Industry News

BW Digital and the National University of Singapore (NUS) have announced a strategic partnership to develop quantum-ready digital infrastructure in Southeast Asia. This collaboration, revealed at the DCD>Connect | APAC 2026 conference, focuses on addressing the unique challenges of building such infrastructure in tropical environments like Singapore and Batam.

The initiative will concentrate on creating frameworks for hybrid AI-quantum workloads, including advanced cooling, power systems, and electromagnetic stability. Over the next 18 months, the partnership aims to define the “minimum viable infrastructure envelope” necessary for integrating quantum-classical computing within modern data centres. This involves research into structural design, thermal and cryogenic systems, and environmental stability.

Florent Blot, Chief Business Officer at BW Digital, highlighted the importance of preparing infrastructure for future quantum computing compatibility. “Our partnership with NUS CDE allows us to establish the right technical foundations early,” he stated. Professor Lee Poh Seng from NUS emphasised the collaboration’s role in bridging academic research with real-world infrastructure development, aiming to define practical engineering requirements for quantum-ready facilities.

The collaboration aligns with Singapore’s ambition to strengthen its position as a leading regional data centre hub and supports BW Digital’s investments in future-ready digital infrastructure. It is also expected to contribute to local workforce capability building and regional knowledge development, setting future infrastructure standards for Southeast Asia.

Etiqa Insurance Singapore has unveiled its “When Life Spins, Stay Ready” campaign, an interactive public initiative aimed at promoting everyday readiness among Singaporeans. Launching in June 2026, the campaign will be held at high-traffic locations, inviting participants to reflect on their preparedness in three key areas: mind, body, and money.

The campaign seeks to challenge the perception that readiness is only necessary during crises. Instead, it emphasises the importance of everyday choices in building resilience. Participants can engage with the campaign by registering onsite, answering quiz questions, and potentially winning prizes through a spin-and-win game. Over 42 days, up to 4,000 prizes will be available, contingent on meeting specific criteria.

The quiz questions are designed to assess practical behaviours. The mind pillar focuses on stress management and rest, the body pillar on physical habits like movement and hydration, and the money pillar on budgeting and saving practices. Claudia Soh, Acting CEO of Etiqa Insurance Singapore, stated, “Readiness is only about preparing for the unexpected, but is also about the everyday habits and decisions that help people feel more confident about what lies ahead.”

This initiative is part of Etiqa’s broader “Live Ready With You” platform, which aims to support customers in navigating life with confidence. It also precedes the Etiqa Life Preparedness Survey, set for release in the latter half of 2026, which will explore Singaporeans’ approaches to financial security, physical wellbeing, and mental resilience.

For more information on the campaign, visit Etiqa’s website or follow their social media channels.

Bizcap Singapore has unveiled the Bizcap Frequent Funders (BFF) Programme, a new loyalty initiative aimed at recognising high-performing brokers and referral partners. This programme offers exclusive incentives and luxury experiences as partners achieve specific funding milestones. The launch coincides with Bizcap’s successful first year in Singapore, where the non-bank lender has increased its lending limit to $1m to support larger business funding needs.

The BFF Programme is structured to reward partners who consistently assist Singapore’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in accessing necessary capital. It features a tiered rewards system, where accredited partners are automatically enrolled without the need for registration. The reward tiers include:

– Bronze status: Fund $300,000 or more within a quarter to receive a reward valued at $888.
– Silver status: Fund $600,000 or more within a quarter to receive a reward valued at $1,888.
– Gold status: Fund $1 million or more within a quarter to receive a reward valued at $3,888.

Joseph Lim, Bizcap’s Managing Partner for Asia, emphasised the programme’s role in reinforcing the company’s commitment to its third-party distribution network. “The BFF programme reflects our commitment to rewarding the partners who consistently deliver outstanding outcomes for Singapore SMEs,” he stated. Gareth Tan, General Manager at Bizcap Singapore, added that the programme aims to create a more rewarding partnership experience.

The BFF Programme marks another milestone in Bizcap’s growth in Singapore, building on its strong first year and ongoing investment in supporting both partners and SMEs with accessible funding solutions. Existing partners can learn more about the programme through their Bizcap relationship manager, whilst new brokers are encouraged to partner with Bizcap.

DBS has announced the launch of tokenised physical gold for its customers in Singapore, marking a first in the market. The new offering will be available to retail customers via DBS digibank in the latter half of 2026. This initiative allows customers to digitally access, hold, and trade tokenised physical gold through a single platform. DBS plans to list the token on its Digital Exchange, catering to accredited investors and institutional partners.

The introduction of tokenised gold reflects a broader trend of asset tokenisation, which is transforming how investors engage with traditional asset classes. By leveraging blockchain technology, DBS enables fractional ownership of physical gold, making it more accessible and cost-effective for a wider range of investors. Each token represents one gram of physical gold, securely stored in a DBS vault in Singapore.

The service offers several benefits, including 24/7 trading convenience, near-instant transactions through atomic settlement, and the flexibility to redeem tokens for physical gold. This move is part of DBS’s strategy to expand its gold investment solutions, which already include funds and physical bullion.

James Tan, Group Head of Investment Product and Advisory at DBS, highlighted the enduring value of gold as a safe haven and portfolio diversifier. “Whilst our retail investors have been able to buy gold funds, access to physical gold has been largely available to only institutional and accredited investors,” he said.

This development comes as gold prices hit an all-time high of US$5,600 per ounce earlier this year, with continued demand driven by its role as a hedge against inflation and market volatility. The tokenisation of gold is the latest step in DBS’s efforts to harness digital asset technology, following its expansion of blockchain capabilities in 2025.

Singapore has been recognised as the leading market for Business Environment in the Savills 2026 Nearshoring Index, highlighting its strengths in logistics infrastructure, trade facilitation, and ease of doing business. The index evaluates 54 countries based on factors crucial for companies seeking to diversify supply chains or reduce reliance on foreign imports. Singapore ranks 11th overall and is the highest-ranked Southeast Asian nation.

The country’s top Business Environment score is attributed to its high performance in the Logistics Performance Index, absence of trade barriers, and global competitiveness. Alan Cheong, Executive Director of Research & Consultancy at Savills Singapore, noted, “The findings reinforce Singapore’s position as a regional trade and logistics hub, supported by its connectivity, efficient infrastructure, and ease of doing business.”

Globally, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, Austria, and the UK are the top locations for industrial occupiers aiming to nearshore production amidst economic and geopolitical uncertainties. These countries excel due to their balance of resilience, cost competitiveness, business environment, and ESG (environmental, social, and governance) considerations.

In the Asia Pacific region, Japan and Taiwan are notable performers, whilst China and Vietnam benefit from cost competitiveness and manufacturing scale. In the Americas, Canada leads the index, partly due to its access to the US market. In Europe, Austria ranks highest, followed by Portugal and the UK, due to their strong access to the EU market.

Connor Chilton, Associate at Savills World Research, commented on the complexity of location decisions for global manufacturing firms, emphasising the need to balance resilience, energy security, and policy environments.

OCBC has announced a groundbreaking service allowing Singaporeans and Singapore permanent residents to open business accounts with OCBC Malaysia using Singpass, the national digital identity. This new digital process reduces the account opening time from three weeks to just five working days, marking the first instance of Singpass being utilised beyond Singapore’s borders.

The initiative comes as more Singaporeans and Singapore PRs are establishing or expanding businesses in Malaysia, particularly in sectors like food and beverage and manufacturing. From 2023 to 2025, OCBC Malaysia experienced over 10% annual growth in SMEs with Singaporean or Singapore PR owners. This trend is expected to continue with the development of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone.

Previously, opening a business account in Malaysia required manual documentation or an in-person visit, taking up to three weeks. Now, the process is fully digital, with OCBC conducting necessary Know Your Customer checks after the application is submitted. For businesses with Malaysian directors, identity verification will be done using MYKAD, Malaysia’s official identification.

Carmen Chan, Deputy Head of Global Transaction Banking at OCBC, stated, “Leveraging Singpass, which the Singaporean directors are already familiar with, makes sense. It streamlines the process greatly and frees our customers to focus on what matters most – leading their teams and driving business growth.”

This service is expected to enhance cross-border business activities and provide a seamless banking experience for customers with accounts in both Singapore and Malaysia, offering single sign-on access to view accounts on a unified dashboard.

Hydrantula, a Singapore-based company, is set to introduce a groundbreaking modular approach to coastal protection during the Singapore International Water Week 2026. This innovative method, which assembles most of the structure on land before completing it at sea, promises to significantly reduce both construction time and costs.

The new system utilises lightweight permanent formwork made from standard HDPE pipes, connected by moulded plastic nodes. Approximately 90% of the construction occurs onshore, after which the frame is positioned at sea and filled with reinforced concrete. This approach not only accelerates the building process but also cuts costs to about a third of traditional methods. Additionally, the lifecycle carbon footprint is estimated at 5 tonnes of CO2 per metre over 60 years, compared to 25 tonnes for conventional structures.

Hydrantula’s design also aims to support marine life. The open frame allows wave energy to pass through and encourages the colonisation of marine organisms, effectively turning the structure into an artificial reef. This aligns with Singapore’s research into hybrid coastal solutions that integrate natural and man-made elements.

Despite its potential, the technology is still in early commercial stages, with ongoing pilot discussions in Southeast Asia and California. Hydrantula is also collaborating with Singaporean academic partners to further test its structural and ecological performance. The company will showcase its system at SIWW 2026, held from 15 to 18 June at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre.

ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC), headquartered in Singapore, has announced significant expansion milestones at its Jakarta data centre campus, including the launch of STT Jakarta 2 and the development of STT Jakarta 5 and 6. This expansion aims to deliver over 360MW of AI-ready IT capacity to support Indonesia’s burgeoning digital economy, projected to reach $130b by 2026. The initiative is driven by the increasing demand for cloud, AI, and digital infrastructure in the region.

The expansion of the Jakarta campus is designed to support high-density, AI-ready workloads and includes next-generation platforms with liquid cooling readiness. This development reflects STT GDC’s commitment to investing in scalable, high-performance digital infrastructure to meet Indonesia’s growing needs.

In parallel, STT GDC is focusing on talent development and community impact. The company has partnered with ATMI Cikarang to establish a Data Centre Laboratory Learning Centre in West Java, offering hands-on training with industrial-grade equipment. The programme includes globally recognised certification and structured internships, with student placements lasting up to 10 months within STT GDC’s operations.

Additionally, STT GDC is investing in community initiatives around its Jakarta campus. This includes the development of a badminton facility for 10,000 residents in Cikarang and environmental programmes like mangrove planting, benefiting over 150,000 villagers. These efforts aim to ensure that digital infrastructure development contributes positively to local communities.

Hendrikus Hendra Gozali, Country Head of STT GDC Indonesia, stated, “Our initiatives are designed to bridge the gap—equipping local talent with industry-relevant skills whilst ensuring that communities benefit meaningfully from the growth of the digital economy.” As STT GDC continues its expansion, these initiatives underscore its commitment to fostering inclusive growth and supporting Indonesia’s digital ecosystem.

Bank of Singapore has announced the appointment of Lim Leong Guan as Head of Private Banking for the Middle East, South Asia, and International, effective 1 July 2026. Based in Dubai, Lim will also serve as Chief Executive of the Dubai International Financial Centre Branch, pending regulatory approval. This move is part of the bank’s strategy to expand its ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) segment, which saw a 9.4% growth in 2025, according to Capgemini Research Institute.

Lim, a veteran with 35 years in private banking, joined Bank of Singapore in 2020 and has been pivotal in doubling the assets under management (AUM) for the Financial Intermediaries segment. His leadership will be crucial as the bank aims for a 30% increase in UHNW AUM globally by 2028. Lim’s previous roles include Global Head of Financial Intermediaries, Family Office and Wealth Advisory, and Global Head of Products at Bank of Singapore. He also spent 25 years at UBS Wealth Management in senior roles.

Alongside Lim, Rickie Chan and Vi Sun Yang will drive the UHNW strategy in Greater China, North Asia, and ASEAN, respectively. Annabelle Chow will lead the Financial Intermediaries business globally, reporting to Yang. Chow has been instrumental in tripling the size of the FIMs team across Singapore, Hong Kong, and Dubai.

Bank of Singapore CEO Jason Moo expressed confidence in Lim’s ability to capture market opportunities, stating, “LG is a seasoned private banker with a proven track record.” The bank’s focus on UHNW and FIM segments is expected to be a key driver for its next phase of growth.

Applied Materials has officially launched its Tampines Campus in Singapore, marking a US$500m (S$600m) expansion of its manufacturing and research and development operations. This significant investment more than doubles the company’s advanced cleanroom capacity in Singapore, reinforcing its global manufacturing presence. The expansion is part of Applied Materials’ Singapore 2030 plan, which aims to enhance global manufacturing and R&D capabilities, broaden technology partnerships, and promote local workforce development. The company anticipates creating approximately 1,000 new local jobs over the next few years.

In conjunction with the campus opening, Applied Materials announced strategic partnerships with the National University of Singapore (NUS) and the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) to cultivate AI-ready talent for the semiconductor industry. The collaboration with NUS will focus on accelerating semiconductor process development through AI, addressing bottlenecks in chipmaking. NUS will also introduce a new specialisation in Applied AI for Materials and Process Engineering within its Master’s programme in 2026.

Meanwhile, the partnership with SIT includes the establishment of The Applied Materials Professorship and Scholarship, supported by a S$3m endowed gift. Professor Stefan Winkler has been appointed as the inaugural Applied Materials Professor, focusing on advancing semiconductor technologies, AI, and robotics. The scholarship will support engineering undergraduates from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, aiming to develop a skilled workforce equipped with competencies in semiconductor manufacturing and advanced automation.

Brian Tan, Regional President of Applied Materials, emphasised the importance of talent in the evolving semiconductor landscape, stating, “We are committed to creating more pathways for students to develop the skills needed to thrive in this industry.” These initiatives underscore Applied Materials’ commitment to strengthening its global manufacturing and R&D capabilities as demand for semiconductors continues to grow.