Industry News

Alibaba Cloud has announced the release of Qwen-SEA-LION-v4, a new large language model developed in collaboration with AI Singapore (AISG), aimed at improving multilingual performance across Southeast Asia. Built on Alibaba’s Qwen3-32B foundation model, this latest version addresses the linguistic and cultural needs of a region with over 1,200 languages, offering significant improvements in multilingual accuracy and cultural understanding.

Qwen-SEA-LION-v4 ranks first on the Southeast Asian Holistic Evaluation of Language Models (SEA-HELM) leaderboard for open-source models under 200 billion parameters. It is designed to run efficiently on consumer-grade laptops with 32GB of RAM, making it accessible for developers and enterprises. The model has been enhanced with over 100 billion Southeast Asian language tokens, improving its ability to interpret local expressions and conversational nuances.

Dr Leslie Teo, Senior Director of AI Products at AISG, stated, “Our collaboration with Alibaba on Qwen-SEA-LION-v4 is an important milestone in advancing AI inclusivity and to make it more representative of Southeast Asia.” Hon Keat Choong, General Manager of Singapore at Alibaba Cloud Intelligence, added, “We look forward to enabling more developers, enterprises, and public-sector partners to build applications that truly understand the languages and cultures of this region.”

The model introduces byte-pair encoding for efficient multilingual text processing and is available in 4-bit and 8-bit quantised versions, facilitating cost-effective deployment. Qwen-SEA-LION-v4 can be downloaded for free via the AISG website and Hugging Face, marking a significant step in making advanced AI more inclusive and locally relevant in Southeast Asia.

GDS Global Limited, a specialist in commercial and industrial door and shutter solutions, has announced a remarkable 70.6% increase in revenue, reaching S$22.79m for the financial year ending 30 September 2025. This growth, driven by increased sales from completed projects and export sales, marks a return to profitability for the company. The group’s gross profit also rose by 69.9% to S$7.52m, whilst net cash from operating activities turned positive at S$0.67m.

The company, headquartered in Singapore, attributes its financial recovery to strategic business development, cost management, and productivity enhancements. Non-Executive Non-Independent Chairman Tang Hee Sung commented, “We are pleased to have achieved a turnaround in our full year financial performance, marking an important milestone for the Group.”

GDS is now poised to explore new project opportunities both locally and internationally, leveraging its premium fire-insulated and blast-mitigating roller shutter solutions. With a healthy cash position of S$6.59m and no borrowings as of 30 September 2025, the company is well-positioned for sustainable growth.

Founded in 1982, GDS operates one of the largest manufacturing facilities in the industry and is known for its innovative solutions, including the world’s first blast-mitigating roller shutter door. As the company builds on its current momentum, it anticipates further growth in both local and overseas markets.

OrangeTee, a member of the Realion Group, has released its Private Residential & HDB Rental Market Outlook for 2026, predicting stable rental prices despite challenges from increased housing stock and a cautious hiring environment. The report anticipates private rental prices to hold steady with a 2% to 3% increase, whilst HDB rents are expected to grow modestly by 1% to 3%.

The private rental market is set to face competition due to a rise in condo completions, with 7,006 units expected to obtain their Temporary Occupation Period (TOP) in 2026, up from 5,249 in 2025. This increase is projected to continue, reaching 10,195 units by 2028. The Rest of Central Region (RCR) is expected to see the highest number of completions, followed by the Outside Central Region (OCR) and the Core Central Region (CCR).

In the HDB sector, the number of resale flats reaching their five-year minimum occupation period (MOP) is projected to more than double in 2026, potentially increasing the supply of flats available for lease. This could exert downward pressure on rents, although demand is expected to be bolstered by a rise in foreign employment in Singapore. The Ministry of Manpower reports a steady increase in employment pass holders, which is likely to support rental demand.

Overall, the report suggests that whilst the rental market will face challenges from increased supply, the demand from a growing non-resident population and foreign workers will help stabilise rental prices. OrangeTee’s outlook provides a comprehensive view of the factors influencing Singapore’s rental market in the coming years.

The Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SICCI) and the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) marked a significant milestone on 21 November 2025 by co-hosting the SG60 Deepavali Celebration at Suntec Singapore Convention Centre. The event, themed “Unity in Diversity, Strength in Business,” celebrated 60 years of partnership, bringing together over 500 business leaders and government representatives to discuss the future of Singapore’s economy.

The evening featured a fireside chat titled “Perspectives on Singapore’s Economy in the Next Era,” with Heng Swee Keat, Chairman of the National Research Foundation, as the special guest. The discussion focused on how innovation and collaboration will shape Singapore’s economic growth. President Tharman Shanmugaratnam officiated the launch of a commemorative publication that chronicles the evolution of Singapore’s business landscape.

Neil Parekh, SICCI Chairman, emphasised the importance of alliances in shaping Singapore’s enterprise landscape, stating, “For six decades, inclusivity and partnership have been the cornerstones of our nation’s progress.” Lennon Tan, SMF President, highlighted the collaboration’s role in harnessing national diversity, saying, “This partnership goes beyond our organisations. It is about leveraging our collective power to create opportunities for businesses.”

The event concluded with a gala dinner, celebrating Singapore’s multicultural harmony and providing a platform for cross-cultural dialogue and networking. The SG60 Deepavali Celebration underscored the enduring success of collaboration, diversity, and enterprise in Singapore’s economic narrative.

Foodpanda, a leading food and grocery delivery platform in Asia Pacific, has announced new partnerships with ride-hailing providers TADA, Bolt, and LINE GO. This collaboration aims to enhance the value of its pandapro membership by offering subscribers in Singapore, Malaysia, and Taiwan exclusive ride discounts and cross-platform perks. The initiative is part of a broader regional rollout, with more markets expected to follow.

The partnerships are designed to simplify and enrich everyday life for customers by integrating food and transportation services into a single membership. Giuseppe Randazzo, Chief International Officer of Foodpanda APAC, stated, “Pandapro is no longer just about food delivery; it’s about delivering convenience and maximising value wherever our customers go.”

Key benefits for pandapro members include exclusive ride discounts and up to six months of complimentary subscriptions for new users in select markets. The collaboration also aims to boost growth opportunities for Foodpanda’s merchant partners by increasing visibility and cross-platform reach. In Taiwan, pandapro merchants have already experienced a fourfold increase in orders, with membership engagement reaching record highs.

Foodpanda operates across 10 markets in Asia Pacific, including Singapore, Hong Kong SAR, and the Philippines. As a subsidiary of Delivery Hero, Foodpanda continues to spearhead the growth of quick commerce in the region. The new partnerships are expected to redefine convenience for millions of customers, whilst also supporting sustainable growth for local businesses.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has announced that it will issue licences to Global Energy Trading Pte Ltd, Golden Island Pte Ltd, and PetroChina International (Singapore) Pte Ltd to supply methanol as marine fuel in the Port of Singapore starting 1 January 2026. This initiative follows a Call for Applications launched in March 2025 and aims to position Singapore as a sustainable multi-fuel bunkering hub.

The selection of these three companies, from a pool of 13 applicants, was based on a rigorous evaluation process. The criteria included supply chain reliability, operational readiness, safety systems, and the sustainability certification of the methanol to be supplied. The strong interest in the licences underscores the maritime sector’s increasing focus on lower-emission marine fuels.

The licences will be valid for a five-year period, from 1 January 2026 to 31 December 2030, allowing the licensees to develop capabilities, strengthen supply chains, and make initial investments as the methanol bunkering market evolves. This timeframe is designed to support the early development of methanol bunkering infrastructure and operations.

MPA has committed to continuously reviewing the licensing framework to ensure it remains aligned with global standards and responsive to technological advancements and operational experiences. This approach aims to maintain Singapore’s competitive edge as a leading maritime hub.

RHB Singapore has unveiled its new Parkway Premier Centre at Parkway Parade, marking a significant expansion aimed at enhancing services for personal, priority, and business clients. The centre’s design, inspired by Peranakan traditions, combines modern banking with cultural heritage, offering a unique customer experience.

To commemorate the launch, RHB is offering clients who purchase insurance or investment products limited-edition Peranakan-themed collectibles. Additionally, from 21 to 25 November, clients can redeem a box of three Pandan Gula Melaka cupcakes and a beverage voucher at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf by showing their RHB SG Mobile Banking App login. This offer is limited to the first 300 customers, with a cap of 100 redemptions per day.

Coreen Kwan, Head of Retail Banking at RHB Singapore, stated, “The new Parkway Premier Centre reflects RHB’s commitment to delivering personalised, culturally connected banking experiences for all our clients, from everyday banking to wealth planning.”

RHB invites clients and visitors to explore the new centre at Parkway Parade, B1-83A. The Parkway Premier Centre aims to blend modern banking facilities with a strong sense of cultural heritage, creating a warm and welcoming environment. This expansion is part of RHB’s strategy to strengthen its position as a trusted bank within the community.

Global talent solutions firm Robert Walters has released its 2026 Salary Survey, revealing significant trends in Singapore’s job market. The survey indicates a challenging year ahead, with a persistent skills mismatch in AI, data, and cloud sectors. Companies are cautious with wage planning due to economic uncertainties, whilst candidates seek job offers that include flexibility and learning opportunities.

The survey highlights that 37% of employers plan to increase headcount, primarily by 5-10%, and 69% intend to offer at least a 3% salary increment for current employees in 2026. However, a gap exists between employer and employee expectations, with 83% of job-seeking professionals anticipating a pay rise of over 10%.

AI’s growing influence is evident, with 78% of businesses expecting up to half of their workforce to require reskilling due to AI advancements. Employers are prioritising skills such as critical thinking, data analysis, and adaptability. Concerns over AI adoption include job displacement and algorithmic bias.

Flexible workforce models are gaining traction, with 55% of companies hiring contractors for project-based needs. This approach helps firms remain agile amidst cost pressures and talent shortages. The survey underscores the importance of soft skills, with 65% of employers valuing interpersonal and communication abilities.

As Singapore navigates these changes, the demand for skilled professionals in AI, cloud, and cybersecurity remains high. The survey suggests that companies must adapt to these evolving dynamics to attract and retain talent effectively.

A rare opportunity has emerged for investors with the availability of a four-storey commercial shophouse on Joo Chiat Road, marketed by PropNex ShophouseHuat and Steward. This freehold property, located in the heart of the Katong–Joo Chiat conservation precinct, boasts a substantial land area of 5,690 square feet and offers significant potential for asset enhancement.

The property is zoned as Commercial GPR 3.0 under the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) Master Plan, and includes a backlane strip that could be amalgamated with neighbouring lots for integrated development, subject to planning approval. This amalgamation could increase the gross floor area (GFA) by approximately 790 square feet, enhancing the property’s value.

The shophouse is strategically positioned in a vibrant area known for its heritage and lifestyle appeal, which is expected to benefit from the URA’s Draft Master Plan 2025. This plan includes initiatives such as a conceptual pedestrian mall and the activation of back lanes, which are anticipated to boost footfall and retail trade in the area.

Loyalle Chin, Director of PropNex ShophouseHuat, highlighted the property’s appeal, stating, “With approximately 16,034 new homes coming onstream, we anticipate further regentrification in the Joo Chiat precinct, attracting a deeper pool of reputable lifestyle and F&B operators.”

The asking price for 182 Joo Chiat Road starts at $10.6m (S$14.5m), with eligibility for purchase extended to foreigners and corporate entities without the imposition of Additional Buyer Stamp Duty. This offering presents a compelling investment opportunity in a rapidly evolving district.

Cathay United Bank Singapore Branch has made history by becoming the first Taiwanese bank to launch corporate bond offerings in Singapore. This significant development, announced in November 2025, underscores the bank’s strategic focus on enhancing its corporate banking services amidst the evolving global business landscape.

The introduction of corporate bond offerings by Cathay United Bank (CUB) comes as Taiwanese and multinational companies increasingly expand into Southeast Asia, driven by geopolitical shifts and realigned supply chains. Singapore’s political stability, transparent legal framework, and open capital markets have positioned it as a key hub under Taiwan’s New Southbound Policy. In 2024, Taiwanese investments in Singapore reached a record $5.8b, accounting for 12% of Taiwan’s total outbound investment.

Winfield Wong, Chief Executive of Cathay United Bank Singapore Branch, highlighted the growing demand for liquidity management tools and digitalised financial services. “Corporations are no longer simply opening offshore accounts; many are setting up investment holding entities or payment centres to enhance capital efficiency,” Wong stated. The new corporate bond services aim to support clients in hedging liquidity planning and operational optimisation.

Cathay Financial Holdings, the parent company of CUB, boasts over 60 years of experience in Asia, with 969 business locations and more than $400b in assets under management. Since its establishment in Singapore in 2009, CUB has provided tailored financial solutions to meet the diverse needs of corporate and private banking clients.

Looking ahead, Cathay United Bank remains committed to supporting Taiwanese businesses in their global expansion efforts, helping clients navigate market challenges and seize new opportunities.