Industry News

Singapore has made a remarkable leap in the 2025 Global Retirement Index (GRI) by Natixis Investment Managers, climbing 12 places to secure the 13th position globally. This advancement is largely attributed to improvements in Material Wellbeing, Finances in Retirement, and Quality of Life, despite a slight decline in Health.

The city-state’s progress is highlighted by its rise in the Material Wellbeing sub-index, where it jumped 18 places to eighth globally. This improvement is driven by reductions in unemployment and increases in income per capita and income equality. In the Finances in Retirement sub-index, Singapore now ranks third, trailing only Ireland and Switzerland, thanks to its top performance in tax pressure and improvements in old age dependency and governance.

Dora Seow, Singapore CEO for Natixis IM, commented, “Whilst retirement pressures across the globe are rising, I am proud to see Singapore’s remarkable progress in the GRI, driven by a strong improvement in Material Wellbeing.”

Globally, Norway reclaimed the top spot in the index, followed by Ireland and Switzerland. The report also highlighted challenges such as inflation and ageing populations, which continue to impact retirement security worldwide. According to the Natixis survey, 43% of individual investors believe achieving retirement security will require a miracle, with inflation cited as a major concern.

Singapore’s significant progress in the GRI underscores the effectiveness of its fiscal policies and long-term planning, positioning it as a leader in retirement security in Asia.

Singapore has taken a significant step in strengthening its economic collaboration with Vietnam by launching a new Professional Services (PS) Centre in Ho Chi Minh City. The centre, established by the Alliance—a coalition of Singapore’s leading trade associations and professional bodies—serves as a one-stop gateway for enterprises aiming to enter Vietnam’s dynamic economy. It offers professional services, regulatory guidance, market intelligence, and business networks to facilitate cross-border growth.

The Alliance, comprising eight trade associations and professional bodies, including the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) and the Singapore Business Federation, aims to create a collaborative platform for regional expansion. The launch follows the successful establishment of the first PS Centre in Shanghai earlier this year.

The Ho Chi Minh City hub is strategically positioned to assist businesses in navigating local regulations and building trusted networks. ISCA President Teo Ser Luck highlighted the centre’s role in bridging gaps for Singapore enterprises by providing access to professional services expertise and local partners with deep market knowledge.

Vietnam has become one of Singapore’s top investment destinations, with Singapore ranking as Vietnam’s largest foreign investor from January to November 2024. The PS Centre aims to support both inbound businesses entering Vietnam and Vietnamese enterprises seeking regional and global expansion.

The centre focuses on three key areas: facilitating international expansion, enabling business opportunities for professional services firms, and fostering a regional ecosystem for knowledge sharing and strategic networking. This initiative is expected to contribute significantly to Vietnam’s business landscape and strengthen cross-border collaboration.

Univers, a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) for energy, has been recognised as a Leader in the 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Global Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) Platforms. This accolade highlights Univers’s EnOS platform for its execution capabilities and comprehensive vision, marking a significant achievement in the company’s seven-year journey.

The EnOS platform, which connects 365 million devices and manages 845 gigawatts of renewable energy—nearly one-fifth of the world’s total capacity—has been pivotal in Univers’s rapid ascent. Michael Ding, Global Executive Director of Univers, stated, “Being recognised as a Leader in the Magic Quadrant so early in our journey is a proud moment for Univers. This recognition underscores the company’s ability to innovate at speed and deliver impact at scale.”

Univers’s AI-first approach enables enterprises to detect risks before they escalate, balance energy flows, and accelerate the transition to low-carbon systems. The company’s ecosystem strength is further evidenced by global integrators embedding EnOS into large-scale deployments and technology partners extending AI capabilities into new industrial and energy use cases.

Looking forward, Univers aims to advance from monitoring and optimisation to fully autonomous operations, empowering industries worldwide to achieve resilience, efficiency, and sustainability at scale. This recognition by Gartner affirms Univers’s commitment to helping industries decarbonise and innovate at scale, solidifying its position as a leader in the AI for energy sector.

Lime Petroleum Holding AS, a subsidiary of Rex International Holding Limited, has appointed ABG Sundal Collier ASA as its exclusive manager to organise fixed income investor meetings. This move could lead to a new Norwegian Krone (NOK) denominated senior secured bond issue, contingent on market conditions and favourable terms. The bond, with a proposed three-year tenor, aims to support the development of assets in Germany and other corporate purposes.

The new bond will hold the same rank as Lime Petroleum’s existing bond, identified by ISIN NO0012559246. This strategic financial manoeuvre underscores Lime Petroleum’s commitment to expanding its operations in Germany, leveraging its proprietary Rex Virtual Drilling technology to de-risk exploration and development assets.

Rex International Holding, listed on the Singapore Exchange, is a technology-driven oil exploration and production company with interests in Norway, Germany, Oman, and Benin. The company has successfully made four offshore discoveries since its listing in 2013, highlighting its expertise in the sector.

The engagement of ABG Sundal Collier ASA marks a significant step for Lime Petroleum as it seeks to secure funding for its ambitious projects. The outcome of the investor meetings and subsequent bond issue will be pivotal in determining the company’s future growth trajectory in the European market.

Jennings Trading Enterprise has launched its innovative Experience Centre at Kranji Green, Singapore, aiming to transform the laminate selection process into a tactile and immersive journey. This centre at 28 Kranji Loop offers a design-led environment for exploring materials.

Unlike traditional showrooms, the Jennings Experience Centre focuses on personalised consultations. Visitors are greeted by indoor sales consultants who guide them through the laminate selection process, ensuring tailored choices. The centre’s layout is designed for effortless navigation, with laminates categorised by design type, such as solid colours, woodgrains, and stones.

Key features include oval-shaped panels for intuitive browsing and pull-out panels for viewing full laminate sheets. The centre showcases Jennings’ complete range of high-pressure laminates, including the new 2025–2027 Designers Collection, which features 10-foot laminates inspired by natural elements.

The Experience Centre caters to homeowners, interior designers, architects, and contractors, offering tailored material recommendations and technical support. Jennings collaborates with design firms and carpentry workshops to stay connected to market demands, including the use of metal laminates in modern interiors.

Jennings is also exploring the integration of interactive digital displays to enhance the showroom experience. The company has opted for a curated launch approach, with private previews for design firms and upcoming promotions on Instagram. Whilst there are no immediate plans for regional expansion, Jennings is open to establishing more local centres based on demand.

M1 has announced it will offer Apple’s latest iPhone models, including the iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Pre-orders begin on 12 September, with availability starting on 19 September. M1 is providing exclusive promotions for these models, including a $0 upfront cost with the Bespoke Flexi plan, which offers savings of up to $2,266 for new customers and $2,371 for existing ones.

The Bespoke Flexi plan includes 350GB of data, 1GB worldwide roaming, 500 minutes, and 350 SMS. Additionally, all Bespoke Flexi plans come with up to 3GB of worldwide roaming. For Corporate Individual Scheme (CIS) customers, M1 offers up to a 38% discount on the Bespoke Contract plans, with potential savings of up to $2,900 for new customers and $2,299 for existing ones.

New and port-in customers signing up for the Bespoke Flexi or Bespoke Contract plan will receive an exclusive M1 accessories gift pack valued at $351. This pack includes a 3-in-1 MagSafe Charging Stand, MagSafe iPhone 17 phone case, Apple 20W power adaptor, “Find My” Bluetooth GPS smart tracker, and a tempered glass screen protector with installation.

These offers highlight M1’s commitment to providing value to its customers through attractive deals and comprehensive service plans. For full pricing and availability details, customers are encouraged to visit M1’s official website.
“`

Asia Pacific markets are showing resilience and strategic growth despite global economic challenges, according to Colliers’ Global Capital Flows Report for September 2025. The report highlights Singapore, Japan, and Hong Kong as leading global sources of cross-border capital, whilst Japan and Australia are top destinations, reflecting strong investor confidence in the region.

Colliers’ Managing Director in Singapore, Bastiaan VB, noted, “Singapore continues to demonstrate its dual strength as both a capital source and investment destination.” This sentiment is echoed by Akira Kuno, Executive Director & Head of Capital Markets in Japan, who stated, “Japan’s position among the top global capital sources and destinations highlights its enduring appeal to institutional investors.”

The report reveals that investment activity in Asia Pacific has surpassed 2024 levels by 5% year-to-date, with the region leading in land-led development. Seven of the top 10 global destinations for land and development are in Asia Pacific, including Singapore, China, and India, underscoring the region’s leadership in urban expansion.

Lucy Mallick, International Capital Lead at Colliers, commented on the strategic resilience of the region, noting, “With inflation easing and rate cuts across key markets, we expect capital flows to accelerate in the second half of 2025.”

The office sector remains a standout performer, with Asia Pacific and EMEA leading the global recovery in office investment activity. Meanwhile, the retail sector maintains strong trading levels, and data centre fundraising is gaining momentum due to increased demand for AI and digital infrastructure.

The Journal House is set to return to Singapore from 1 to 3 October 2025, coinciding with the F1 Grand Prix weekend. Hosted at Jiak Kim House, the event will bring together influential figures such as Singapore’s Minister for Manpower, Dr Tan See Leng, and News Corp Chief Executive, Robert Thomson, to explore strategic opportunities amidst disruptive risks.

The event, organised by The Wall Street Journal, aims to provide a platform for C-suite leaders and policymakers to engage in high-level networking and discussions. Alan Murray, President of The WSJ Leadership Institute, will lead conversations at the CEO Council Summit, focusing on geopolitical and global supply chain risks, as well as evolving trade and energy policies.

Notable speakers include Professor Kishore Mahbubani, Distinguished Fellow at the Asia Research Institute, NUS, and Tan Su Shan, CEO of DBS Group. The agenda will cover a range of topics, from cybercrime and AI to corporate compliance and energy policies. Discussions will feature experts like Frankie Shuai, APAC Chief Information Security Officer at DWS Group, and David Koh, Commissioner of Cybersecurity at the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore.

The event promises to offer valuable insights into navigating the complexities of today’s volatile environment.

Singapore Polytechnic has launched an initiative to engage 500 young individuals in shaping the future of Singapore through the Polytechnic Forum 2025. The event, held at the institution’s campus, aims to foster innovative thinking and problem-solving skills among students by encouraging them to reimagine the nation’s future landscape.

The Polytechnic Forum 2025 is designed to provide a platform for students to collaborate, discuss, and develop ideas that could influence Singapore’s development in various sectors. By bringing together a diverse group of young minds, the forum seeks to harness their creativity and enthusiasm to address future challenges.

The initiative underscores Singapore Polytechnic’s commitment to nurturing future-ready graduates who can adapt to and thrive in a rapidly changing world. As the forum progresses, it is expected to generate innovative ideas that could potentially be implemented in Singapore’s strategic planning and development efforts.

Singapore-based start-up Synthesys has secured $11m (£8.5m) in seed and strategic funding to develop next-generation infrastructure for tokenised securities globally. The funding round was led by super-angel investor Mark Pui, known for his focus on technology and blockchain investments. Synthesys, formerly Equitize, plans to bridge the gap in siloed liquidity across jurisdictions, a challenge that has hindered institutional participation.

Tokenised mutual funds have seen a remarkable 7,400% growth in assets under management over the past six months, indicating a significant shift in the market. Financial giants such as BlackRock, Franklin Templeton, and Fidelity have already launched tokenised money-market funds, whilst Nasdaq has filed to enable tokenised ETF and equity trading. Regional leaders like HSBC, OCBC, and DBS have also issued tokenised bonds and structured notes.

Darien, CEO of Synthesys, highlighted the importance of regulatory clarity and blockchain’s role in enhancing traditional financial infrastructure. “Financial institutions are now recognising the operational efficiencies of tokenising securities—not as a future concept, but as a reality today,” he stated.

Tokenised funds streamline processes by embedding compliance into smart contracts on a digital ledger, reducing settlement times and administrative costs. Synthesys’ modular infrastructure allows seamless interaction between previously siloed financial systems, unlocking deeper liquidity and broader market access.

Pui remarked, “This raise enables us to scale the infrastructure needed to continue building towards making the future of capital markets more efficient, transparent, and accessible.” Founded in 2023, Synthesys is rapidly expanding across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, working with global and regional asset managers to enable tokenisation.