Industry News

The Singapore Exchange (SGX) has announced the launch of the iEdge Singapore Next 50 Indices, a strategic move to increase the visibility of mid-sized companies listed on the exchange. This initiative seeks to provide investors with broader insights into the performance of these companies, which are often overshadowed by larger firms.

The iEdge Singapore Next 50 Indices will focus on the next 50 largest companies by market capitalisation, excluding those already in the benchmark Straits Times Index. This new index aims to offer a more comprehensive view of Singapore’s stock market landscape, highlighting the potential of mid-cap companies.

SGX Indices’ latest offering is expected to attract more attention to these companies, potentially increasing trading volumes and investor interest. By shining a spotlight on these firms, SGX hopes to foster a more dynamic and inclusive market environment.

The launch of the iEdge Singapore Next 50 Indices is part of SGX’s ongoing efforts to innovate and expand its suite of indices. This development is anticipated to provide investors with new opportunities to diversify their portfolios and tap into the growth potential of Singapore’s mid-sized companies.

As the market evolves, SGX’s introduction of these indices underscores its commitment to enhancing market transparency and accessibility, paving the way for future growth and investment opportunities.

Noguchi Coin, Japan’s esteemed curator of collectible coins, has launched its first-ever pop-up store outside Japan at Jewel Changi Airport, Singapore, unveiling the exclusive Jewel Special Edition Commemorative Coin. Limited to just 100 pieces, this coin is available for a short period, marking a significant collaboration with Jewel Singapore.

The Jewel Special Edition Coin, priced at $88 inclusive of GST, features the iconic Rain Vortex of Jewel Changi Airport, the tallest indoor waterfall globally. This design symbolises Singapore’s role as a global hub of commerce and culture, aligning with Noguchi Coin’s philosophy of connecting tradition with the future.

Noguchi Coin is renowned for its commitment to providing high-quality, authentic coins at competitive prices. By sourcing directly from official channels in countries like Canada and Austria, the company reduces distribution costs, ensuring affordability without compromising on quality. The pop-up will also offer GST-exempt coins, including internationally recognised bullion coins such as the Vienna Philharmonic and Canadian Maple Leaf, appealing to collectors and investors.

Strategically located at Jewel Changi Airport, the pop-up offers a unique opportunity for collectors to access exclusive coins not typically available in Singapore. The event is expected to attract coin enthusiasts, design lovers, and cultural aficionados, providing early visitors with the chance to acquire the limited-edition Jewel Noguchi Rain Vortex Coin.

The Noguchi Coin pop-up runs from 4 September to 4 December 2025, open daily from 10am to 10pm.

Grab has announced the launch of Ai.R, its inaugural autonomous vehicle service in Singapore, in collaboration with WeRide. This service, selected by the Land Transport Authority (LTA), will operate in Punggol, marking the first autonomous shuttle service in a residential neighbourhood. Ai.R will initially deploy a fleet of 11 vehicles along two designated routes in Punggol.

The fleet will comprise two WeRide vehicle models: the five-seater GXR and the eight-seater Robobus. Both models have successfully passed Singapore’s Milestone 1 (M1) assessment, confirming their capability to safely navigate public roads. The service aims to enhance connectivity within Punggol, providing residents with improved access to key amenities and transport nodes.

Each Ai.R ride will include a trained Safety Operator, ensuring a seamless transition between autonomous and manual control if necessary. These operators are experienced Grab driver-partners who have undergone comprehensive training by GrabAcademy and WeRide.

Alex Hungate, President and Chief Operating Officer of Grab, highlighted the potential of autonomous vehicles to improve connectivity in underserved areas. Jennifer Li, CFO and Head of International at WeRide, noted that deploying GXRs in Singapore marks a significant milestone in urban transportation for Southeast Asia.

The Ai.R vehicles will begin a “route familiarisation” phase this month, with plans to start passenger services by early 2026. This initiative is expected to set a benchmark for autonomous vehicle deployment in the region, paving the way for further expansion.

The Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore (SEAS) has released its annual survey, “State of the Energy Transition in ASEAN,” revealing a significant shift in focus towards energy storage and grid enhancements. The survey, conducted in August 2025, gathered insights from 105 energy professionals across Southeast Asia, highlighting storage and batteries as the top investment priority for 65.7% of respondents over the next year, followed by transmission upgrades at 41.9%.

The findings underscore the pressing challenges faced by the region, with 73% of respondents citing grid infrastructure gaps as the primary obstacle to scaling renewable energy. Regulatory uncertainty and financing constraints were also identified as significant barriers by 66.7% and 56% of participants, respectively. The survey indicates a growing need for cross-border coordination, with 66.7% of respondents advocating for stronger regional collaboration to enhance supply chain resilience.

Edwin Khew, Chairman of SEAS, commented, “This year’s survey tells a story of a transition under strain, but not in retreat.” He emphasised the importance of Singapore’s evolving role in leveraging its strengths in finance, policy, and diplomacy to build a resilient regional energy framework, with carbon markets as a critical component.

Despite the challenges, confidence in solar energy remains high, with 83.8% of respondents seeing it as the most scalable energy source in the next five years. The survey also highlights the potential of green hydrogen, with 57.1% of respondents optimistic about its future.

The Asia Clean Energy Summit, scheduled for 28-30 October 2025 in Singapore, will address these findings, focusing on strategies to enhance grid resilience and advance carbon market mechanisms. The summit will also introduce a new Bioenergy track to explore emerging renewable technologies.

Ecolab Inc., a global leader in sustainability solutions, has awarded Chandra Asri Group and Aster with the Southeast Asia Impact Awards for their exemplary leadership in water conservation and energy optimisation. The awards recognised the companies’ significant contributions to sustainability efforts in Indonesia and Singapore.

Chandra Asri Group was acknowledged for its outstanding achievements in water conservation and energy optimisation across its operations. The group’s initiatives have been pivotal in reducing water usage and enhancing energy efficiency, setting a benchmark for other companies in the region. Ecolab highlighted Chandra Asri’s commitment to sustainability as a key factor in its decision to honour the group.

Aster, another recipient of the award, was recognised for its innovative approaches to water management and its dedication to sustainable practices. The company’s efforts have not only contributed to environmental conservation but have also demonstrated the economic benefits of sustainable operations.

Ecolab’s Southeast Asia Impact Awards aim to spotlight organisations that lead in sustainability, particularly in water and energy management. By recognising these companies, Ecolab hopes to encourage more businesses to adopt sustainable practices and contribute to environmental preservation.

The recognition of Chandra Asri Group and Aster underscores the growing importance of sustainability in business operations and the positive impact such initiatives can have on the environment and society.

HouseBell, a Singapore-based real estate technology platform, has unveiled its upgraded mobile application, now offering full English-Chinese bilingual support. This development aims to bridge Singapore’s thriving property market with both local and international users, particularly catering to the growing number of Chinese buyers and tenants exploring opportunities in the city-state.

Singapore’s property market continues to attract significant interest from overseas investors. According to the Urban Redevelopment Authority, foreign demand remains robust despite cooling measures, with Chinese buyers consistently ranking among the top foreign purchasers of private homes in 2024. HouseBell’s bilingual app addresses this demand by enabling seamless navigation in both English and Chinese, allowing users to browse property listings, compare prices, and connect with trusted agents without language barriers.

The app also features advanced filters, enabling users to search by price, property type, location, transport access, and nearby schools and healthcare facilities. This empowers users to make informed decisions with transparent and easily accessible information.

“Singapore’s real estate market is increasingly global,” said K Tang, Marketing Director of HouseBell. “With our bilingual app, we aim to make property searches more inclusive, accessible, and transparent for both local and overseas buyers.”

Available for free on iOS and Android platforms, the HouseBell app provides a convenient way for users to explore Singapore’s property market anytime, anywhere. HouseBell combines local market expertise with international insights, connecting global communities with Singapore’s real estate opportunities.

Moody’s Ratings has affirmed Singapore Exchange Limited’s (SGX) Aa2 long-term local and foreign currency issuer ratings, maintaining a stable outlook. The affirmation reflects SGX’s strong profit margins, low debt leverage, and moderate scale compared to global exchanges. The Aa2 ratings are two notches above SGX’s standalone A1 assessment, indicating a high probability of support from the Singapore government in times of need.

SGX’s pre-tax margin is expected to remain high at around 55% over the next 12 to 18 months, driven by its local monopoly, vertical integration, and diversified franchise. The group’s adjusted pre-tax earnings growth is projected to be in the mid to high single-digit percentage range, supported by the Singapore government’s focus on reforming the domestic equity market and increased investor participation in its derivative trading sessions.

SGX’s Debt/EBITDA ratio has declined to 0.8x as of 30 June 2025, continuing a deleveraging trend since 2022. Despite being open to debt-funded acquisitions, SGX’s strong cash position is expected to keep its debt leverage manageable. The creditworthiness of SGX’s clearing houses remains robust due to investment-grade clearing members and risk management standards aligned with global best practices.

Whilst SGX’s ratings are the highest among rated exchanges, an upgrade is unlikely unless the group significantly expands its scale without affecting profit margins and debt leverage. Conversely, a downgrade could occur if SGX’s Debt/EBITDA ratio exceeds 2.0x without a credible plan to restore leverage, or if increased competition leads to a significant drop in pre-tax earnings.
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ComfortDelGro has announced the launch of Zig Driverless, an autonomous shuttle service set to begin operations in Punggol, Singapore, in early 2026. This initiative, in collaboration with Pony.ai, aims to provide residents with improved mobility options and last-mile connectivity, complementing existing public transport infrastructure.

The Zig Driverless service will operate on fixed routes, connecting key destinations such as residential areas, transport hubs, and community facilities within Punggol. Bookings for these driverless rides can be made through the ComfortDelGro Zig app. The service builds on ComfortDelGro’s partnership with Pony.ai, leveraging over 50 million kilometres of autonomous driving experience and the company’s expertise in infrastructure and fleet management.

ComfortDelGro’s Managing Director and Group CEO, SK Cheng, highlighted the programme’s potential to attract younger talent to the transport industry. “This programme leverages ComfortDelGro’s unique position as a strong infrastructure and fleet management expert with successful AV trials,” he stated. The autonomous shuttles will feature advanced sensor fusion systems, including LiDAR, radar, and cameras, supported by high-precision mapping.

Safety remains a priority, with each vehicle undergoing rigorous testing and equipped with comprehensive safety systems such as obstacle detection and emergency braking protocols. Trained safety operators will oversee the programme, utilising ComfortDelGro’s expertise in human-machine interaction protocols.

This development marks a significant milestone in Singapore’s autonomous vehicle journey, promising innovative, safe, and reliable transport solutions whilst ensuring a responsible transition for the workforce and industry.

JTC has announced the successful awarding of the industrial site tender at Kaki Bukit Avenue 5 to Extra Space Kaki Bukit Pte. Ltd. The tender, which was launched on 27 May 2025, concluded on 22 July 2025, with the sole bid amounting to $31.39m.

The site at Kaki Bukit Avenue 5 is a significant addition to Singapore’s industrial landscape, providing opportunities for further development in the area. The tender process, managed by JTC, attracted interest but ultimately received only one bid, highlighting the competitive nature of industrial site allocations in Singapore.

Extra Space Kaki Bukit’s successful bid underscores the company’s commitment to expanding its footprint in the industrial sector. The awarded site is expected to bolster the company’s capabilities and contribute to the broader industrial growth in the region.

This development is part of JTC’s ongoing efforts to optimise land use and support industrial growth in Singapore. By awarding this tender, JTC aims to facilitate the development of infrastructure that meets the evolving needs of businesses and supports economic growth.

The Singapore Exchange (SGX) Group has announced that China Securities (International) Brokerage Company Limited has become its latest Derivatives Trading Member. This development aims to bolster the trading capabilities and market reach of SGX Group, further integrating international players into its trading ecosystem.

China Securities, a prominent player in the financial services sector, is expected to bring significant expertise and resources to SGX Group’s derivatives market. The inclusion of China Securities is part of SGX Group’s ongoing strategy to expand its network of trading members, thereby enhancing market liquidity and offering a wider range of trading opportunities to its participants.

The addition of China Securities is anticipated to strengthen the ties between Singapore and China in the financial sector, promoting cross-border trading activities. This move aligns with SGX Group’s commitment to fostering a robust and diverse trading environment, which is crucial for maintaining its competitive edge in the global financial markets.

SGX Group’s decision to welcome China Securities as a Derivatives Trading Member underscores its dedication to expanding its international footprint and enhancing its service offerings. As the financial landscape continues to evolve, such strategic partnerships are vital for sustaining growth and innovation within the industry.