Industry News

Amazon Singapore has expanded its Amazon Fresh service to include a wide range of authentic French and premium grocery products. This expansion, announced today, introduces over 400 new items from Carrefour, Le Petit Depot, and Huber’s Butchery, making French culinary delights more accessible to Singaporean customers.

The new selection features a variety of French pantry staples, premium wines, artisanal delicacies, and high-quality meats. Alex Hough, Category Leader at Amazon Fresh Singapore, expressed enthusiasm about the launch, stating, “We’re excited to bring customers in Singapore a wider selection of authentic French groceries and premium meats with the convenience and reliability they’ve come to expect from Amazon.”

Carrefour contributes over 150 products, including chilled and frozen specialities, organic options, and personal care items. Le Petit Depot adds more than 200 products, showcasing French gastronomy with items like LU Prince Chocolate Biscuits and gourmet champagnes. Huber’s Butchery offers over 100 premium meat products, including marbled Angus Beef Ribeye Steak and Chicken Harissa Sausages.

To celebrate the launch, Amazon Singapore is offering a 15% discount on any three items from the French selection, as well as a complimentary bamboo cutting board with a minimum spend of $58 (S$80). These promotions are available throughout September.

This expansion not only enhances Amazon Fresh’s offerings but also strengthens the presence of French culinary products in Singapore, providing customers with greater variety and convenience.

The Singapore FinTech Festival (SFF) 2025, celebrating its 10th anniversary, is set to take place from 12 to 14 November at the Singapore EXPO. Organised by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), and Constellar, the event will bring together over a thousand global leaders in finance, technology, and policy. The focus will be on how Artificial Intelligence (AI), Tokenisation, and Quantum Computing can enhance the global financial system.

The festival, which attracted 65,000 participants from 134 countries last year, will feature keynotes, panels, and roundtables. Notable speakers include Dr Roy Fielding, Nandan Nilekani, and Dr Paul Taylor, who have significantly influenced the financial sector’s digital transformation. The event will also highlight insights from over 20 visionary founders from Singapore and Asia.

SFF 2025 will delve into the transformative potential of AI, Tokenisation, and Quantum Computing through over 70 focused sessions. Discussions will cover AI’s impact on risk management and financial inclusion, Tokenisation’s role in capital markets, and the evolution of cybersecurity in light of Quantum Computing advances.

Kenneth Gay, Chief FinTech Officer of MAS, emphasised the festival’s role in bridging financial services and technology over the past decade. Sopnendu Mohanty, CEO of GFTN, highlighted the event’s importance in addressing global finance gaps and fostering inclusive infrastructure.

Registration for SFF 2025 is now open, with complimentary tickets available for select groups. The festival promises to be a pivotal platform for innovation and collaboration in the financial sector.

DBS, Franklin Templeton, and Ripple have announced a partnership to offer accredited and institutional investors innovative trading and lending solutions. This initiative, powered by tokenised money market funds and Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin, aims to enhance portfolio management for digital asset investors. The collaboration was formalised with a memorandum of understanding signed on 18 September 2025.

The partnership allows DBS Digital Exchange clients to trade RLUSD for sgBENJI tokens, Franklin Templeton’s tokenised money market fund. This enables investors to rebalance their portfolios into a stable asset whilst earning yield, even during volatile market conditions. Additionally, DBS plans to explore using sgBENJI tokens as collateral for obtaining credit, either through the bank or third-party platforms.

Franklin Templeton will tokenise sgBENJI on the XRP Ledger, a blockchain known for its speed and low transaction costs. This move aims to strengthen the tokenisation ecosystem by enhancing interoperability across different blockchain networks. Lim Wee Kian, CEO of DBS Digital Exchange, stated, “This partnership demonstrates how tokenised securities can inject greater efficiency and liquidity in global financial markets.”

Roger Bayston, Head of Digital Assets at Franklin Templeton, expressed excitement about the collaboration, highlighting its potential to reshape the global financial ecosystem. Nigel Khakoo, VP at Ripple, described the initiative as a “game-changer” for enabling repo trades with a regulated, stable mode of exchange.

Investors are advised to assess their risk appetite and financial situation before engaging in cryptocurrency trading.

Trip.com has announced a strategic partnership with Traveloka, a prominent travel provider in Southeast Asia, to broaden access to attraction and tour (A&T) products across the region. This collaboration aims to combine Traveloka’s extensive inventory of experiences in Southeast Asia with Trip.com’s robust presence in China, creating a comprehensive network of attractions.

The partnership will enable both companies to share their inventory, enhancing product availability and offering customers a wider choice of authentic local experiences at competitive prices. Traveloka will provide Trip.com users with access to its vast portfolio of Southeast Asian experiences, whilst Trip.com will offer Traveloka users access to its global network of attractions, particularly in China.

Jim Ji, CEO of Attractions & Tours and Vice President at Trip.com Group, stated, “This partnership reflects Trip.com’s commitment to provide travellers with greater choice and convenience, enriching the travel experience for millions of users in Asia and around the world.”

Baidi Li, Vice President Commercial at Traveloka, added, “Through our partnership with Trip.com, we’re putting travellers first—offering them seamless access to a curated selection of exciting attractions, authentic local experiences, best-in-class services, and the confidence that comes with trusted recommendations.”

This agreement marks a significant step in Trip.com’s ongoing efforts to strengthen partnerships across Asia, ensuring travellers have seamless access to a variety of bookable experiences that enhance their journeys.

H2G Green Limited’s subsidiary, GasHub, has successfully commissioned a significant liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility designed to supply a leading food and beverage (F&B) manufacturer. This development marks a pivotal step in enhancing energy efficiency and sustainability within the F&B sector. The facility, which began operations recently, aims to provide a cleaner energy alternative, reducing the carbon footprint of the manufacturing process.

The newly commissioned LNG facility is expected to play a crucial role in the manufacturer’s operations by offering a more sustainable energy source. This aligns with the growing industry trend towards adopting greener technologies and reducing reliance on traditional fossil fuels. The facility’s launch underscores GasHub’s commitment to advancing environmental sustainability in industrial processes.

The introduction of this LNG facility is anticipated to set a precedent for other manufacturers in the region, encouraging the adoption of similar sustainable practices. As industries continue to seek ways to minimise their environmental impact, the role of LNG as a cleaner energy alternative is likely to expand.

Looking ahead, H2G Green Limited plans to explore further opportunities to enhance its green technology offerings, potentially expanding its reach to other sectors in need of sustainable energy solutions.

QAI Ventures, a global venture capital firm, has announced the establishment of its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Singapore, marking it as the nation’s first QuantumAI-focused venture capital firm. In collaboration with Enterprise Singapore, this initiative aims to transform Singapore into a global hub for QuantumAI innovation by accelerating the commercialisation of quantum research into market-ready solutions.

The launch of QAI Ventures in Singapore is a strategic move to leverage the country’s strengths, including visionary government support, a robust talent and intellectual property pipeline, and access to Asia’s high-growth markets. This aligns with Singapore’s National Quantum Strategy, which is backed by nearly S$300 million in funding. The firm has a track record of investing in 27 pioneering companies across Europe and North America and plans to expand its portfolio with a CHF 50m early-stage fund and a $150m growth-stage fund.

QAI Ventures will introduce two flagship programmes in partnership with Enterprise Singapore: a 5-month QuantumAI Accelerator Programme and a Venture Building Programme. These initiatives aim to scale global startups and convert research into globally competitive businesses. The firm will also host the GenQ Quantum Hackathon from 24 to 26 October 2025, as part of SWITCH by Enterprise Singapore, to scout top talent.

Thomas Landis, Managing Director of QAI Ventures in Singapore, will lead the local office, ensuring integration with Singapore’s research community and startups. CEO Alexandra Beckstein expressed excitement about transforming Singapore’s strengths into global quantum businesses. Emily Liew from Enterprise Singapore welcomed the collaboration, emphasising its role in advancing Singapore as a leading global quantum hub.

Microsoft has taken decisive legal action against RaccoonO365, a rapidly expanding cybercrime service used to steal Microsoft 365 credentials. The tech giant, through a court order from the Southern District of New York, has seized 338 websites linked to RaccoonO365, effectively dismantling its technical infrastructure and severing criminals’ access to victims. This operation highlights the accessibility of cybercrime tools, which have put millions of users at risk worldwide.

RaccoonO365 has been implicated in the theft of approximately 5,000 Microsoft credentials across 94 countries, with around 70 victims identified in Singapore alone. Although not all stolen credentials lead to compromised networks or fraud, the scale of the threat underscores the persistent effectiveness of social engineering and phishing tactics employed by cybercriminals.

The disruption of RaccoonO365’s services is a significant step in Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime and protect its users from potential threats.

This legal action by Microsoft not only disrupts a major phishing operation but also serves as a warning to cybercriminals exploiting simple tools to facilitate widespread harm. The company’s proactive measures demonstrate its commitment to safeguarding user data and maintaining the integrity of its services.

The Singapore Island Country Club (SICC) has officially reopened its historic Island Course, following an extensive redevelopment aimed at preserving its legacy whilst integrating modern sustainability practices. The reopening ceremony, held on 17 September, was attended by Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and nearly 80 distinguished guests, including club members and partners.

The Island Course, originally designed by Scottish architect Peter Robertson in 1932, has been a cherished golfing landmark in Singapore. The recent redevelopment, led by the late Neil Haworth of Nelson & Haworth Golf Course Architects, sought to honour the course’s historic design whilst adapting it for contemporary play. “We set out to honour the soul of The Island Course, its history, its natural beauty, its place in the hearts of Members whilst reimagining it for the demands of modern play,” said Ivan Chua, Chairman of The Island Golf Redevelopment Project Committee.

Key improvements include advanced turf and drainage systems, multiple tee options for inclusivity, and eco-friendly technologies such as SubAir and TORO Lynx irrigation systems. Over 90% of the flora has been replanted with native species to enhance biodiversity, and fallen trees have been repurposed into course markers.

The redevelopment positions SICC as a premier golfing destination, with the club set to host the Moutai Singapore Open later this year. Beyond golf, SICC offers a range of lifestyle amenities, reinforcing its status as a leading sport and leisure venue in Singapore.

Singaporeans have set a new record by contributing $6.7b in top-ups to their Central Provident Fund (CPF) accounts in the first seven months of 2025. This unprecedented figure highlights a growing trend of individuals prioritising their retirement savings amidst economic uncertainties.

The CPF Board announced that the surge in top-ups reflects increased public awareness and confidence in the CPF system as a reliable means of securing financial stability for retirement. The board noted that the top-ups were made through various schemes, including the Retirement Sum Topping-Up Scheme, which allows members to enhance their retirement savings.

The increase in CPF contributions is significant as it underscores the importance of long-term financial planning in Singapore. With an ageing population and rising life expectancy, the need for adequate retirement savings has become more pressing. The CPF system, a cornerstone of Singapore’s social security framework, plays a crucial role in ensuring that citizens have sufficient funds to support themselves in their later years.

Looking ahead, the CPF Board aims to continue promoting awareness and understanding of the benefits of CPF top-ups. The board is committed to encouraging more Singaporeans to take proactive steps in securing their financial future, ensuring that the trend of increased contributions continues.

Skylink Holdings Limited, a Singapore-based commercial vehicle specialist, made a notable debut on the Catalist Board of the Singapore Exchange (SGX) on 17 September 2025. The company’s shares closed at S$0.250, a 25% increase from the S$0.20 placement price, highlighting strong investor confidence.

The trading day saw Skylink’s shares reach an intraday high of S$0.275, with approximately 10.8 million shares changing hands. This performance underscores the robust support for the company’s reverse takeover (RTO) of Skylink APAC Pte. Ltd., which had been previously announced. The RTO attracted significant interest from prominent funds, including Asdew Acquisitions Pte. Ltd. and ICH Capital Pte Ltd.

The listing ceremony was attended by Skylink’s directors and senior management, alongside key figures such as Koh Jin Hoe, Head of Capital Markets at SGX, and Tan Kian Tiong, Head of Capital Markets at SAC Capital. The event marked a new chapter for Skylink, which operates one of Singapore’s largest commercial leasing fleets and manages a loan book of approximately S$66 million.

In connection with the RTO, Skylink raised approximately S$9.2 million, including S$4.2 million from the placement of shares and S$5 million from the issuance of convertible bonds. The funds will support the expansion of Skylink’s loan book, fleet size, and engineering capacity.

Wesley Shen, CEO of Skylink Holdings, expressed optimism about the company’s future, stating that the listing positions Skylink to expand its capabilities and services.