Industry News

Global demand for semiconductors, driven by investments in artificial intelligence (AI), is bolstering Singapore’s industrial property market, according to JLL’s commentary on the JTC Quarterly Market Report for Q3 2026. Dr Chua Yang Liang, Head of Research and Consultancy for Southeast Asia at JLL, noted that Singapore and Malaysia are key players in this growth, maintaining a stable rental growth trend similar to the previous quarter.

The JTC report highlighted a 0.5% quarter-on-quarter increase in the All Industrial Rental Index and a 1.0% rise in the All Industrial Price Index. However, geopolitical tensions are affecting occupier sentiment, leading to cost-cutting and space optimisation, which have slightly reduced occupancy levels by 0.2 percentage points in both multi-user and single-user factory segments.

Singapore’s Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) rose to 51.7 in September, marking 14 consecutive months of expansion, whilst the electronics PMI reached 52.9, its highest since January 2018. This aligns with strong global AI-related demand, supporting industrial space demand in Singapore.

The Economic Development Board’s Business Expectations Survey for Q3 2026 showed a net weighted balance of +12% for improved manufacturing conditions, led by the precision engineering cluster at +55%. The electronics cluster also showed positive expectations, benefiting from AI-related applications.

Despite potential risks from geopolitical tensions and investor scrutiny over AI infrastructure spending, JLL anticipates continued demand for high-specification premises. The All Industrial Rental Index is expected to grow by 2-3% for the full year 2026, with the All Industrial Price Index projected to increase by 3-4%, driven by capital seeking safe havens like Singapore.

Peikko, in collaboration with the Embassy of Finland in Singapore, convened industry leaders on 21 October to explore the intersection of sustainability and productivity in construction. The event, titled “2030 Doing More with Less: Connecting Sustainability with Productivity,” was held at the residence of Juha Markkanen, the Finnish Ambassador to Singapore. It gathered representatives from Singapore’s built environment sector, government, and engineering communities.

The programme featured addresses from notable figures, including Juha Markkanen and Justin Lim, Deputy Director of the Built Environment Tech Alliance. Lim discussed Singapore’s journey towards smarter, greener building practices. Other speakers included Ted Howland from CapitaLand Investment, Ar Razvan I Ghilic-Micu from DP Architects, and Alessandro Marzucchini from Ramboll, who shared insights on sustainable construction practices.

A panel discussion, moderated by Joona Selin, Trade and Innovation Counsellor at the Finnish Embassy, delved into how sustainability goals can enhance construction productivity. Peikko Group CEO Topi Paananen emphasised the need for the industry to rethink design, manufacturing, and assembly processes to achieve more with fewer resources. “By combining efficient structural solutions with industrialised construction, we can improve productivity whilst supporting the transition towards a lower-carbon built environment,” Paananen stated.

The event also highlighted Modern Methods of Construction and Peikko’s prefabricated structure solutions. It concluded with networking at CapitaSpring, fostering further dialogue among international and local industry leaders. Peikko Group, a global leader in slim floor structures and connection technology, continues to drive innovation in sustainable construction practices.

Ropedia, a Singapore-based Physical AI startup, has launched Ropedia Super Week, a significant event showcasing six innovative research projects aimed at advancing robot learning and control. These projects are crucial as the field of Physical AI moves towards real-world applications, where the need for diverse and high-quality training data is increasingly critical.

The projects presented during Ropedia Super Week explore various approaches to enhance robots’ understanding and interaction with the physical world. Key areas of focus include structuring egocentric human experience data, improving spatial reasoning, predicting physical outcomes, enabling dexterous robot manipulation, and developing reusable robot-control programmes through coding agents.

Ropedia’s efforts align with broader industry initiatives, such as Google DeepMind’s Open X-Embodiment research, which demonstrated the benefits of pooling data across multiple robot types. By contributing to this collective endeavour, Ropedia aims to address the bottleneck of data availability in Physical AI, thereby facilitating the development of more capable systems.

The research projects not only highlight the diverse directions in which Physical AI is evolving but also underscore the importance of data infrastructure in this field. As these advancements continue, they promise to significantly impact the global Physical AI landscape, paving the way for more sophisticated and adaptable robotic systems.

Ropedia’s commitment to innovation through these projects positions it as a key player in the ongoing evolution of AI technologies, with potential implications for various industries reliant on robotics and AI solutions.

Frasers Centrepoint Trust (FCT) and the National Library & Archives Board (NLB) have announced a partnership to create The HomePage @ Causeway Point, a pioneering social and reading destination in Singapore. Set to open in 2028, this innovative space will be located at FCT’s flagship mall in northern Singapore, offering a blend of reading, community, and social experiences.

The collaboration, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), will see FCT and NLB jointly plan, design, and implement the space. The HomePage will span over 32,000 square feet across the sixth and seventh floors of the mall, featuring a triple-volume space inspired by the concept of home. It aims to foster a love for reading and community engagement, aligning with NLB’s ReadSG initiative.

The HomePage will house one of Singapore’s largest collections of pre-loved books, available in English and Mother Tongue languages, and will showcase Singapore Literature (Sing Lit) and local authors. This initiative not only promotes sustainability but also encourages a lifelong reading habit. Visitors can explore and take home books without the need for borrowing, enhancing accessibility and community sharing.

Richard Ng, CEO of the Manager of Frasers Centrepoint Trust, highlighted the project’s significance: “We believe our malls can serve as ‘second places’, where communities gather, connect, and discover.” Melissa Tam, CEO of NLB, added, “By working with Frasers, we can bring reading closer to Singaporeans, creating more opportunities for them to discover books.”

The HomePage @ Causeway Point is part of a broader Asset Enhancement Initiative (AEI) at Causeway Point, which aims to transform the mall into a leading regional hub. This development is expected to support the growing northern region of Singapore, which is projected to see significant residential and economic growth.

Bank of Singapore has launched a dedicated sustainability advisory team within its Chief Investment Office, announced at its inaugural Sustainability Summit on 22 October 2026. The team, led by Christine Cheong, aims to enhance the bank’s advisory capabilities by supporting clients across investments, businesses, and multi-generational stewardship.

The Sustainability Partners team collaborates with relationship managers and experts from OCBC Group to provide comprehensive guidance. This initiative aligns with the bank’s focus on ultra-high-net-worth clients, who are increasingly seeking advice on sustainability-related investments and business transitions. The bank has also strengthened its Family Office and Wealth Advisory to support this client segment.

The summit, themed “Leading through investments, impact and resilience,” gathered around 150 clients and partners. Key speakers included Sunway Group founder Tan Sri Sir Dr Jeffrey Cheah and Pyxis founder Tommy Phun. Discussions centred on how sustainability is influencing investment decisions and long-term wealth planning.

Jean Chia, Global Chief Investment Officer at Bank of Singapore, highlighted the interconnected nature of clients’ wealth and business interests, stating that the new team enhances the bank’s ability to provide sustainability expertise. Christine Cheong emphasised the evolving role of sustainability from an investment consideration to a broader stewardship issue for ultra-high-net-worth clients.

The launch of the Sustainability Partners team marks a significant step in Bank of Singapore’s efforts to support clients in navigating the transition to a sustainable future.

A unique opportunity has emerged for property buyers in Singapore with the launch of a freehold detached property at 435 Bukit Timah Road, located within the prestigious White House Park Good Class Bungalow (GCB) Area. Marketed by Colliers, the property is available for sale by private treaty, offering the chance to create a bespoke residence in one of the city-state’s most exclusive enclaves.

The property spans approximately 6,780 square feet and is currently occupied by a two-storey detached house. Zoned as “Residential” under the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s Master Plan 2025, it offers flexibility for enhancement or redevelopment into a modern home. AU79 Architect has prepared design schematics for a potential five-level residence, subject to approval, which will be included in the sale.

White House Park is one of Singapore’s 39 gazetted GCB Areas, known for its limited supply and high demand among affluent homeowners. Since 2020, only six transactions have been recorded in this area, underscoring its exclusivity. Terry Wong, Head of Capital Markets and Investment Services at Colliers Singapore, noted, “Opportunities to customise a residence within a coveted enclave such as White House Park remain highly compelling to discerning buyers.”

The property boasts excellent connectivity, with proximity to Stevens MRT Station and major expressways, as well as access to top educational institutions like Singapore Chinese Girls’ Primary School. The area is also near lifestyle destinations such as the Singapore Botanic Gardens and Orchard Road, enhancing its appeal as a prime residential location.

OUE Real Estate Investment Trust (OUE REIT) has announced a 4.6% year-on-year increase in net property income (NPI) to S$59.6m for the third quarter of 2026, driven by strong performance in its hospitality segment. Revenue also rose by 3.1% to S$72.6m during the same period, highlighting the resilience of its diversified portfolio despite lower contributions from the Singapore commercial segment.

The hospitality segment saw a 12.6% increase in revenue, with a rise in revenue per available room (RevPAR) by 8.2%, reflecting robust leisure demand and corporate account growth. Meanwhile, finance costs decreased by 12.4% year-on-year, benefiting from proactive capital management initiatives.

OUE REIT’s CEO, Han Khim Siew, noted the company’s strategic focus on reshaping its portfolio for stronger income quality and sustainable long-term value creation. The divestment of Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, expected to complete on 30 October 2026, will unlock approximately S$498.5m of capital, with a S$20m special distribution anticipated from FY 2027.

In the commercial segment, revenue and NPI declined by 2.8% and 1.5% respectively, due to tenant transitions at OUE Downtown Office. However, positive rental reversion of 4.6% for office lease renewals and stable occupancy rates indicate healthy leasing fundamentals.

Looking ahead, OUE REIT aims to leverage its green-certified office portfolio to capture demand for sustainable office spaces, whilst maintaining a focus on enhancing asset vibrancy in the retail sector. The company remains well-positioned to navigate market dynamics and pursue growth opportunities.

A recent survey by Chocolate Finance, conducted by Milieu, reveals that 75% of Singaporeans with spare cash believe it is not being maximised effectively. The study, which surveyed 1,000 residents, highlights a significant gap in financial awareness, with only 10% of respondents confident about the interest rates on their bank accounts.

The research indicates that whilst Singaporeans are keen on maximising value from their expenditures, such as cashback and rewards, they pay less attention to the returns on their spare cash. Nearly half of the respondents checked their cashback or rewards in the past six months, compared to just 37% who reviewed their spare cash earnings.

Walter de Oude, CEO of Chocolate Finance, noted, “We’ve always known that Singaporeans want more from their spare cash. What this research proves is just how many people don’t actually know what their money is earning.”

The survey also found that 72% of respondents have no clear plan for using their spare cash, with many describing it as money for “one day eventually.” This lack of purpose can lead to funds being overlooked and not growing as intended.

To address this, Chocolate Finance is launching a new feature called Jars in November 2026. This tool allows users to allocate their spare cash into specific categories, such as an emergency fund or holiday savings, providing a clearer purpose and timeframe for their money.

The findings underscore the importance of financial clarity and purpose. As de Oude emphasised, “When people give their spare cash a purpose, they’re more likely to leave it alone and let it grow.”

OCBC has announced the addition of Malaysian ringgit (MYR) to its multi-currency savings accounts, marking a first for non-Malaysian banks. From 23 October 2026, customers can convert Singapore dollars into MYR at competitive rates, holding up to MYR50,000 in their OCBC Global Savings Accounts. This move allows customers to earn interest on MYR balances, a feature not available on digital multi-currency wallets.

The inclusion of MYR strengthens OCBC’s multi-currency offering, which now supports 11 currencies. Customers can convert currencies ahead of travel or spending needs and use their OCBC debit card in Malaysia without incurring foreign exchange fees. This development comes as Singapore residents increasingly spend in Malaysia, with transactions growing at a compound annual rate of 25% since 2022.

The upcoming Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link is expected to further boost cross-border travel. Tan Siew Lee, Head of Group Wealth Management at OCBC, noted, “Singaporeans are savvy and rate conscious. The launch of ringgit on OCBC’s Global Savings Account will be particularly powerful for such consumers.”

OCBC’s initiative reflects a growing trend of consumers locking in favourable exchange rates. Following a strengthening of the Singapore dollar in July 2026, Global Savings Account openings increased by over 25% between July and September. This trend was also seen in January 2026 with the Japanese yen.

OCBC’s move provides greater financial flexibility for Singaporeans frequently travelling to Malaysia, allowing them to manage their currency needs more effectively.

Toku Ltd, a Singapore-based AI-powered customer experience platform, has launched Makimoto Flows, a visual tool that enables developers to create and test speech AI pipelines. This new development allows for the integration of transcription, summarisation, and call tagging into customisable workflows, all processed within Singapore.

Makimoto Flows builds on Toku’s open-source Makimoto initiative, enhancing its capabilities beyond simple transcription. Developers can visually connect various AI components, test each step on recorded calls, and adjust the workflow as needed. This ensures that all audio data, transcripts, and analyses remain within Singapore, offering greater data control.

The tool includes a Chained Analysis starter template, allowing developers to quickly assemble a pipeline and export it as Python code for integration into their applications. This feature supports tasks such as call recaps and triage. Thomas Laboulle, Toku’s Founder and CEO, emphasised the importance of control in AI development, stating, “Models will keep changing. The ability to compose them, and to know where they run, is what lasts.”

Makimoto Flows is now available at makimoto.ai, where developers can create a free account and utilise 1,000 complimentary minutes to test their AI pipelines. This initiative complements Toku’s existing customer experience platform and supports its long-term AI innovation strategy. Future updates to Makimoto Flows are expected to include audio preparation blocks, starting with noise filtering, to further enhance the processing of recordings before transcription.