Industry News

The Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) hosted its annual Manufacturing Day Summit 2026, focusing on how the manufacturing sector can leverage advanced technologies and sustainable practices in the Industry 5.0 era. The event, attended by approximately 1,500 delegates, featured key announcements aimed at bolstering Singapore’s manufacturing capabilities.

A significant highlight was the launch of the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) Playbook for Manufacturers. This comprehensive guide is designed to assist manufacturers in setting up operations in Johor, offering insights into regulatory requirements and investment pathways. “With the launch of the Playbook, we aim to support companies with faster decision cycles and increased confidence in executing cross-border setups,” said Lennon Tan, President of SMF.

Complementing the playbook, SMF announced an AI-enabled chatbot to be launched soon. This tool will provide manufacturers with personalised guidance on regulations and incentives, ensuring they have access to the latest information for cross-border expansion.

The summit also saw the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between SMF’s Advanced Manufacturing Training Academy and A*STAR SIMTech. This partnership will introduce the Manufacturing Leadership Elevation Certificate Programme, aimed at developing leaders capable of driving AI-enabled manufacturing transformation.

These initiatives underscore SMF’s commitment to reducing barriers for cross-border growth and fostering leadership in AI-enabled manufacturing. As the sector continues to evolve, these tools and programmes are set to play a crucial role in ensuring Singapore’s manufacturing industry remains competitive and sustainable.

Morgan Stanley Research has forecasted that the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) will likely tighten its policy in April, reverting to a “modest and gradual” appreciation path. This prediction is based on the MAS’s assessment of a positive output gap for the second consecutive year and normalising price pressures.

In its January meeting, the MAS maintained all parameters of its Singapore Dollar Nominal Effective Exchange Rate (S$NEER) policy. However, it raised its 2026 inflation projections to 1-2% and noted that the output gap would remain positive throughout the year. Morgan Stanley suggests that if incoming data aligns with the MAS’s assessment and no significant downside risks arise, a steeper slope of S$NEER appreciation could be the most likely policy tightening option in April.

The bank’s analysis indicates that further tightening will depend on the pace of economic growth and the strengthening of inflationary pressures. “Following the strong performance in 2025, growth this year is expected to remain resilient,” the MAS highlighted, suggesting a positive outlook for the economy.

Morgan Stanley also pointed out that global growth shocks and inflationary trends will be critical indicators to watch. Any adverse events, such as geopolitical conflicts or tariff escalations, could impact global investor sentiment and delay the tightening process.

In conclusion, Morgan Stanley’s report underscores the likelihood of a policy shift by the MAS in April, contingent on economic indicators and external factors. This potential move aims to safeguard medium-term price stability amidst evolving economic conditions.

The Singapore property auction market experienced a significant surge in 2025, with listings reaching a four-year peak. According to ETC, a member of Realion Group, 529 properties were listed for auction, marking a 22.2% rise from 433 in 2024. This increase was largely fuelled by a rise in mortgagee-sale listings, which accounted for 62.9% of the total.

The uptick in auction listings has led to a higher success rate, with 24 properties sold in 2025 compared to 15 the previous year. This raised the auction success rate to 4.5% from 3.5% in 2024. The total transaction value at auction soared to S$64.8m, a 126% year-on-year increase, driven by the sale of several high-value properties exceeding S$5m.

Joy Tan, Head of Auction & Sales at ETC, noted, “The increase in auction listings in 2025 reflected the continued use of auctions by both property owners and financial institutions as a transparent and effective sales platform.” She added that the rise in mortgagee-sale listings was due to tighter financing conditions and a cautious economic environment, rather than a fundamental change in seller behaviour.

Residential properties dominated the auction listings, making up 50.9% of the total, followed by industrial and retail properties. Notable sales included a 3-storey factory at Tagore Industrial Avenue for $9.08m and a 4-bedroom flat at The Sovereign for S$7.7m.

Looking ahead, the market is expected to remain active in 2026, with potential increases in high-quantum listings as owners adjust their asset strategies amidst changing regulatory and market conditions.

FriedRice Entertainment, a Singapore-based live entertainment company, concluded 2025 with over 30 successful events across Asia, including K-Pop concerts and cultural showcases. The company aims to expand its reach in 2026, operating in eight countries: Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, and Australia. This expansion reflects its commitment to cultural exchange and audience connection.

FriedRice Experience (FRE-X), the company’s experiential arm, is set to deliver innovative experiences by collaborating with regional and global intellectual property (IP) owners. James Zou, CEO of FriedRice Entertainment, emphasised the company’s mission to create meaningful experiences that transcend borders and genres. “Our expansion into new markets reflects not just growth in geography, but growth in ambition,” he stated.

The 2026 calendar includes performances by South Korean acts QWER and 10CM in Singapore, Taiwanese singer-songwriter Eric Chou in Indonesia, and a fan convention by Mark Tuan in Bangkok. Additionally, FriedRice Entertainment will debut in Australia with shows featuring the original singers of Studio Ghibli soundtracks.

FRE-X is also expanding its immersive experiences, with the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Total Concentration Exhibition marking a significant milestone. The exhibition, spanning 21,000 square feet, immerses visitors in the anime’s iconic moments. “FRE-X is about turning stories into spaces,” said Zou, highlighting the company’s focus on creating environments where fans can interact and belong.

FriedRice Entertainment’s strategic growth aims to position it as a leading platform connecting Asian and international talent with audiences across the Asia-Pacific region.

The landed homes market in Singapore experienced a significant surge in Q4 2025, with 482 homes changing hands, marking a 7.6% increase from the previous quarter. The total transaction value for these homes reached $2.8b, a 6.7% rise compared to Q3 2025, according to Huttons Asia’s latest report.

This robust performance represents the highest quarterly sales volume and value since Q4 2021. Throughout 2025, a total of 1,801 landed homes were sold, a 14.4% increase from 2024. The average price per square foot (psf) for these homes rose by 7% year-on-year to $2,056.

Detached homes led the price increase, climbing 8.8% to $1,838 psf, followed by terrace homes at 8.2%, and semi-detached homes at 5.3%. The report attributes this growth to stronger-than-expected economic performance, a rising stock market, lower interest rates, and increasing prices of non-landed homes.

Looking ahead, the market for landed homes in 2026 is expected to be cautiously optimistic. The Monetary Authority of Singapore and the Ministry for Trade and Industry project GDP growth of 1% to 3%, lower than the 4.8% expansion in 2025. Whilst demand may spill over from the non-landed market, potential geopolitical tensions and tariff threats could introduce economic uncertainties. Overall, prices are anticipated to remain stable, though transaction volumes may slightly decrease.

Groundup.ai has announced the launch of Groundup Academy, a global educational initiative aimed at bridging the cognitive gap in Industry 5.0. The academy, introduced at the SMF Manufacturing Day Summit in Singapore, seeks to transform industrial workers from reactive roles into proactive AI Maestros, addressing the challenges posed by increasingly autonomous operations.

The academy is designed to tackle the “Hidden Tax” of unplanned downtime in critical sectors such as manufacturing, maritime, and infrastructure. By offering two specialised tracks—The Whisperer Track for engineers and The Strategist Track for leadership—the academy aims to upskill professionals to interpret machine data effectively, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and reducing costs.

Leon Lim, CEO and Founder of Groundup.ai, emphasised the importance of human expertise in the evolving industrial landscape. “Industry 5.0 belongs to those who can master the data without losing the human touch,” he stated. The academy’s mission is to alleviate fears of job displacement by empowering workers with AI skills, ensuring they remain indispensable in their roles.

Groundup Academy is accessible at no cost to the global industrial community, with participants earning professional certificates and digital skill badges. This initiative aligns with Groundup.ai’s #ZeroDowntime mission, aiming to build industrial resilience worldwide. Registration for the Pioneer Batch is now open, inviting professionals to advance their skills in the era of Industry 5.0.

JW Marriott Singapore South Beach has introduced the “Stay & Explore” package, offering travellers a seamless blend of luxury accommodation and city exploration. Available for booking until 31 August 2026, the package includes a minimum three-night stay, complimentary two-way airport transfers, and curated sightseeing experiences. Situated in the Marina Bay precinct, the hotel provides easy access to Singapore’s cultural landmarks and lifestyle attractions.

The package is designed to enhance convenience and discovery, allowing guests to explore Singapore with ease. It includes a pair of Discover Tickets for either the Hop-on, Hop-off Singapore Big Bus Tour or Singapore DUCKtours, with additional ticket fees for third persons onwards. Guests can unwind at the Flow18 Sky Garden, enjoying panoramic views and sunset-inspired cocktails.

Dining options within the hotel include modern Cantonese cuisine at Madame Fan, contemporary flavours at Akira Back Singapore, and international buffet favourites at Beach Road Kitchen. Evenings can be spent at Fish Pool, featuring Singapore’s only live mermaid show, or enjoying live jazz at Cool Cats.

JW Marriott Singapore South Beach, a design-led landmark, offers 634 guest rooms, including 47 suites, and is located near the Central Business District and key tourist attractions. The hotel aims to provide enriching experiences for both leisure and corporate travellers.

Managed hosting provider 20i has announced the launch of a new data centre in Singapore, marking a significant step in its international expansion. The facility, powered entirely by renewable energy, aims to meet the growing demand for high-performance digital infrastructure across the Asia-Pacific region. This strategic move allows 20i to offer its autoscaling cloud hosting services closer to users in countries such as India, Pakistan, and Australia.

The Singapore data centre is located within the Tier 3 Equinix facility, known for its high security and network density. This location ensures lower latency and improved performance for 20i’s range of hosting services, including Reseller Hosting, Managed WordPress Hosting, and Cloud Servers. The platform’s dynamic resource allocation maintains peak performance even during traffic surges, eliminating bottlenecks and ensuring fast, responsive services.

Lloyd Cobb, Director at 20i, stated, “The launch of our Singapore data centre is a major milestone in our mission to deliver world-class hosting experiences globally. We’re incredibly excited to bring our most advanced, high-performance hosting platform to Asia.”

The new facility not only enhances service delivery but also aligns with 20i’s sustainability goals. It meets ISO 27001 compliance and security standards, offering robust access controls and continuous environmental monitoring. This expansion is expected to improve Time to First Byte (TTFB), reduce bounce rates, and drive higher engagement for business-critical websites and ecommerce platforms in the region.

CapitaLand Ascott Trust (CLAS) has reported a distribution per Stapled Security (DPS) of 6.10 Singapore cents for the financial year ending 31 December 2025, reflecting its commitment to stable distributions. This announcement coincides with CLAS’s 20th anniversary, during which it achieved an 11% year-on-year increase in income available for distribution, totalling S$256.7m. The growth was attributed to enhanced operating performance, portfolio reconstitution, and higher non-periodic items.

The trust’s revenue and gross profit rose by 3% and 4% respectively, despite challenges such as foreign currency depreciation and property tax adjustments. CLAS’s revenue per available unit (REVPAU) increased by 3% year-on-year to S$161, with a notable 2% rise in the fourth quarter to S$180, driven by higher occupancy rates.

Chairman Lui Chong Chee highlighted CLAS’s disciplined growth strategy, stating, “Since the listing of CLAS on the Singapore Exchange two decades ago, CLAS has grown its distribution income at a compounded annual growth rate of about 12% and delivered a total return of more than 250% to Stapled Securityholders.”

Looking forward, CEO Serena Teo emphasised plans to enhance the portfolio’s resilience by strengthening market presence and recycling capital from divestments. CLAS aims to allocate 25%–30% of its portfolio to the living sector whilst maintaining 70%–75% in hospitality assets. Asset enhancement initiatives are planned in key cities such as London, Sydney, and New York to boost performance and value.

CLAS’s strategic focus on sustainable growth and disciplined management positions it well for future opportunities, with a strong financial footing and a commitment to excellence and sustainability.

Singapore enterprises are rapidly adopting artificial intelligence (AI), with 96% of organisations reporting some level of AI use, according to new research from Hitachi Vantara. However, the study reveals a significant gap in confidence regarding long-term returns, with only 23% of respondents rating their organisation as industry-leading in achieving return on investment (ROI) from AI.

The findings, part of the Hitachi Vantara State of Data Infrastructure 2025 Report, highlight that whilst nearly two-thirds of Singapore firms have seen early success with AI, many remain uncertain about sustaining these gains. This uncertainty is attributed to growing data complexity and security challenges that threaten to undermine long-term value.

The report surveyed over 1,200 C-level executives and senior IT leaders across 15 markets, including 51 respondents from Singapore. It underscores the strategic risks posed by data complexity, with 52% of Singapore respondents acknowledging that their data’s complexity makes it difficult to detect security breaches. Furthermore, 64% expressed concern that if leadership fully understood their data infrastructure’s fragility, it would be a significant worry.

Joe Ong, Vice President and General Manager for ASEAN at Hitachi Vantara, noted, “AI success is no longer about experimentation alone. It depends on whether data environments are resilient, governed, and trusted.”

As AI investment accelerates, the ability to simplify data environments and strengthen governance will be crucial for Singapore firms to transition from early success to sustained value. The research suggests that whilst AI adoption is high, addressing data complexity and security risks is essential to achieving long-term business value.