Industry News

Singapore Management University has announced the launch of the Longevity Societies and Economies Institute (LSEI) to tackle the economic and societal shifts brought about by an ageing population. Unveiled on 14 April at the World Ageing Festival 2026, the institute aims to consolidate SMU’s existing ageing-related research and drive interdisciplinary efforts to create resilient societies and economies.

The LSEI will focus on two main research pillars: Building Longevity Economies and Cultivating Holistic Wellbeing. These pillars will explore how labour markets, retirement systems, and fiscal frameworks can adapt to ageing populations, as well as how preventive health behaviours and social participation can shape ageing outcomes. SMU has committed over S$10m to support the institute’s initiatives.

Interim Co-Director Dr Cheong Wei Yang emphasised the importance of viewing ageing not just as a cost but as an opportunity for economic and social growth. “Through LSEI, SMU is taking a more strategic approach to understand these shifts and work with partners to translate research into innovative solutions,” he said.

The institute will also collaborate with government and private sector stakeholders, including the Agency for Integrated Care and Workforce Singapore, to strengthen policy-practice integration. SMU President Professor Lily Kong highlighted the need for systems to evolve with longer lifespans, noting that the traditional “learn, earn, retire” model no longer fits modern realities. The LSEI aims to bridge this gap, ensuring that individuals remain engaged and productive throughout their extended lifespans.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and the Singapore Shipping Association (SSA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in Singapore’s maritime sector. This initiative aims to enhance productivity and competitiveness across various maritime operations.

Under the MOU, MPA and SSA will assist maritime companies in integrating AI into key functions such as ship agency, management, chartering, and bunkering operations. Companies will have access to a comprehensive knowledge base of maritime AI use cases, enabling them to connect with solution providers and pilot AI applications within their operations. Additionally, the AI Readiness Index (AIRI) framework by AI Singapore will guide companies in assessing their AI maturity.

To facilitate this transition, MPA and SSA will collaborate with Institutes of Higher Learning and service providers to develop training programmes. These programmes are designed to equip employees with the necessary skills for evolving job roles. SSA has already initiated AI training with 21 companies and plans a full rollout later in 2026.

The partnership will also see the organisation of industry engagements, including the Maritime AI Forum in the second half of 2026. This forum aims to raise AI awareness and showcase real-world applications. MPA Chief Executive Ang Wee Keong emphasised the importance of AI in enhancing maritime operations, stating, “Artificial intelligence will increasingly shape how maritime operations are planned and executed.”

SSA President TS Teo highlighted the transformative potential of AI, noting, “AI is reshaping industries, and our maritime sector must move decisively to forge ahead.” This partnership is set to position Singapore’s maritime industry at the forefront of AI innovation, ensuring its continued competitiveness on the global stage.

StashAway has unveiled its Regular Investing Advantage, a new initiative providing lifetime benefits for regular investors without a minimum investment requirement. This move aims to encourage consistent investing amidst market volatility, which often challenges investor discipline.

The Regular Investing Advantage offers two key benefits: an additional 0.15% per annum return on cash for those investing in a diversified portfolio, and unlimited free buy orders on over 90 expert-selected exchange-traded funds (ETFs). These incentives are designed to reward and reinforce consistent investment habits, helping investors avoid the pitfalls of emotional decision-making during market fluctuations.

Michele Ferrario, Co-founder and CEO of StashAway, emphasised the importance of regular investing, stating, “Investing like clockwork isn’t exciting – but it’s the surest way to build serious wealth. Invest every month, stay invested, and let time compound your returns. That’s the strategy. The data proves it.”

The initiative is not a limited-time offer but a permanent commitment from StashAway to support regular investing. By investing through market volatility, investors can capture long-term returns, as historical data shows that the best market days often follow the worst ones.

StashAway’s platform offers a comprehensive suite of investment solutions, including cash management, expert-built portfolios, and DIY ETF investing. This integrated approach aims to make consistent investing easier by providing clear insights and personalised guidance, allowing clients to automate their investments and focus on long-term goals. For more details, visit stashaway.sg/regular-investing-advantage.

Ascentium, a Singapore-based global business services platform, has acquired Dezan Shira & Associates, a professional services firm with over 30 years of experience in Asia. This strategic acquisition expands Ascentium’s operations to 27 markets, including new locations such as Mongolia, Poland, Germany, and Italy, enhancing its ability to support cross-border investments and multi-jurisdictional operations.

The acquisition strengthens Ascentium’s presence across the Chinese mainland, adding offices in Suzhou, Tianjin, and Zhongshan, bringing the total to 15 locations. This expansion allows Ascentium to better serve foreign investors entering or scaling in the Chinese market. The integration of Dezan Shira’s expertise in regulatory analysis, business intelligence, and tax advisory complements Ascentium’s existing services, creating a comprehensive platform for clients from market entry to long-term growth.

Dezan Shira’s Asia Briefing, a business intelligence and research arm, is also part of the acquisition. It provides insights on market entry, compliance, and regulatory developments, enhancing Ascentium’s advisory capabilities. Alberto Vettoretti, Managing Partner of Dezan Shira, expressed enthusiasm about the merger, stating it marks “an exciting new chapter” for the firm.

Lennard Yong, CEO of Ascentium, highlighted the acquisition’s role in creating a “fully connected advisory platform across Asia and beyond,” enabling the company to guide businesses through expansion stages. This move positions Ascentium as a leading advisory platform supporting foreign investment in Asia.

The iEdge Singapore Next 50 Liquidity Weighted Index has outperformed the Straits Times Index (STI) with a 9.7% total return in 2026 through to 16 April, compared to STI’s 8.9%. This performance highlights the growing influence of technology stocks within the index. UMS Integration and iFAST Corporation, leading the technology sector, have weights of 5.6% and 5.0%, respectively, contributing to technology’s 19% share of the index.

The index’s 50 constituents have seen a 43% increase in average daily turnover, reaching S$275m, and a rise in median price-to-book ratio from 1.05x to 1.23x. This liquidity-driven approach contrasts with traditional market capitalisation methods, allowing stocks with consistent trading activity to hold greater index weight.

UMS Integration exemplifies this trend, with its weight in the liquidity index at 5.6%, compared to 2.4% in the market capitalisation index. This reflects its sustained traded value and participation, particularly in the AI-driven semiconductor sector, where it has invested over S$155m in recent years.

The index’s composition, weighted by six-month median traded value, showcases where market attention is concentrated, rather than just company size. As technology and digital infrastructure sectors grow, they are increasingly shaping the liquidity landscape, alongside traditional real estate investment trusts (REITs). This shift underscores the evolving dynamics of Singapore’s mid-cap market.

Sanofi and DKSH have announced a strategic partnership to improve access to cardiovascular treatments in Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, and diabetes treatments in Singapore and Thailand. This collaboration combines Sanofi’s scientific expertise with DKSH’s regional commercial capabilities to address the growing burden of chronic diseases in Southeast Asia.

The partnership comes as healthcare systems in the ASEAN region face challenges from ageing populations and increasing demand for quality care. Cardiovascular disease and diabetes are among the most prevalent non-communicable diseases in the area. By leveraging DKSH’s end-to-end services, the collaboration aims to provide integrated, value-driven healthcare solutions tailored to local needs.

Eric Mansion, General Manager Pharma Southeast Asia and India at Sanofi, stated, “This partnership with DKSH is a meaningful step in strengthening how we serve patients. With DKSH’s proven healthcare expertise and strong commercial capabilities in Southeast Asia, we can broaden access to established treatments, enhance the experience for healthcare professionals and patients, and stay agile as market needs evolve.”

Patrik Grande, Global Head of Business Unit Healthcare at DKSH, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting DKSH’s capabilities in customer insights and omni-channel engagement. “Through this collaboration, we aim to help improve access to treatment as part of our mission to deliver better healthcare for all,” he said.

The collaboration is set to ensure continuity of care, strengthen stakeholder partnerships, and support sustainable healthcare outcomes across the region, reflecting a shared commitment to patient-centric care.

OCBC, Lion Global Investors, and DigiFT have launched Southeast Asia’s first on-chain tokenised physical gold fund, the OCBC-LionGlobal Physical Gold Fund Token (GOLDX token). Available on the Ethereum and Solana blockchains, the fund allows institutional and corporate accredited investors to subscribe using stablecoins or fiat currencies, with tokens delivered directly to blockchain wallets.

The GOLDX token operates within a regulated environment, backed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)-regulated entities, ensuring strong governance and risk management. This initiative provides investors with exposure to the LionGlobal Singapore Physical Gold Fund, which has seen significant growth, managing S$669.4m (US$525.9m) in assets as of 16 April 2026.

OCBC led the structuring of the GOLDX token, collaborating with DigiFT for tokenisation and distribution, whilst Lion Global Investors managed the investment framework. The token is expected to attract demand from Web3 participants, including family offices and high-net-worth individuals, who hold substantial capital in stablecoins.

Kenneth Lai, Head of Global Markets at OCBC, highlighted the strategic importance of this launch, stating, “We believe digital assets will play an increasingly important role in financial services.” Teo Joo Wah, CEO of Lion Global Investors, emphasised the fund’s robust governance, whilst Henry Zhang, CEO of DigiFT, noted the advancement in accessing gold through a regulated digital format.

This development aligns with Singapore’s ambition to be a hub for digital asset activities, enhancing efficiency and economic value.

CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust (CICT), Singapore’s largest commercial real estate investment trust, has announced the divestment of Asia Square Tower 2 for S$2.5b and the acquisition of Paragon, a premier freehold integrated development on Orchard Road, for S$3.9b. The acquisition is expected to yield a 3.9% entry return and is partially funded by the capital from the strategic divestment of Asia Square Tower 2, which had an exit yield of 3.0%.

The acquisition of Paragon is anticipated to enhance CICT’s portfolio, delivering a 2.1% increase in distribution per unit (DPU). Paragon, comprising retail, office, and medical suites, is expected to bolster CICT’s position in Singapore’s commercial real estate market. The CEO of CICT’s manager, Tan Choon Siang, highlighted Paragon’s strategic location and its potential to sustain strong occupancy rates, driven by factors such as an ageing population and rising medical tourism.

The divestment of Asia Square Tower 2, sold to IOI Marina View Pte. Ltd., represents a 9.9% premium over its market valuation as of December 2025. This move allows CICT to redeploy capital into Paragon, maintaining a prudent aggregate leverage of 39.2%, well below the regulatory limit of 50%.

The acquisition, subject to unitholder approval, aims to reinforce CICT’s market leadership and enhance income resilience. The transaction is expected to be completed in the second half of 2026, with further details to be provided at an upcoming extraordinary general meeting.

Singapore’s Executive Condominium (EC) market reached a new milestone in March 2026, with sales surpassing the S$2m mark, according to Realion (OrangeTee & ETC) Group. The surge follows a significant rebound in new sales transactions post-Lunar New Year, with three new projects launched, including an EC in Tampines.

Data from the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) revealed that new private home sales, excluding ECs, soared by 428.5% from February to March, reaching 1,300 units. Year-on-year, this marks a 78.3% increase from March 2025. Including ECs, total new home sales jumped 628.2% month-on-month to 1,937 units.

The EC market saw 275 units sold for at least S$2m, setting a monthly record. The Rivelle Tampines project was a significant contributor, with 530 of its units sold. “Rivelle Tampines drew strong interest from first-time homebuyers and HDB upgraders,” noted Christine Sun, Chief Researcher & Strategist at Realion.

March’s sales were bolstered by the launch of Rivelle Tampines, River Modern, and Pinery Residences. Pinery Residences emerged as the best-selling project with 543 units sold. River Modern also performed well, selling 416 units due to its prime location in the Core Central Region.

Looking ahead, the suburban market is expected to see more activity in April with the launch of Vela Bay and Tengah Garden Residences. Despite geopolitical tensions, demand remains robust, supported by low interest rates and strong employment. Investors continue to show interest in luxury properties, viewing Singapore as a “safe haven” for wealth preservation.

Amber Group, a leader in digital assets, has unveiled its strategic vision for the future of financial services at the Ethereum Community Conference (ETHCC). The company is pioneering a shift from traditional fintech interfaces to an AI-driven “Agent Economy,” where financial services are delivered through autonomous systems rather than standalone platforms.

This transformation is driven by the evolution of artificial intelligence from simple chatbots to sophisticated workflow engines capable of executing comprehensive financial tasks. Michael Wu, Co-Founder and CEO of Amber Group, stated, “We are moving from an interface economy to a workflow economy where personalisation is the standard and code is cheap.”

Amber Group is developing agent-native operating systems designed to autonomously coordinate user intent, liquidity, and execution, similar to how cloud services simplified web server complexities. This innovation positions Amber Group as a key player in bridging traditional finance with blockchain advancements.

The company’s active participation at ETHCC highlights its commitment to collaborating with European builders and policymakers to establish standards for this new financial era. By deploying these agent-native systems, Amber Group aims to solidify its role as a gateway between traditional finance and blockchain innovation.

Headquartered in Singapore, Amber Group offers a range of services including wealth management, asset management, and market making. The firm leverages AI, blockchain, and quantitative research to deliver tailored solutions to a diverse global clientele, optimising returns across various market conditions.