades highlight PROPEL’s significant contributions to innovation, operational efficiency, and digital transformation within the insurance industry across Asia.

Since its launch in January 2025, PROPEL has positioned itself as a pioneering one-stop solution for both new and established financial advisory firms. By integrating technology into middle-to-back-office workflows, PROPEL is transforming how these firms operate, enhancing efficiency, and elevating client service. Steven Ong, CEO of PROPEL, remarked, “Winning these two industry awards is a validation of our mission to empower FA firms with the tools and support they need to better serve their customers and scale their businesses.”

The Technology Integration Excellence Award acknowledges PROPEL’s success in embedding advanced digital tools into insurance workflows. Meanwhile, the Operational Excellence Pioneer Award celebrates the firm’s achievements in boosting operational efficiency through its multi-tenanted platform and modular support packages. PROPEL’s team of nearly 100 professionals supports client firms in scaling efficiently and cost-effectively.

The awards were presented during the IIC Asia 2025 conference at the Singapore Suntec Exhibition & Convention Centre, an event that gathered over 1,500 senior insurance executives to discuss the future of Asia’s insurance industry. PROPEL continues to be a trusted partner for financial advisory firms, helping them navigate a competitive market with innovative solutions.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has unveiled new initiatives to promote responsible online financial content sharing and advertising. Announced on 25 September 2025, these initiatives include the publication of Guidelines on Standards of Conduct for Digital Advertising Activities, which set expectations for financial institutions to manage risks associated with digital advertising. Additionally, MAS has issued a guide for online content creators to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

The guidelines, effective from 25 March 2026, were developed following a public consultation and apply to all financial institutions and their appointed third parties, including online content creators. They focus on managing digital media challenges, ensuring clear disclosures, and establishing policies to monitor advertising activities.

In collaboration with the Advertising Standards Authority of Singapore (ASAS), MAS has also developed a guide titled “7 must-knows when sharing financial information online.” This guide provides content creators with key considerations, such as when a licence from MAS may be necessary and the importance of disclosing any compensation received.

Furthermore, MAS will issue advisory letters to five content creators who may have provided financial advice without a licence, urging them to align their practices with regulatory standards. Those who continue to offer unlicensed financial advice will face enforcement action.

Lim Tuang Lee, Assistant Managing Director (Capital Markets) at MAS, emphasised the importance of responsible information sharing in the digital age, stating, “Financial institutions and content creators must ensure that the sharing of financial information and advertising of products and services are performed responsibly.”

These initiatives underscore MAS’s commitment to safeguarding consumer interests and ensuring the integrity of financial information shared online.

Strategic Marine has commenced construction on three 43-metre passenger fast ferries for Bintan Resort Ferries at its Singapore shipyard. This marks the first collaboration between the two companies, aiming to replace and expand Bintan’s current fleet, which operates between Singapore and Bintan Island.

The new ferries, designed to accommodate up to 293 passengers, including 57 in the exclusive Emerald Class, will comply with the International Maritime Organisation’s High-Speed Craft Code. They promise enhanced comfort and improved design, addressing the growing passenger demand whilst significantly enhancing the travel experience. A key feature of these vessels is their environmental efficiency, with a projected 33% reduction in emissions per passenger mile, achieved through advanced design and propulsion technology.

The keel-laying ceremony, attended by executives from both companies, symbolised the start of construction and a significant step in Bintan Resort Ferries’ fleet renewal. Strategic Marine’s CEO, Chan Eng Yew, expressed gratitude for the trust placed in their capabilities, stating, “We are honoured by the trust Bintan Resort Ferries has shown in our capabilities and thankful for the opportunity to support our Client’s fleet renewal and expansion plans.”

Sebastian Koh, General Manager of Bintan Resort Ferries, highlighted the milestone’s importance, saying, “Today is a significant milestone in BRF’s history. The keel laying, though symbolic, marks the physical commencement of construction for our new ferries.”

These new ferries will play a crucial role in enhancing the connectivity and travel experience for passengers visiting Bintan’s resorts and attractions.

e-pay by NTT DATA has announced the relocation of its Sarawak operations to a new office in Kuching, Malaysia, as of 25 September 2025. This strategic move aims to bolster the company’s ability to serve retail partners and customers across East Malaysia more effectively.

As the largest prepaid top-up and bill collection network in Malaysia, e-pay continues to expand its presence nationwide. The new office is set to provide merchants in Sarawak and beyond with secure, convenient, and reliable electronic payment services. This development is part of e-pay’s ongoing efforts to support businesses of all sizes in meeting the increasing demand for digital transactions and in-store services.

e-pay by NTT DATA empowers thousands of merchants across Malaysia with a comprehensive electronic payment ecosystem. The services offered include mobile reloads, bill payments, game credits, loan repayments, e-wallet top-ups, and travel and entertainment reloads. The company handles over 15 million transactions each month, establishing itself as a trusted provider of seamless in-store digital services.

As a subsidiary of NTT DATA Payment Services, e-pay operates not only in Malaysia but also in Thailand and the Philippines, further solidifying its position as a leading payment solutions provider in the region. The new office in Kuching underscores e-pay’s commitment to enhancing its service delivery and supporting the digital payment needs of its clients.

Singapore’s core inflation rate fell to 0.3% year-on-year in August, down from 0.5% in July, according to a report by Nomura Global Markets Research. This decline, driven by reduced service costs such as airfares and holiday expenses, was lower than both the consensus forecast of 0.5% and Nomura’s own prediction of 0.4%. As a result, Nomura has adjusted its 2025 core inflation forecast to 0.5%, the lower end of the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) range of 0.5-1.5%.

The report highlights that headline inflation also decreased to 0.5% from 0.6% in July, with accommodation inflation easing slightly and private transport inflation rising due to increased car prices. Despite these changes, sequential headline inflation remained unchanged at 0.0% month-on-month.

Nomura’s analysis indicates that the share of disinflation within the core basket increased to 40.3% in August from 38.7% in July. This trend is attributed to a drop in holiday expense inflation and a slight rise in retail and other goods inflation. The firm expects core inflation to reach a low of 0.1% in September before gradually increasing.

Looking ahead, Nomura anticipates that the MAS will narrow its core inflation forecast range in its upcoming Monetary Policy Statement, expected by 14 October. Despite the subdued inflation figures, Nomura’s FX strategy team predicts that the MAS will maintain its current foreign exchange policy, citing a resilient growth outlook and stable labour market conditions.

Xiaomi has unveiled its latest flagship smartphones, the Xiaomi 15T Series, alongside a new range of AIoT products in Singapore. Launched on 24 September, the Xiaomi 15T and 15T Pro smartphones feature advanced triple camera systems co-engineered with Leica, promising enhanced photography capabilities. Pre-orders for these devices are open until 10 October 2025.

The new AIoT line-up includes 14 products aimed at transforming daily life through smart technology. Highlights include the Xiaomi Watch S4 41mm, which combines elegant design with robust health tracking features, and the Xiaomi Smart Band 10 Glimmer Edition, celebrating a decade of wearable innovation with a stylish, practical design.

In the realm of home cleaning, the Xiaomi Robot Vacuum 5 and 5 Pro offer powerful suction and advanced AI features for efficient cleaning. The Xiaomi Vacuum Cleaner P30 and Truclean W30 Pro Wet Dry Vacuum further enhance home maintenance with lightweight designs and deep-cleaning capabilities.

Xiaomi’s latest offerings also extend to entertainment and personal health, with products like the Xiaomi TV S Pro Mini LED Series 2026 and the Mijia Smart Air Purifier 6. These devices are designed to integrate seamlessly into modern lifestyles, providing enhanced connectivity and convenience.

This expansion of Xiaomi’s AIoT portfolio underscores the company’s commitment to refining human-device interaction and creating more efficient smart home systems. As these products become available, they promise to offer consumers in Singapore a more connected and streamlined living experience.

Centurion Accommodation REIT (CAREIT) has successfully completed its Initial Public Offering (IPO), with the offering being oversubscribed by 16.6 times. The IPO, which raised approximately $563.5m (S$771.12m), marks Singapore’s first pure-play purpose-built living accommodation real estate investment trust. The offering included an international placement and a public offer in Singapore, both of which saw robust demand from investors.

The public offer in Singapore was particularly notable, being oversubscribed by 30.9 times, the strongest response in recent years. The international placement tranche was also well-received, being 16 times oversubscribed, attracting interest from institutional investors, real estate specialist funds, and high net-worth individuals. The offering price was set at $0.64 (S$0.88) per unit.

Tony Bin, CEO of Centurion Asset Management, expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support, stating, “The all-round support from Cornerstone, institutional, and retail investors is a powerful endorsement of our vision to provide investors access to a resilient, high-quality portfolio consistently generating stable cash flows.”

The REIT has secured commitments from 16 cornerstone investors, including prominent names such as FIL Investment Management and abrdn Asia Limited, collectively subscribing for 35.7% of the total units.

Trading of CAREIT units on the Singapore Exchange is set to commence on 25 September 2025. The projected distribution yield for the REIT is 7.47% for 2026 and 8.11% for 2027, promising stable returns for investors.