Industry News

Thai Beverage Public Company Limited (ThaiBev) has announced the incorporation of a new indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, International Food Holding Co Ltd. This development was disclosed on 10 September 2025 through the company’s investor relations website. The new subsidiary is part of ThaiBev’s strategic expansion in the international food sector, aiming to enhance its global footprint and diversify its business operations.

The incorporation of International Food Holding signifies ThaiBev’s commitment to broadening its portfolio beyond its traditional beverage offerings. By establishing this subsidiary, the company seeks to leverage new opportunities in the food industry, which could potentially lead to increased revenue streams and market presence.

This move aligns with ThaiBev’s long-term growth strategy, focusing on innovation and expansion into new markets. The company has been actively pursuing avenues to strengthen its position in the global market, and the creation of this subsidiary is a step towards achieving that goal.

The announcement did not specify the immediate plans or operations of International Food Holding, but it is expected to play a crucial role in Thai Beverage’s future endeavours. As the company continues to evolve, stakeholders will be keenly observing how this new subsidiary contributes to ThaiBev’s overall business objectives.

Ryde Group Ltd has announced a strategic partnership with MooVita to propose an SAE Level 4 autonomous shuttle service in Punggol, Singapore. This initiative aligns with Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow’s declaration that Punggol will be the first Housing Development Board (HDB) estate to pilot autonomous shuttles by the fourth quarter of 2025. The collaboration aims to integrate Ryde’s mobility platform with MooVita’s expertise in autonomous vehicle operations.

The proposed service will connect Punggol residents to MRT stations and transport hubs, accessible via the Ryde app. Terence Zou, CEO of Ryde Group, emphasised a “methodical, safety-first approach” to build public confidence and advance Singapore’s autonomous mobility adoption. MooVita will provide technical support, leveraging its experience in fixed-route autonomous vehicle operations.

Initially, the service will feature certified onboard safety officers for a year, transitioning to remote supervision and eventually full autonomy, pending Land Transport Authority (LTA) approvals. Ryde plans to set new transparency standards by publicly disclosing performance metrics such as service availability and safety records.

Beyond the pilot, Ryde is developing a comprehensive autonomous vehicle (AV) platform to connect various operators, including robotaxis and other services, through a unified interface. This initiative supports Singapore’s vision for smarter, greener transport and positions the city-state as a leader in autonomous mobility innovation. The phased deployment and regular performance reporting aim to ensure accountability and flexibility for optimisation based on operational learnings.

AI is transforming workplaces in Singapore and globally, according to the Unispace Global Workplace Insights Report 2025. Released on 10 September, the report surveyed over 5,231 full-time employees across 14 countries, including 1,020 from Singapore, to understand AI’s impact on work environments. Whilst 28% of respondents believe AI will boost personal productivity, 19% are eager for task automation, and 17% anticipate faster decision-making through AI’s analytical capabilities.

The report highlights that Singapore workers are particularly sensitive to workplace noise and distractions, ranking second globally. This sensitivity underscores the need for redesigned workspaces that accommodate AI, such as project rooms and hybrid collaboration spaces. Additionally, 67.7% of Singapore respondents lack methods to measure AI benefits, contrasting with 85.7% of US respondents who have such measures.

Unispace’s Principal for Strategy & Change, Asia, Jianhan Qiu, emphasised the need for calm, customised workspaces, stating, “Workers are exhausted by chaos and just want workspaces that are calm, comfortable, and customised to their needs.”

The report also notes a shift towards hybrid working, with Singaporeans spending 64% of their weekly hours in the office, 13% more than the global average. This trend reflects cultural norms valuing in-person presence for visibility and collective performance. As hybrid working gains momentum, organisations must adapt to evolving employee expectations for supportive, flexible work environments.
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Coursera has unveiled Skill Tracks, a new data-backed learning solution designed to bridge skill gaps in the workforce by providing structured, occupation-mapped learning paths. The tracks cover Software and Product, IT, Data, and Generative AI (GenAI), offering verifiable credentials that align with real-world job requirements.

The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 highlights that 60% of Singaporean employers identify skill gaps as a major barrier to business transformation.

Skill Tracks are tailored to meet the specific needs of organisations, allowing learning leaders to integrate their own content to align with business priorities. The solution is powered by Coursera’s Career Graph, which uses extensive labour market data to map the relationship between jobs, skills, and learning content. This ensures that employees can quickly acquire the skills necessary for their roles, thereby enhancing business performance.

Coursera CEO Greg Hart emphasised the importance of adaptive learning solutions, stating, “Companies are deploying new technology faster than their people can keep pace, and they need learning solutions that are adaptive and personalised.”

Coursera plans to expand Skill Tracks with additional features, including skill diagnostics and performance-based evaluations, to further enhance job-ready expertise. Existing Coursera customers can access Skill Tracks as part of the full catalogue, whilst new customers have the option to purchase them individually.

Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) has wrapped up the third edition of Sentosa Cares Week, marking its most significant event yet with a record 2,800 beneficiaries and caregivers participating. Held from 3 to 11 September, the event was a highlight of the SG60 celebrations, focusing on social inclusivity and community engagement on Sentosa Island.

This year’s Sentosa Cares Week featured over 30 activities, including thrill-seeking adventures and sensory workshops, attracting more than 350 volunteers and 21 businesses. The event also saw increased participation from 18 beneficiary organisations, up from 12 in 2023, with new partners such as Be Kind SG and the Singapore Stroke Association.

SDC’s collaboration with the Ministry of Social and Family Development and SG Enable, formalised in 2023, aims to create fair employment and social opportunities for persons with disabilities and families in public rental housing.

SDC CEO Thien Kwee Eng stated, “Sentosa Cares Week reaffirms our unwavering commitment to social inclusivity and reflects our core belief that joyful experiences should be accessible to all.”

The event also introduced the Sentosa Cares Benefits Programme, launching on 10 October, offering complimentary or discounted access to Sentosa attractions for persons with disabilities and their caregivers. This initiative aims to make Sentosa a more inclusive destination.

As Sentosa continues to enhance accessibility, it has installed facilities like rental beach wheelchairs and accessible tracks at Palawan and Siloso beaches. The island now employs over 60 individuals with disabilities, showcasing its commitment to a diverse workforce. Sentosa Cares Week exemplifies the spirit of SG60, fostering a community of care and support.

SPTel has unveiled AI-Security, an artificial intelligence (AI) tool designed to enhance the cybersecurity capabilities of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Announced on 3 September, AI-Security aims to help these organisations quickly and cost-effectively identify and assess cyber risks.

AI-Security provides 24/7 monitoring of cybersecurity advisories and vulnerabilities, cross-referencing them against an SME’s digital infrastructure. When a threat is detected, the system issues an immediate alert, allowing engineers or network service providers like SPTel to respond swiftly. The tool also classifies threats using the SME’s risk matrix, aligning with risk policies to prioritise responses and optimise resource allocation.

Heng Kwee Tong, Head of Engineering and Corporate IT at SPTel, stated, “With AI-Security, we are giving SMEs a powerful AI tool that moves cybersecurity beyond reactive protection to proactive intelligence, enabling faster, more effective responses to emerging cyber threats.”

Developed in collaboration with technology provider 1CloudStar, AI-Security is hosted on SPTel’s edge cloud, ensuring data sovereignty and enhanced physical security within Singapore. This setup minimises latency, allowing for responsive performance.

According to the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore’s Cyber Landscape 2023 report, over 80% of organisations experience at least one cybersecurity incident annually. For SMEs, which often lack specialised expertise, robust cyber defence is crucial for business resilience.

Shorea Capital has teamed up with Cover Projects to unveil The Initial Sama, a 92-key serviced residence at 26 Evans Road, Singapore, focusing on wellness and holistic living. The collaboration sees Shorea Capital leading the investment structuring and funding, whilst Cover Projects manages the architecture, interior design, and daily operations.

Located in the heritage district of Bukit Timah, The Initial Sama integrates wellness into its design, offering both short- and long-stay serviced flats. The property includes coworking lounges and Sama Wellness, an in-house centre providing recovery, prevention, and holistic health services. Guests can access spa and therapy rooms, sports diagnostics, and mental wellness consultations, all aimed at promoting a balanced lifestyle.

Lim Keong Wee, Managing Director of Cover Projects, stated, “The Initial Sama represents a new generation of hospitality—where wellness, design, and purposeful living come together seamlessly.”

Eugene Teo, CEO of Shorea Capital, added, “We recognise the growing demand for differentiated and innovative spaces to respond to evolving lifestyle and health-focused needs.”

The Initial Sama, which opened in July 2025, is now welcoming residents seeking a wellness-oriented living environment. This project marks a significant step in redefining urban hospitality by prioritising community, flexibility, and well-being.

PixVerse, a leading AI video platform with over 100 million users globally, has announced a successful Series B funding round, raising $60 million.

The investment, spearheaded by Alibaba with participation from new investor Antler, is set to accelerate the worldwide adoption of PixVerse’s AI video creation tools, making high-quality video production more accessible to creators, businesses, and everyday users.

The company highlighted the significance of this funding as a testament to the potential of the AI video market and the trust it has garnered from its global community.

“Over the past two years, more than 100 million users have turned their imagination into video on PixVerse, inspiring us to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible,” the company said in a statement.

Recently, PixVerse launched its latest model, PixVerse V5, which improves motion quality, visual performance, and prompt accuracy whilst maintaining high generation speed. This model has been benchmarked first in image-to-video and second in text-to-video by Artificial Analysis.

The platform’s viral Venom Effect template, introduced with PixVerse V3, has already generated over one billion views on social media.

PixVerse continues to expand beyond entertainment into sectors such as advertising, e-commerce, and education. With its rapid growth and presence in over 175 countries, PixVerse is committed to making video creation accessible to all, aiming to reach billions who have yet to explore video as a medium for communication and storytelling.

CIMB Group Holdings Berhad has announced a significant leadership change in its Singapore operations. Victor Lee Meng Teck, who has served as CEO of Growth Markets and CEO of CIMB Singapore, has resigned to pursue other opportunities and will be on gardening leave immediately. He joined CIMB Group in January 2019 and took the helm of CIMB Singapore in January 2020.

In the interim, Novan Amirudin, Group CEO of CIMB Group, will oversee the Growth Markets as acting CEO. Andrew Boey, Chief Financial Officer of CIMB Singapore, will assume the role of Officer-in-Charge, managing day-to-day operations to ensure stability and continuity.

Amirudin expressed gratitude for Lee’s contributions, stating, “Victor has been instrumental in transforming and institutionalising CIMB Singapore for continued sustainable success, driven by CIMB Group’s EPICC culture.”

CIMB Group has activated its succession plan and will announce Lee’s successors in due course. This transition marks a pivotal moment for CIMB Singapore as it continues to focus on its strategic goals and maintain its growth trajectory in the region.

TOTM Technologies Limited has entered into a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Agentis Intelligence Pte Ltd, a Singapore-based company specialising in data analytics and blockchain solutions. The MOU seeks to explore joint opportunities in developing secure and scalable digital identity ecosystems for large-scale public sector and enterprise digital transformation projects.

The partnership aims to leverage TOTM’s expertise in biometric and digital identity solutions alongside Agentis’ capabilities in blockchain technologies and decentralised infrastructure. This strategic collaboration is non-exclusive and will initially last for two years, with the possibility of renewal upon mutual agreement.

TOTM Technologies’ Board of Directors confirmed that none of its directors or substantial shareholders have any direct or indirect interest in Agentis or the MOU, aside from their shareholdings in the company. The company plans to make further announcements regarding material developments and any definitive agreements resulting from this MOU.

Shareholders and potential investors are advised to exercise caution when dealing with the company’s securities, as there is no certainty that definitive agreements will be executed. TOTM Technologies encourages stakeholders to seek professional advice if they have any doubts about their actions.