Industry News

Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking (Natixis CIB) has announced a significant expansion of its Global Markets team in the Asia Pacific region, introducing several strategic hires to bolster its regional strategy and global ambitions. The appointments aim to enhance the bank’s macro capabilities and accelerate its growth in China.

Vishal Shah has taken on a newly created role as Head of Emerging Markets Linear Interest Rates and Foreign Exchange Trading, Asia Pacific. Based in Hong Kong, Shah will develop Natixis CIB’s macro trading strategy for emerging markets in the region. With 19 years of trading experience, he previously led the EM, FX, and Latin America Trading at Natixis CIB’s New York office.

In Hong Kong, Michael Rothlin has been appointed Head of APAC G10 Linear Rates and FX Trading. Rothlin, who brings over 20 years of trading experience, will drive the bank’s Linear Macro Flow strategy. Meanwhile, in Singapore, Theresa Ang has been named Executive Director, Macro Sales, Rates and FX, to spearhead macro flows development with financial institutions in South East Asia.

Natixis CIB is also expanding its presence in China, appointing Liyuan Xiao as Head of Global Markets, China. Based in Shanghai, Xiao will focus on increasing market activities amidst rising opportunities with Chinese corporates and financial institutions. Additionally, Terry Zhang has been appointed Head of China Financial Institutions Sales, based in Hong Kong.

The bank is also accelerating its Equity Derivatives business with the appointment of Emile Tran as Executive Director, Equity Financial Engineering, Asia Pacific. These strategic hires are expected to diversify and strengthen Natixis CIB’s Global Markets team, particularly in China, where demand is increasing.

Singapore has strengthened its air connectivity by upgrading its Air Services Agreements (ASAs) with Argentina and Türkiye. The agreements, signed on 25 September 2025 in Montreal, Canada, by Han Kok Juan, Director-General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), alongside counterparts from Argentina and Türkiye, aim to facilitate air travel and enhance bilateral relations.

The ASA with Argentina, initially signed in 1997, has been upgraded to an Open Skies Agreement (OSA). This allows designated airlines from both countries to operate passenger and cargo services without restrictions on frequency, capacity, routing, and aircraft type. Previously, airlines faced routing limitations beyond Singapore and Argentine points. This OSA represents a significant milestone in the bilateral relationship between the two nations.

Meanwhile, the ASA with Türkiye, last updated in 2014, has been expanded to permit up to 17 weekly passenger services and four weekly all-cargo services between Singapore and Türkiye. Currently, Singapore Airlines and Turkish Airlines operate a combined total of 18 weekly non-stop passenger services between Singapore and Istanbul.

Han Kok Juan commented, “The upgrading of Singapore’s air service agreements with Argentina and Türkiye are an expression of our shared desire to better connect with each other and to bring our people and businesses even closer together.”

Singapore has signed ASAs with over 140 countries and territories, with more than 80 being OSAs. These agreements are expected to open new travel options and foster strategic airline partnerships.

CGS International Securities Pte. Ltd. has announced the appointment of Phua Zhenghao as Group Head of Investments and Grace Yan as Senior Portfolio Manager, bolstering its Asset Management team. Phua, with over 15 years of experience, will lead the firm’s public markets investment strategies, having previously managed S$40b in multi-asset insurance portfolios at Income Insurance. Yan, recognised for her expertise in Asian equities, joins from Nikko Asset Management, where she led award-winning funds.

Phua’s role will involve overseeing investment strategies and ensuring alignment with CGS International’s broader business objectives. His experience in global asset allocation and risk management is expected to enhance the firm’s public markets platform. “Zhenghao’s analytical depth and strategic foresight will be instrumental in scaling our investment capabilities,” said James Ong, Group Head of Asset Management.

Yan brings 17 years of experience in Asian equities, particularly in small- and mid-cap sectors. Her stock-picking skills have earned her multiple awards, and she will focus on advancing CGS International’s equity and thematic strategies. Her approach is expected to deliver differentiated growth opportunities across Asia.

The appointments reflect CGS International’s commitment to strengthening its senior investment team and enhancing long-term value for clients. The firm, alongside its parent company China Galaxy Securities, serves nearly 18 million customers globally, offering a wide range of financial services across 15 countries.

Frasers Hospitality has announced the signing of Fraser Residence BKK1, Phnom Penh, marking the debut of its signature serviced flat brand in Cambodia. Scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2026, the residence will be located in Phnom Penh’s bustling central business district, offering 83 units ranging from studios to two-bedroom flats.

The development is designed to cater to business travellers, expatriates, and long-stay guests, featuring a range of lifestyle and wellness amenities. These include a full-service restaurant, an exclusive lounge, a state-of-the-art gym, a sauna and steam room, a yoga studio, and a children’s playground.

This expansion underscores Frasers Hospitality’s commitment to the Cambodian market, which is experiencing sustained economic growth and an increasing demand for premium accommodation. The new residence aims to offer luxury, innovation, and elevated urban living tailored to the needs of global travellers.

Frasers Hospitality, a strategic business unit of Frasers Property Limited, operates over 100 lodging assets worldwide. The company is recognised for its commitment to hospitality excellence and innovation, providing memorable experiences for guests and residents.

Singaporean tech firms have captured the lion’s share of Southeast Asia’s tech funding, accounting for 88% of the $2.6b raised in the first nine months of 2025, according to Tracxn’s latest report. This dominance comes amid a 7% drop in overall regional funding compared to the same period in 2024, and a significant 58% decrease from 2023.

The report highlights that whilst the overall funding environment has cooled, late-stage investments have shown resilience, with funding in this category more than doubling to $1.8b compared to $831m in 2024. Key sectors driving investment include Enterprise Applications, Enterprise Infrastructure, and FinTech, with the latter seeing a notable $839m in funding despite a decline from previous years.

Noteworthy funding rounds in 2025 include Digital Edge’s $640m Series D and MiniMax’s $300m Series D. However, the creation of new unicorns has slowed, with only one emerging this year compared to two in 2024.

Acquisitions have also declined, with 42 deals recorded, a 31% drop from the previous year. The largest acquisition was NinjaOne’s $270m purchase of Dropsuite. Meanwhile, IPO activity has surged, with 12 companies going public, including The GrowHub and Nusatrip.

The report underscores Singapore’s pivotal role in the region’s tech ecosystem, supported by major investors like East Ventures and 500 Global. As the funding landscape evolves, Singapore’s tech firms continue to lead, shaping the future of Southeast Asia’s tech industry.

The Responsible Fintech Institute (RFI), a newly established global nonprofit based in Singapore, has officially launched with the mission to integrate traditional and decentralised financial systems. Announced at the Digital Assets Summit 2025, RFI signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Digital Assets Association to formalise their collaboration.

RFI’s founding members include Bison Group, OKG Technology, Remi Technology, VerifyVASP, and SlowMist. This coalition aims to develop digital utilities and foster collaboration among financial institutions, regulators, technology firms, and academia. “We are proud to stand with our founding members who share our vision for a more responsible and secure digital financial future,” said Chia Hock Lai, Chairman of RFI.

The institute’s first major initiative, the Verified Identity Trust Alliance (VITA), will help companies verify customer identities and comply with regulations such as Know Your Customer (KYC). VITA aims to increase trust and safety by providing a shared stamp of approval for digital wallets, reducing redundant checks, and protecting user privacy.

Bison Bank’s Chairman, Bian Fang, emphasised the importance of leveraging technology for a secure financial system, whilst OKG Technology’s CEO, Jeffery Ren, highlighted the need to balance innovation with responsibility. Remi Technology’s CEO, Sam Su, and VerifyVASP’s CEO, Shihyun Chia, also expressed their commitment to establishing standards and safeguards for digital finance.

RFI is poised to play a central role in shaping the future of finance, ensuring that digital innovation is built on trust and accountability.

Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Centre Singapore (HMGICS) is celebrating its first year of community engagement by launching new initiatives aimed at empowering young people and promoting sustainability in Singapore and the ASEAN region. The centre has announced partnerships with OceanX and Temasek Foundation to provide immersive educational experiences and foster youth development.

HMGICS’s collaboration with OceanX will offer Singaporean students hands-on experiences in ocean exploration, robotics, and sustainable mobility. The partnership kicked off with a learning day on 25 September, where students explored the OceanXplorer vessel and participated in workshops at HMGICS. OceanX will also join the HMGICS Annual Hackathon in 2026, contributing a robotics-based challenge and mentorship.

In addition, HMGICS has signed a memorandum of understanding with Temasek Foundation to support the 2025 Temasek Foundation Specialists’ Community Action and Leadership Exchange (SCALE) programme. This initiative will host 240 students from Singapore and ASEAN countries for immersive learning journeys at HMGICS, focusing on advanced manufacturing and sustainability.

Since its inception in 2023, HMGICS has played a crucial role in Hyundai’s transition to a smart mobility provider, integrating production, research and development, and customer experience. The centre’s initiatives align with Singapore’s vision for a sustainable, innovation-driven economy, aiming to nurture local talent and support economic transformation.

HMGICS continues to drive sustainable progress through its commitment to education, innovation, and community engagement, equipping the next generation with the skills to lead future industries.

iROO Singapore has been recognised as the runner-up for Fashion Retailer of the Year at the 2025 Singapore Retailers Association Awards. This accolade highlights iROO’s commitment to design innovation and operational excellence, as well as its dedication to delivering exceptional customer experiences.

The Singapore Retailers Association Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in the retail industry, recognising brands that set benchmarks in innovation, customer service, and brand excellence. iROO’s recognition further reinforces its commitment to offering fashion-forward collections and an elevated shopping experience.

Emily Huang, Chief Operating Officer of iROO Singapore, expressed her gratitude, stating, “We are truly honoured to receive this recognition. This achievement belongs to our entire iROO family — our dedicated staff who work tirelessly, our loyal customers who continue to inspire us, and our valued partners who support us every step of the way.”

Founded in 1999, iROO is a leading Taiwanese fashion label known for its “Weekly Collections,” which feature new designs every week. The brand focuses on empowering women with high-quality, statement pieces across five distinct styles: City Feminine, Urban Fashion, Classic Black & White, Cool-Tech, Sports, and Party.

As iROO continues to grow in Singapore, the brand remains focused on creating unique fashion moments whilst strengthening its service excellence and customer-first approach.

Singapore Management University’s Institute of Innovation & Entrepreneurship (SMU IIE) has introduced the Urban SustaInnovator, a pioneering accelerator programme aimed at advancing urban solutions and sustainability startups. Announced during the 12th Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Plan Competition (LKYGBPC), the initiative was launched by Chee Hong Tat, Minister for National Development.

The Urban SustaInnovator is designed to position SMU as a central hub for deep tech innovation in Asia, leveraging the LKYGBPC’s extensive global talent pool. This year, the competition attracted a record 1,572 applications from 91 countries, with 60 finalists vying for a prize pool of $1.8m (S$2.5m). The programme aims to connect startups with global networks and accelerate talent development, reinforcing Singapore’s status as a leading centre for innovation.

Chee emphasised the importance of the accelerator, stating, “This programme brings together venture capitalists, R&D experts, leading companies, and public agencies to mentor promising urban solutions and sustainability startups.” The accelerator will provide guidance on fundraising, market access, and R&D.

The Urban SustaInnovator is a 12-month, zero-equity, zero-fee programme supported by a consortium of public and private institutions, including A*STAR and ST Engineering. It aims to address critical urban challenges such as decarbonisation and sustainable construction, aligning with the Singapore Green Plan 2030.

Lim Sun Sun, SMU’s Vice President of Partnerships and Engagement, highlighted the programme’s potential, stating it could “catalyse revolutionary solutions for a more equitable, sustainable future.” The initiative is expected to significantly boost knowledge and skills transfer within Singapore’s workforce.

COSCO Shipping International (Singapore) Co., Ltd has announced a renounceable, non-underwritten rights issue involving 2.24 billion new ordinary shares. This strategic move aims to bolster the company’s capital base, providing existing shareholders the opportunity to purchase additional shares. The announcement was made on 29 September 2025 and is available on the company’s Investor Relations website.

The rights issue is designed to raise funds that will be utilised for various corporate purposes, enhancing the company’s financial flexibility. By offering these new shares, COSCO Shipping seeks to strengthen its capital structure and support future growth initiatives.

The rights issue is non-underwritten, meaning it does not have a guarantee from underwriters to purchase any unsubscribed shares. This approach allows the company to manage costs associated with the issuance whilst still providing shareholders with the option to increase their investment in the company.

This announcement is significant for investors as it reflects COSCO Shipping’s commitment to maintaining a robust financial position and pursuing growth opportunities. The proceeds from the rights issue will be allocated to strategic investments and operational enhancements, positioning the company for long-term success.