Industry News

Sanli Environmental Ltd, a Singapore-based environmental engineering group, is poised for significant growth, with an expected earnings per share (EPS) compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 88.7% from FY25 to FY28. This projection is supported by a strong order book valued at $333.9m as of 15 July 2025, and the potential for further order wins totalling approximately $205m by the end of the calendar year 2025.

The company’s growth is underpinned by Singapore’s substantial investment in water management, with annual spending exceeding $1b from 2016 to 2023, according to the Public Utilities Board’s 2024 report. Sanli’s strategic focus on securing high-value contracts, such as the bid for the Changi NEWater Facility 3, positions it well to capitalise on these opportunities.

Sanli is also diversifying its revenue streams through the production of magnesium hydroxide slurry, a product used in environmental applications like wastewater treatment and marine scrubbers. This initiative is expected to yield a gross margin of approximately 40%, tapping into Singapore’s status as a major shipping hub.

Despite challenges such as potential policy changes and workforce shortages, Sanli’s established market presence and certification to bid for high-value contracts make it an attractive target for overseas conglomerates. The company’s strategy includes potential joint ventures to alleviate working capital pressures.

In conclusion, Sanli Environmental Ltd’s strategic initiatives and robust order pipeline suggest a promising trajectory for growth, with potential implications for increased market competitiveness and expansion into new business segments.
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Antom, a prominent merchant payment and digitisation services provider under Ant International, has unveiled a groundbreaking agentic payment solution. This innovative system introduces a secure alternative payment method (APM) checkout solution and is among the first to pilot card-based transaction capabilities for AI agents in collaboration with Mastercard and Visa.

The agentic payment solution is designed to meet the growing demand for flexible and reliable payment options in commercial settings. It offers comprehensive payment method coverage, including APMs and credit cards, ensuring seamless transactions through AI-ready payment mandates and enhanced asset management. This system aims to safeguard transaction security whilst providing transparency for users.

Antom’s solution is built on the Model Context Protocol, supporting embedded payment flows via dialogue-based interactions with AI agents. It accommodates both confirmed purchase requests and conditional transactions, such as those within predefined spending limits. The solution is now open-sourced on GitHub, allowing developers to access and implement it.

A key feature of the solution is Antom EasySafePay, the industry’s first streamlined checkout solution for APMs. It simplifies the payment process by allowing users to link digital wallets directly to the checkout page, eliminating the need for redirection to external apps. This integration is supported by Multi-Party Computation (MPC)-based AI risk management and mobile device security systems to prevent fraud and identity misuse.

Antom’s collaboration with Mastercard and Visa in Asia Pacific aims to explore tokenised card-based agentic payments, advancing AI commerce with secure and seamless checkout experiences. This initiative is part of Ant International’s strategy to support AI-driven commerce, enabling developers, financial institutions, and merchants to embrace this technology confidently.

Gary Liu, General Manager of Antom, stated, “Agentic payment is a foundational step in allowing AI agents to generate real value in our everyday life. We look forward to co-building the protocols and frameworks with partners across the financial, tech, and commerce sectors to ensure agentic payments are smooth and reliable.”
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Trip.com is set to delight travellers with its 9.9 Mega Sale, running from 9 to 12 September 2025, offering a plethora of travel deals designed to stretch your travel budget further. The sale includes daily midnight coupon drops, Buy 1 Get 1 Free offers on flights and attractions, flash hotel sales, and discounts on car rentals and tours.

The sale promises significant savings, with highlights such as up to $73 (S$100) off flight and hotel bookings through daily midnight coupon drops. Travellers can also take advantage of Buy 1 Get 1 Free deals on Korean Air flights starting at 9am on 9 September. Additionally, there are all-in-fare flight deals, including $438 (S$599) return flights to Tokyo on All Nippon Airways and $219 (S$299) return flights to Shanghai on China Eastern Airlines.

For those holding DBS/POSB cards, there are exclusive return flight deals to Kuala Lumpur and Penang from $50 (S$69), and to Bali and Bangkok from $72 (S$99), available daily at 1pm during the sale period.

The sale also features Buy 1 Get 1 Free attraction deals, with discounts on tickets to popular destinations such as Universal Studios Japan, Ocean Park in Hong Kong, and LEGOLAND in Malaysia. These deals are available at various times throughout the sale days.

Trip.com’s Hotel Flash Sales offer further savings on popular hotels worldwide, with the best prices available at 3pm on 9 September. This sale is one of Trip.com’s largest promotions of the year, providing a unique opportunity for travellers to secure their dream getaways at reduced prices.
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The Port of Singapore has once again been recognised as the “Best Global Seaport” for the fourth time and the “Best Seaport in Asia” for the 37th time at the 2025 Asian Freight, Logistics and Supply Chain (AFLAS) Awards. The awards ceremony took place in Hong Kong on 3 September 2025, underscoring Singapore’s pivotal role in the global supply chain.

Organised annually by Asia Cargo News, the AFLAS Awards celebrate excellence in the logistics and supply chain sectors, focusing on service quality, innovation, and reliability. Winners are selected based on nominations and votes from over 15,000 readers of the publication, reflecting the industry’s trust and recognition.

Ang Wee Keong, Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, expressed gratitude for the accolades, stating, “These awards reflect the collective efforts of our industry stakeholders, international partners, research community, and unions. We remain committed to developing Singapore as a global hub port and an international maritime centre. Singapore will continue to strive to be a preferred port of call.”

The Port of Singapore’s repeated success at the AFLAS Awards highlights its ongoing commitment to maintaining high standards and its strategic importance in international maritime activities. As Singapore continues to enhance its port facilities and services, these awards reinforce its status as a leading maritime hub.
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The Skechers Friendship Walk 2025 made a vibrant debut at Marina Barrage, drawing 5,000 participants to raise $10,000 for APSN, a social service agency supporting individuals with mild intellectual disabilities. Organised by Skechers, the event featured a 10KM Competitive Run and a 5KM Leisure Walk, promoting active lifestyles and community bonding.

The day began with the 10KM run at 7:00 AM, flagged off by Skechers’ management team, including Zann Lee, Irene Lee, and Eileen Tan. Following this, the 5KM walk offered participants lighthearted activities such as a Mini Photo Challenge and Walk the Plank mission. Mediacorp personality Hazelle Teo hosted the event, maintaining high spirits throughout.

Celebrity guests, including Aileen Tan and Eric Teo, joined the walk, showcasing Skechers’ Hands Free Slip-Ins GOwalk 8 shoes. The event also featured a giant Skechers logo photo wall, symbolising the collective effort of participants.

Skechers’ partnership with APSN continues to provide employment opportunities for individuals with mild intellectual disabilities. This year’s donation was celebrated with a performance by APSN beneficiary Samuel Lee En Ci, adding to the day’s festivities.

Post-walk activities at the Skechers Race Village included interactive games and a stage game, Guess the Price. The event concluded with the announcement of the 10KM run winners and a lucky draw, where Zi Qin Saw won a year’s supply of Skechers footwear, marking a memorable end to the day.
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BDO Business Services & Outsourcing and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance accounting and business services training for students. Over the next three years, this collaboration will benefit approximately 1,000 Higher Nitec in Accounting students across all ITE Colleges in Singapore, providing them with essential skills and exposure to meet the evolving demands of the business services sector.

The MOU establishes a framework for cooperation that includes training in industry-standard software such as Xero and Prosoft Unit4, as well as internship and employment opportunities for ITE students and graduates. Additionally, BDO professionals will host guest lectures, career talks, and industry visits, alongside training workshops on current industry practices.

Low Khah Gek, CEO of ITE, emphasised the partnership’s role in preparing students for the workforce: “This partnership goes beyond equipping students with technical know-how. By exposing them to real-world industry practices and workplace learning experience, we are preparing work-ready graduates who can step confidently into Singapore’s dynamic business environment and make meaningful contributions from day one.”

Frankie Chia, Managing Director of BDO, highlighted the collaboration’s significance in shaping future talent: “Through this collaboration with ITE, we are proud to play a pivotal role in developing talent, strengthening organisational resilience, and shaping the future of business services in Singapore.”

The initiatives will be branded under the “BDO–ITE” banner, aiming to enhance the visibility and impact of the collaboration. This partnership marks a significant step in bridging the gap between academia and industry, ensuring students are well-prepared for their future careers.
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Moomoo Singapore has been honoured with the WealthTech of the Year and Personal Finance Tech of the Year awards at the 2025 Asia FinTech Awards. These accolades recognise Moomoo’s commitment to enhancing the investment experience for both retail and high-net-worth investors through cutting-edge technology and client-focused solutions.

The WealthTech of the Year award acknowledges Moomoo’s success in integrating advanced technology with financial expertise to elevate the private wealth experience. The company’s Moomoo Private Wealth service, designed for individuals with at least $1m in investable assets, offers institutional-grade capabilities such as comprehensive stock screeners, advanced charting tools, and real-time market data. Strategic partnerships with leading asset managers further enrich the platform, providing clients with diversified and trusted investment options.

Meanwhile, the Personal Finance Tech of the Year award highlights Moomoo’s impact on democratising investing for retail users. With over 15 million local users, Moomoo Singapore has achieved a 50% growth in just 15 months. The platform offers access to global markets through a user-friendly interface and supports educational initiatives like MooLearn, which provides over 2,000 investment courses.

Echo Zhao, Country Head of Moomoo Singapore, expressed that these awards are a testament to the company’s mission and progress. “Winning both WealthTech of the Year and Personal Finance Tech of the Year reflects our dual focus on building a robust platform for wealth creation and ensuring individual investors have the tools, knowledge, and confidence to invest wisely,” Zhao said.

Looking ahead, Moomoo Singapore aims to continue elevating financial literacy and enhancing the investment journeys of its users by exploring AI-powered tools and strengthening partnerships with asset managers.
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UOB Asset Management (UOBAM) has launched UOBAM Gold+, a new managed portfolio solution designed for Singapore investors seeking to diversify their portfolios with gold. The strategy combines an equal allocation of SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust ETF and United Gold & General Fund, along with a 2% cash buffer, to provide a balanced and cost-efficient exposure to both physical gold and diversified mining equities.

The UOBAM Gold+ portfolio is structured to offer stability through physical gold and growth potential via top-tier mining companies. Rachel Ong, Chief Marketing Officer of UOBAM, highlighted the portfolio’s dual benefits, stating, “The UOBAM Gold+ is designed to offer the best of both worlds for investors who are looking for portfolio diversification.” This strategy comes at a time when gold prices are reaching all-time highs, driven by inflation risks, shifting interest rates, and geopolitical uncertainties.

Available exclusively on the UOBAM Invest app, the portfolio requires a low minimum investment of just $1, making it accessible to a wide range of investors. Additionally, there are no advisory or platform charges, enhancing its appeal. The SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust ETF is noted for its competitive expense ratio, whilst the United Gold & General Fund boasts over 30 years of performance in investing in global mining companies. This launch underscores gold’s role as a liquid safe-haven asset and a strategic diversifier in long-term investment portfolios.
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Food Empire Holdings Limited, a multinational food and beverage group based in Singapore, has achieved its most successful year at the 2025 Annual International ARC Awards, securing six awards. The company received four Golds in categories such as Traditional Annual Report, Cover Photo/Design, Illustrations, and Design/Graphics, all within the Beverage & Food Manufacturer group. Additionally, Food Empire earned a Silver for the PDF Version of its Annual Report and an Honours distinction for Interior Design.

The ARC Awards, established in 1987, are renowned as the world’s largest competition for excellence in annual reporting, often dubbed the “Academy Awards of Annual Reports.” They celebrate creativity, clarity, and effectiveness in reporting, setting a global benchmark for best-in-class design and presentation.

Wang Cheow Tan, Executive Chairman of Food Empire, expressed pride in the recognition, stating, “Our windfall at the 2025 Annual International ARC Awards is a strong testament to the standards of excellence we uphold in our reporting and communications. Annual reports are not only a statutory obligation, but also a powerful medium to share our journey, strategy, and values with stakeholders.”

Food Empire, listed on the SGX Mainboard, operates in over 60 countries and is known for its diverse portfolio, including instant beverages and snack foods. The company continues to expand its presence globally, supported by nine manufacturing facilities and 23 offices worldwide. With a commitment to sustainability and business excellence, Food Empire remains a significant player in the food and beverage industry.
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DBS Group Research has released a report indicating that Singapore’s stock market is set to benefit from diversified fund inflows, maintaining a year-end target for the Straits Times Index (STI) at 4,430. The report highlights Singapore’s appeal as a safe haven due to its low US reciprocal tariff rate, skilled workforce, supportive policies, and political stability. These factors, alongside a 3.27% yield spread between the STI and the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s 10-year yield, are expected to support equities despite a forecasted earnings dip.

The report notes that small to mid-cap stocks are likely to outperform the STI, driven by the Equity Market Development Programme (EQDP) and enhancements to the GEMS scheme. “Yangzijiang and UMS Integration are stocks that should buck the trend of negative headline EPS decline within the industrials and info tech sectors,” the report states.

DBS suggests positioning for external fund inflows, EQDP, and REITs, with large-cap stocks such as Singtel and Yangzijiang being key beneficiaries. The report also identifies potential beneficiaries among small-mid caps, including UMS Integration and ComfortDelGro.

The report underscores the importance of Singapore’s market amidst macro uncertainties, with September traditionally being a weak month for the US stock market. It also anticipates developments in the EQDP, with Fullerton Fund Management set to launch its Singapore Value-Up fund in Q4 2025, focusing on local small-mid caps.
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