Industry News

M45 Capital Partners, a Singapore-based multi-asset investment platform, has announced the appointment of Gordon Yeo as Partner and Head of Public Equities and Fundamental Research. Yeo, who brings over 14 years of experience from Arisaig Partners, will lead M45’s public equities platform and oversee the development of the M45 Global Compounder Fund. This fund is an unconstrained global public equity strategy aimed at long-term capital allocation.

Yeo’s role will also involve integrating insights across public markets, private investments, and credit, reinforcing M45’s cross-asset investment philosophy. His appointment is expected to deepen the firm’s sector and company-level research capabilities, enhancing its ability to identify and execute direct and co-investment opportunities.

Jason Kang, Founding Partner and Chief Investment Officer of M45 Capital Partners, expressed enthusiasm about Yeo’s addition, stating, “He brings deep institutional investing experience, a rigorous research mindset, and a long-term approach to capital allocation that aligns closely with the philosophy we are building at the firm.”

Yeo commented on his new role, saying, “M45 is building an investment platform centred on disciplined capital compounding and thoughtful risk management across cycles. By combining deep company research with insights drawn from both public and private markets, we believe we can develop a differentiated approach to long-term capital allocation for our partners.”

M45 Capital Partners plans to expand its investment team further, investing in talent and infrastructure to support its ambition of delivering a differentiated institutional-grade investment platform for families and long-term investors across Singapore and the broader region.

UQPAY, a Singapore-based fintech company, has unveiled a comprehensive payment platform designed to integrate traditional finance with stablecoin-based systems. This dual-rail full-stack infrastructure aims to simplify global commerce by unifying global acquiring, global accounts, card issuing, and stablecoin accounts into a single, compliance-ready ecosystem. The platform supports operations in 200 markets and 140 currencies, addressing the complexities of cross-border commerce by consolidating the payment lifecycle into one system.

The platform offers a range of features including global acquiring for online and in-store payments, a global account infrastructure with multicurrency accounts, cross-border payouts via local clearing networks and SWIFT channels, card issuing with spending controls, and stablecoin account infrastructure for fiat-to-crypto flows. A single API integration allows businesses to centralise payment orchestration, liquidity management, and reconciliation processes.

Jack Li, CEO and Founder of UQPAY, stated, “Our infrastructure removes the need for businesses to manage separate systems for fiat and stablecoin payments.” This integration is particularly beneficial as stablecoins gain traction in global trade, offering faster settlements and reduced cross-border friction.

UQPAY’s platform is tailored for high-growth sectors such as cross-border e-commerce, SaaS, gaming, online education, and Web3-native companies. It ensures compliance and security with features like 3D Secure authentication and real-time transaction notifications. The platform is now globally available, with flexible onboarding plans for startups to large enterprises.

A recent survey by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) reveals a significant rise in entrepreneurial aspirations among women in Singapore’s finance sector. According to early findings from ACCA’s Global Talent Trends 2026 report, 42% of women in finance and accountancy now aim to become entrepreneurs, a notable increase from 31% the previous year.

The survey, which gathered insights from over 11,000 finance professionals across 175 countries, highlights a growing confidence among women to leverage their financial expertise for business ownership. This trend is particularly strong among younger professionals, with half of Generation Z and Millennial women expressing entrepreneurial ambitions.

Helen Brand, ACCA’s chief executive, remarked, “Entrepreneurship represents economic empowerment in action. The number of women aspiring to business ownership is an encouraging signal that finance and accountancy skills are equipping women not only to lead within organisations, but to build enterprises of their own.”

The data suggests that accountancy is increasingly viewed as a foundation for entrepreneurship, with over half of respondents recognising their finance background as advantageous for starting a business. This shift is most evident in emerging markets, where entrepreneurship is often seen as a route to economic mobility and societal impact.

Daniel Leung, ACCA’s country head for Singapore, noted, “The drive towards entrepreneurship is especially evident among younger finance professionals. They see accountancy as more than a technical discipline; it is a launchpad for innovation, independence, and impact.”

As International Women’s Day 2026 approaches, these findings underscore the evolving role of accountancy in fostering economic empowerment and highlight the importance of supporting women’s entrepreneurial potential for broader economic growth.

Marco Polo Marine has successfully raised S$21m through a private placement to fund its business expansion, with marine industry veteran Michael Kum increasing his investment via Halom Investments. Kum’s total shareholding now stands at approximately 225 million shares, translating to a 5.77% interest in the company.

The investment highlights confidence in Marco Polo Marine’s strategic positioning and growth potential in the offshore wind and marine logistics sectors. CEO Sean Lee expressed his appreciation, stating, “We are honoured that Michael Kum has chosen to increase his stake in Marco Polo Marine. His decision to further invest in our company is the strongest possible validation of our strategic direction, operational excellence, and the growth potential we are unlocking in both the offshore oil and gas and renewable energy sectors.”

Kum’s extensive experience in the maritime industry is seen as a valuable asset to the company. Lee added, “His unparalleled experience in building and scaling offshore maritime business is perfectly aligned with our core operations. We believe his insights will be invaluable as we navigate the next chapter of our growth.”

This strategic move is expected to bolster Marco Polo Marine’s capabilities in the offshore wind and marine logistics markets, paving the way for future growth and development.

River Modern, a new residential development in River Valley Green, has sold 90% of its units during its launch weekend, according to PropNex CEO Kelvin Fong. The development’s success highlights the sustained demand for quality projects in Singapore’s Core Central Region (CCR), driven by attractive pricing and strategic location.

The project features 455 units, with two-bedroom units starting at $1.548m and four-bedroom units priced from $4.588m. The pricing strategy, particularly for the two- and three-bedroom units, falls within the $1.5m to $2.5m range, appealing to many buyers. The development offers a variety of unit sizes, from two-bedroom units measuring 538-689 sq ft to four-bedroom units spanning 1,464-1,830 sq ft.

River Modern’s location provides direct access to Great World MRT station on the Thomson-East Coast Line, enhancing connectivity to key commercial areas like Orchard Road and Marina Bay. The proximity to Great World mall and the Orchard Road shopping district adds to its appeal. Additionally, many units offer views of the Singapore River, a rare feature that further boosts the project’s attractiveness.

The launch serves as an indicator of market sentiment amidst geopolitical uncertainties, reflecting the resilience of Singapore’s property market. Upcoming projects in Q2 2026, such as Rivelle Tampines EC and Pinery Residences, are expected to benefit from this positive trend.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has announced the development of the Maritime Singapore Master Plan, set for release in 2027, to enhance the nation’s maritime competitiveness amidst a challenging global environment. The plan will focus on strengthening Singapore as a global hub port, advancing its status as an International Maritime Centre, and fostering maritime technology and innovation, including artificial intelligence and research and development.

The MPA will engage with businesses, industry stakeholders, and the public to gather feedback and co-create a shared vision. A local industry panel will also be formed to provide insights on opportunities and challenges. The plan aims to build on the sector’s growth, which has seen over 200 international shipping groups establish a presence in Singapore and created approximately 2,000 professional, managerial, and executive jobs for locals in the past five years.

To support talent development, the MPA will introduce the Maritime Cluster Fund – Global Rotation, co-funding overseas deployments for local middle managers. Additionally, the Maritime Cluster Fund – Management Associate scheme will be streamlined to facilitate career development programmes for young professionals.

In a bid to anchor maritime innovation in Singapore, the MPA will launch a new innovation track under the Maritime Cluster Fund – Business Development scheme. This initiative will attract maritime companies to establish innovation and technology teams in Singapore, with co-funding for costs such as rentals and salaries.

Furthermore, from the second half of 2026, the MPA will expand trials of unmanned surface vessels in Singapore’s port waters, focusing on surveillance and hydrographic operations. These trials aim to enhance safety and efficiency, with findings supporting the integration of such vessels into port operations.

The MPA is also advancing its Maritime Digital Twin initiative, with pilots set to improve coordination in supply services and incident response. These efforts will leverage real-time data to enhance service reliability and situational awareness.

Finally, the Just-In-Time Planning and Coordination Platform, launched in 2024, continues to optimise port operations, with trials for tankers commencing by March 2026. The completion of Maritime 5G coverage in 2025 further supports these initiatives, enabling real-time applications and enhancing maritime operations.

UOB Global Economics and Markets Research has released a report assessing the macroeconomic risks posed to Singapore by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The report, dated 6 March 2026, highlights that whilst the direct impact on Singapore’s GDP growth is expected to be limited, inflationary pressures could be more significant due to rising oil and gas prices.

The report notes that Brent crude oil prices are anticipated to remain elevated between US$80 and US$90 per barrel in the short term, potentially easing to US$75 if the conflict remains short-lived. Singapore’s export exposure to the Middle East is minimal, accounting for only 2% of total exports in 2024. However, the import share from the region is higher, driven largely by energy-related goods.

UOB’s analysis suggests that approximately 7–8% of Singapore’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) basket is directly affected by oil and gas prices. This includes electricity, gas, petrol, and transport services. The Energy Market Authority has indicated that global energy price increases could lead to higher domestic electricity prices, although many consumers are protected by fixed-price contracts.

The report also discusses potential spillover effects on inflation from increased utility and transport costs. A US$10 increase in Brent crude oil prices could raise core inflation by 30–40 basis points. UOB maintains its 2026 core inflation forecast at 1.5%, with risks skewed to the upside if the conflict persists. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) may consider tightening policy at its April 2026 meeting by adjusting the Singapore dollar nominal effective exchange rate (S$NEER) band slope.

In summary, whilst Singapore’s GDP growth may not be significantly impacted, the ongoing Middle East conflict poses a risk of heightened inflation, prompting potential policy adjustments by MAS.

OxPay Financial Limited has announced a strategic partnership with Liquid Group to integrate the RoamQR payment framework into its platform, enhancing QR wallet acceptance for merchants. This collaboration aims to support merchants in capturing increased tourist spending and strengthen OxPay’s merchant acquiring capabilities.

The integration of Liquid Group’s RoamQR will enable merchants to accept multiple regional e-wallets through local QR codes. This move is expected to drive growth in total processing volume by accommodating payment methods familiar to tourists. OxPay plans to leverage RoamQR in overseas markets where it holds payment licences, targeting tourism-driven digital payment growth across key Asian countries.

Chin Mun Chung, CEO of OxPay, highlighted the importance of merchant acquiring for the company’s growth, stating, “Delivering value-added and differentiated services is essential to enhance merchant loyalty and expand our market share.” Jeremy Tan, CEO of Liquid Group, added, “Our partnership with OxPay extends interoperability directly to merchants in Singapore and, over time, to OxPay’s regional markets.”

Singapore’s tourism sector saw significant growth in 2025, with tourism receipts reaching S$23.9b from January to September. This partnership aligns with the Singapore Tourism Board’s ambition to grow tourism receipts to S$47-50b by 2040.

OxPay, operating in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, provides merchant payment services and digital commerce solutions. Liquid Group, a Singapore-based fintech company, specialises in cross-border digital payments through its RoamQR network.

Retail sales in Singapore experienced a slight decline of 0.4% in January 2026 compared to the same month last year, according to the latest figures from the Retail Sales Index. The drop follows a 2.5% increase in December 2025. Excluding motor vehicles, retail sales fell by 2.8%. The decline is partly attributed to the timing of Chinese New Year, which was celebrated in February this year as opposed to January last year. However, on a month-on-month basis, seasonally adjusted retail sales rose by 6.1%, with a 7.1% increase when excluding motor vehicles.

The total retail sales value for January 2026 was estimated at $4.6 billion, with online sales accounting for 14.4% of this figure. Notably, the Computer & Telecommunications Equipment sector saw 56.5% of its sales conducted online.

In the Food & Beverage (F&B) sector, sales dropped by 3.4% year-on-year, following a 0.3% decrease in December 2025. The shift in Chinese New Year celebrations also impacted this sector. Seasonally adjusted, F&B sales rose by 1.8% from the previous month. The total sales value for F&B services was approximately $1.6 billion, with online sales making up 22.1%.

Within the retail sector, the Wearing Apparel & Footwear industry saw a significant year-on-year decline of 12.9%, whilst Recreational Goods and Motor Vehicles recorded growths of 19.6% and 15.6%, respectively. In the F&B sector, Restaurants experienced a 9.3% drop in sales, whereas Cafes and Food Caterers saw increases of 9.3% and 3.1%, respectively.

These indices provide a snapshot of the economic activity in Singapore’s retail and F&B sectors, reflecting changes in consumer behaviour and market conditions.

Wind Asia Training Pte Ltd, a subsidiary of Sheffield Green, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Vestas Offshore Wind Taiwan Limited to explore potential training services collaboration for Vestas personnel in Taiwan. The agreement will see Vestas assess Wind Asia Training’s Chiayi facilities for technical training and Global Wind Organisation (GWO)-certified programmes.

The collaboration aims to enhance workforce skills development within the wind industry in Taiwan, with potential expansion into Japan and other Asia-Pacific markets. Gavin Taylor, CEO of Wind Asia Training, stated, “This MOU represents a valuable opportunity to explore areas of cooperation with Vestas to support their training requirements in Taiwan, and potentially other regional markets, subject to further agreement.”

Sheffield Green, headquartered in Singapore, specialises in providing human resource services for the renewable energy sector, including onshore and offshore wind, solar, and green hydrogen projects. The company is well-positioned to support the growing demand for skilled personnel in the renewable energy industry across the Asia-Pacific region.

The partnership between Wind Asia Training and Vestas highlights the increasing focus on developing technical expertise and certified training programmes to meet the evolving needs of the renewable energy sector. As the industry continues to expand, such collaborations are crucial for ensuring a skilled workforce capable of supporting future growth and innovation.