Industry News

Dezign Format, a leader in immersive design solutions, is on a robust growth trajectory with an order book valued at approximately S$26.6m as of 31 August 2025. The company has successfully launched its immersive virtual reality attraction, “The Element Code 305,” in Kuala Lumpur and Ho Chi Minh City, marking significant milestones in its regional expansion.

The company has secured high-profile client engagements across various sectors, including luxury automotive, premium timepieces, integrated resort décor, and commemorative exhibitions. Notably, Dezign Format is involved in Singapore’s 60th anniversary showcase, highlighting its capability to handle prestigious projects.

In a strategic move, Dezign Format has signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with Hustle & Bustle, establishing itself as an official partner for upcoming projects. This partnership is expected to enhance the company’s market presence and project pipeline.

Further expanding its regional footprint, Dezign Format has accelerated its entry into the Thai market by participating in the Thailand MICE X-Change. Additionally, the company is set to open a new production facility in Johor, Malaysia, by the fourth quarter of 2025, which will bolster its production capabilities.

Chairman and CEO Mike Chong stated, “Our recent achievements are a testament to the team’s relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation. The strategic partnerships and our new facility in Malaysia will further enhance our capabilities, allowing us to capture exciting new opportunities across the region.”

With these developments, Dezign Format is poised to deliver sustained value to its stakeholders, leveraging its innovative approach and strategic partnerships to drive future growth.

Singapore Management University (SMU) and Babes Pregnancy Crisis Support Ltd have announced a collaboration to develop Level Up: #Adulting, Singapore’s first gamified wellness platform for youth. This innovative platform, built on Amazon Web Services (AWS) infrastructure, is designed to engage young people through interactive experiences, focusing on mental wellness, family planning, and self-care.

The platform will be co-created through SMU’s ‘Transformative Leadership’ course, starting January 2026. This course, part of SMU’s experiential learning initiative, allows students to tackle real-world challenges under the guidance of faculty and industry experts. SMU students will handle the platform’s content and technical development, whilst Babes will provide insights to ensure the content is relevant and authentic. AWS will offer cloud infrastructure and technical expertise to ensure the platform is scalable and secure.

Set to launch in early 2026, Level Up: #Adulting aims to help youths make informed choices and build resilience. The initiative seeks to expand its impact through partnerships with community organisations and corporate sponsors.

SMU Provost Alan Chan emphasised the importance of bridging education with social innovation, whilst Babes’ Executive Director Melisa Wong highlighted the collaboration’s goal of creating a supportive space for youth. The platform represents a significant step in empowering young people to navigate adulthood effectively.

Etiqa Insurance Singapore has announced a charity pledge linked to the launch of its latest Takaful products, including the new Shariah-compliant investment-linked plan, Invest purpose. For each policy sold, Etiqa will donate 0.1% of the first-year regular premiums from new Family Takaful products launched after 1 August 2025 to the Community Chest of Singapore. This initiative aims to align financial growth with personal values, reflecting Etiqa’s commitment to societal impact and the Takaful principle of mutual support.

The launch of Invest purpose is part of Etiqa’s strategic expansion of its values-based insurance portfolio, following the reintroduction of Takaful to the Singapore market in January 2025. Raymond Ong, CEO of Etiqa Insurance Singapore, stated, “Today’s consumers are increasingly seeking to align their investments with their personal values—demanding products that deliver not only financial returns, but also a sense of purpose and social responsibility.”

Invest purpose offers several key benefits, including Takaful coverage for death and terminal illness, flexible premium terms, and the ability to pause premiums without fees. Policyholders can also make two free partial withdrawals from the fourth year of their policy and have the option to establish a Wakaf, a charitable endowment, to support meaningful causes.

The initiative underscores Etiqa’s dedication to providing insurance solutions that cater to ethical, social, and personal concerns, offering a pathway to purposeful wealth creation for a new generation of conscious investors.

Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking (Natixis CIB) has announced a significant expansion of its Global Markets team in the Asia Pacific region, introducing several strategic hires to bolster its regional strategy and global ambitions. The appointments aim to enhance the bank’s macro capabilities and accelerate its growth in China.

Vishal Shah has taken on a newly created role as Head of Emerging Markets Linear Interest Rates and Foreign Exchange Trading, Asia Pacific. Based in Hong Kong, Shah will develop Natixis CIB’s macro trading strategy for emerging markets in the region. With 19 years of trading experience, he previously led the EM, FX, and Latin America Trading at Natixis CIB’s New York office.

In Hong Kong, Michael Rothlin has been appointed Head of APAC G10 Linear Rates and FX Trading. Rothlin, who brings over 20 years of trading experience, will drive the bank’s Linear Macro Flow strategy. Meanwhile, in Singapore, Theresa Ang has been named Executive Director, Macro Sales, Rates and FX, to spearhead macro flows development with financial institutions in South East Asia.

Natixis CIB is also expanding its presence in China, appointing Liyuan Xiao as Head of Global Markets, China. Based in Shanghai, Xiao will focus on increasing market activities amidst rising opportunities with Chinese corporates and financial institutions. Additionally, Terry Zhang has been appointed Head of China Financial Institutions Sales, based in Hong Kong.

The bank is also accelerating its Equity Derivatives business with the appointment of Emile Tran as Executive Director, Equity Financial Engineering, Asia Pacific. These strategic hires are expected to diversify and strengthen Natixis CIB’s Global Markets team, particularly in China, where demand is increasing.

Singapore has strengthened its air connectivity by upgrading its Air Services Agreements (ASAs) with Argentina and Türkiye. The agreements, signed on 25 September 2025 in Montreal, Canada, by Han Kok Juan, Director-General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), alongside counterparts from Argentina and Türkiye, aim to facilitate air travel and enhance bilateral relations.

The ASA with Argentina, initially signed in 1997, has been upgraded to an Open Skies Agreement (OSA). This allows designated airlines from both countries to operate passenger and cargo services without restrictions on frequency, capacity, routing, and aircraft type. Previously, airlines faced routing limitations beyond Singapore and Argentine points. This OSA represents a significant milestone in the bilateral relationship between the two nations.

Meanwhile, the ASA with Türkiye, last updated in 2014, has been expanded to permit up to 17 weekly passenger services and four weekly all-cargo services between Singapore and Türkiye. Currently, Singapore Airlines and Turkish Airlines operate a combined total of 18 weekly non-stop passenger services between Singapore and Istanbul.

Han Kok Juan commented, “The upgrading of Singapore’s air service agreements with Argentina and Türkiye are an expression of our shared desire to better connect with each other and to bring our people and businesses even closer together.”

Singapore has signed ASAs with over 140 countries and territories, with more than 80 being OSAs. These agreements are expected to open new travel options and foster strategic airline partnerships.

CGS International Securities Pte. Ltd. has announced the appointment of Phua Zhenghao as Group Head of Investments and Grace Yan as Senior Portfolio Manager, bolstering its Asset Management team. Phua, with over 15 years of experience, will lead the firm’s public markets investment strategies, having previously managed S$40b in multi-asset insurance portfolios at Income Insurance. Yan, recognised for her expertise in Asian equities, joins from Nikko Asset Management, where she led award-winning funds.

Phua’s role will involve overseeing investment strategies and ensuring alignment with CGS International’s broader business objectives. His experience in global asset allocation and risk management is expected to enhance the firm’s public markets platform. “Zhenghao’s analytical depth and strategic foresight will be instrumental in scaling our investment capabilities,” said James Ong, Group Head of Asset Management.

Yan brings 17 years of experience in Asian equities, particularly in small- and mid-cap sectors. Her stock-picking skills have earned her multiple awards, and she will focus on advancing CGS International’s equity and thematic strategies. Her approach is expected to deliver differentiated growth opportunities across Asia.

The appointments reflect CGS International’s commitment to strengthening its senior investment team and enhancing long-term value for clients. The firm, alongside its parent company China Galaxy Securities, serves nearly 18 million customers globally, offering a wide range of financial services across 15 countries.

Frasers Hospitality has announced the signing of Fraser Residence BKK1, Phnom Penh, marking the debut of its signature serviced flat brand in Cambodia. Scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2026, the residence will be located in Phnom Penh’s bustling central business district, offering 83 units ranging from studios to two-bedroom flats.

The development is designed to cater to business travellers, expatriates, and long-stay guests, featuring a range of lifestyle and wellness amenities. These include a full-service restaurant, an exclusive lounge, a state-of-the-art gym, a sauna and steam room, a yoga studio, and a children’s playground.

This expansion underscores Frasers Hospitality’s commitment to the Cambodian market, which is experiencing sustained economic growth and an increasing demand for premium accommodation. The new residence aims to offer luxury, innovation, and elevated urban living tailored to the needs of global travellers.

Frasers Hospitality, a strategic business unit of Frasers Property Limited, operates over 100 lodging assets worldwide. The company is recognised for its commitment to hospitality excellence and innovation, providing memorable experiences for guests and residents.

Singaporean tech firms have captured the lion’s share of Southeast Asia’s tech funding, accounting for 88% of the $2.6b raised in the first nine months of 2025, according to Tracxn’s latest report. This dominance comes amid a 7% drop in overall regional funding compared to the same period in 2024, and a significant 58% decrease from 2023.

The report highlights that whilst the overall funding environment has cooled, late-stage investments have shown resilience, with funding in this category more than doubling to $1.8b compared to $831m in 2024. Key sectors driving investment include Enterprise Applications, Enterprise Infrastructure, and FinTech, with the latter seeing a notable $839m in funding despite a decline from previous years.

Noteworthy funding rounds in 2025 include Digital Edge’s $640m Series D and MiniMax’s $300m Series D. However, the creation of new unicorns has slowed, with only one emerging this year compared to two in 2024.

Acquisitions have also declined, with 42 deals recorded, a 31% drop from the previous year. The largest acquisition was NinjaOne’s $270m purchase of Dropsuite. Meanwhile, IPO activity has surged, with 12 companies going public, including The GrowHub and Nusatrip.

The report underscores Singapore’s pivotal role in the region’s tech ecosystem, supported by major investors like East Ventures and 500 Global. As the funding landscape evolves, Singapore’s tech firms continue to lead, shaping the future of Southeast Asia’s tech industry.

The Responsible Fintech Institute (RFI), a newly established global nonprofit based in Singapore, has officially launched with the mission to integrate traditional and decentralised financial systems. Announced at the Digital Assets Summit 2025, RFI signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Digital Assets Association to formalise their collaboration.

RFI’s founding members include Bison Group, OKG Technology, Remi Technology, VerifyVASP, and SlowMist. This coalition aims to develop digital utilities and foster collaboration among financial institutions, regulators, technology firms, and academia. “We are proud to stand with our founding members who share our vision for a more responsible and secure digital financial future,” said Chia Hock Lai, Chairman of RFI.

The institute’s first major initiative, the Verified Identity Trust Alliance (VITA), will help companies verify customer identities and comply with regulations such as Know Your Customer (KYC). VITA aims to increase trust and safety by providing a shared stamp of approval for digital wallets, reducing redundant checks, and protecting user privacy.

Bison Bank’s Chairman, Bian Fang, emphasised the importance of leveraging technology for a secure financial system, whilst OKG Technology’s CEO, Jeffery Ren, highlighted the need to balance innovation with responsibility. Remi Technology’s CEO, Sam Su, and VerifyVASP’s CEO, Shihyun Chia, also expressed their commitment to establishing standards and safeguards for digital finance.

RFI is poised to play a central role in shaping the future of finance, ensuring that digital innovation is built on trust and accountability.

Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Centre Singapore (HMGICS) is celebrating its first year of community engagement by launching new initiatives aimed at empowering young people and promoting sustainability in Singapore and the ASEAN region. The centre has announced partnerships with OceanX and Temasek Foundation to provide immersive educational experiences and foster youth development.

HMGICS’s collaboration with OceanX will offer Singaporean students hands-on experiences in ocean exploration, robotics, and sustainable mobility. The partnership kicked off with a learning day on 25 September, where students explored the OceanXplorer vessel and participated in workshops at HMGICS. OceanX will also join the HMGICS Annual Hackathon in 2026, contributing a robotics-based challenge and mentorship.

In addition, HMGICS has signed a memorandum of understanding with Temasek Foundation to support the 2025 Temasek Foundation Specialists’ Community Action and Leadership Exchange (SCALE) programme. This initiative will host 240 students from Singapore and ASEAN countries for immersive learning journeys at HMGICS, focusing on advanced manufacturing and sustainability.

Since its inception in 2023, HMGICS has played a crucial role in Hyundai’s transition to a smart mobility provider, integrating production, research and development, and customer experience. The centre’s initiatives align with Singapore’s vision for a sustainable, innovation-driven economy, aiming to nurture local talent and support economic transformation.

HMGICS continues to drive sustainable progress through its commitment to education, innovation, and community engagement, equipping the next generation with the skills to lead future industries.