Industry News

Asia Pacific’s real estate market saw a significant resurgence in late 2025, with investment volumes reaching their highest levels since 2022, according to Savills’ Asia Pacific Investment Quarterly. The fourth quarter of 2025 witnessed an 8.7% increase in transaction volumes year-on-year, driven by stabilising yields and improved visibility on US tariff impacts.

In Singapore, the real estate investment market closed Q4 2025 with a robust S$10.97b in total investment sales, marking a 44.4% increase from the previous year. The residential sector was the largest contributor, accounting for 40.3% of total sales, despite a 13.7% quarter-on-quarter decline to S$4.42b. The commercial sector saw a 31.1% rise in investment sales, reaching S$3.45b, bolstered by significant transactions such as Keppel REIT’s acquisition of a one-third interest in Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 3 for S$1.45b.

Across the region, Australia recorded AU$13.1b in Q4 investments, a 66% year-on-year increase, with office investments leading the charge. South Korea set a new annual record with KRW21.1t in office market investments, whilst Hong Kong’s residential transactions reached their highest since 1995, with 13,800 deals by Mainland buyers.

Neil Brookes, Executive Managing Director at Savills, noted, “The recovery we are seeing is being led by investors with a clear focus on quality, income durability, and pricing discipline.” Looking ahead, Alan Cheong, Executive Director at Savills Singapore, commented on the geopolitical risks, suggesting that 2026 investment volumes could match 2025 levels if conditions remain stable.

JTC has unveiled a series of strategic partnerships aimed at expanding the global reach of startups based at LaunchPad @ one-north. Collaborating with NUS Enterprise and INSEAD, JTC will connect LaunchPad startups to 19 international startup nodes, including major hubs like Paris, San Francisco, and Tokyo. This initiative, announced on 25 March 2026, is designed to provide startups with access to coworking spaces, investor networks, and ecosystem partners, facilitating their growth and international scaling.

The partnerships are part of a broader strategy to position LaunchPad as Asia’s flagship startup destination. The initiative includes new global and local partnerships, supportive policies for startups at various stages, and dedicated infrastructure for industry clusters. Alvin Tan, Minister of State for Trade and Industry and National Development, highlighted these developments at the opening of The Meeting Point, a new coworking and event space at LaunchPad.

JTC’s collaboration with Enterprise Singapore under the Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) will further support startups in exploring new markets. Locally, a partnership with OneCo provides LaunchPad startups access to coworking spaces in Singapore’s Central Business District.

Additionally, the LaunchPad Innovation Network (LINK) is expanding its mandate to connect startups with corporates, investors, and strategic partners. Since 2022, LINK has facilitated connections for over 60 startups, with new partners like CapitaLand Development and SoftBank Robotics joining the network.

JTC is also introducing startup-friendly policies, such as streamlined onboarding and flexible lease terms, to support startups at every stage. The infrastructure at LaunchPad is being refreshed, with The Meeting Point redesigned for networking and community events. Future developments include Kampong AI, a hub for AI startups, set to open fully by 2028.

Banyan Group, a global hospitality company, has announced its entry into the United States market with the launch of Banyan Tree Residences West Palm Beach. This marks the debut of the Group’s flagship Banyan Tree brand in the US, in collaboration with Mast Capital and Curated JCZM Development. The project aims to tap into one of the country’s fastest-evolving real estate markets.

The Banyan Tree Residences West Palm Beach is the Group’s first residential offering in the US, expanding its portfolio of award-winning resorts and branded residences. Known for its naturally luxurious and ecologically sensitive hospitality, Banyan Tree has been a pioneer in the industry for over three decades.

The collaboration with Mast Capital and Curated JCZM Development underscores the Group’s commitment to delivering high-quality residential experiences. The project is expected to attract significant interest due to its strategic location and the brand’s reputation for excellence.

Banyan Tree Holdings Limited, listed on the Singapore Exchange (SGX: B58), is leveraging its extensive experience in hospitality to make a significant impact in the US market. The move is part of the Group’s broader strategy to expand its global footprint and introduce its unique brand of luxury living to new audiences.

With the launch of sales for Banyan Tree Residences West Palm Beach, the Group is poised to set a new standard for residential offerings in the region. The project is expected to enhance the Group’s brand presence and open up new opportunities for growth in the US.

Pan Pacific Hotels Group (PPHG) has launched the “Every Meeting Matters” campaign, aiming to elevate the experience of business events as the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector undergoes significant transformation. This initiative underscores PPHG’s commitment to adapting to the evolving landscape of business events in the post-pandemic era.

The campaign follows a comprehensive group-wide Asset Enhancement Initiative (AEI) of meetings and events spaces, positioning PPHG as a trusted partner for high-performing and meaningful meetings. The newly renovated William Pickering Ballroom at PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, Singapore, exemplifies the group’s dedication to providing state-of-the-art facilities.

As global business travel rebounds, the MICE industry is witnessing substantial growth. According to Research and Markets, the global MICE industry market was valued at approximately US$783.70b in 2023 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6%. This growth highlights the increasing demand for innovative and flexible meeting solutions.

PPHG’s campaign is timely, addressing the need for enhanced business event experiences as companies seek to reconnect and collaborate in person. By investing in modernising its facilities, PPHG aims to meet the expectations of a rapidly changing industry landscape.

Looking ahead, PPHG’s focus on innovation and adaptability is set to play a crucial role in shaping the future of business events, ensuring that every meeting truly matters.

OUE REIT Management Pte. Ltd. has secured planning approval to transform the Level 17 chiller system area of OUE Bayfront into prime office space. This conversion, expected to be completed by the first half of 2027, will unlock over 2,100 square metres of office space, enhancing the property’s long-term value and generating additional rental income.

The project is part of a broader sustainability initiative, aligning with OUE Bayfront’s Net Zero Transition Plan and OUE REIT’s ESG Vision 2030. By connecting to the District Cooling System (DCS), OUE Bayfront aims to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, supporting its goal to cut Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 40% by 2030.

The estimated capital expenditure for the conversion is up to S$43m, with a stabilised return on investment projected to exceed 11%. The funding will be sourced from existing loan facilities, ensuring no significant impact on the net tangible assets or aggregate leverage for the financial year ending 31 December 2026.

Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of the Manager, Han Khim Siew, emphasised the strategic importance of sustainability, stating, “At OUE REIT, we view sustainability not only as a moral imperative, but as a strategic and structural imperative that is integral to delivering long-term value creation.”

OUE REIT, one of Singapore’s largest diversified REITs, continues to focus on sustainability-led asset enhancements to future-proof its portfolio and deliver enduring returns for stakeholders.

Singapore’s corporate and investment banking (CIB) sector is at the forefront of AI talent investment, yet operational inefficiencies persist, according to Capgemini’s World Corporate and Investment Banking Report 2026. The report highlights that 90% of Singaporean CIBs encounter significant workflow bottlenecks, particularly in client onboarding and transaction reconciliation, surpassing global averages.

The report reveals that whilst Singaporean CIBs are investing heavily in AI, with 40% focusing on upskilling and 30% offering incentives for AI adoption, only 20% are actively recruiting AI talent. This contrasts with a global recruitment average of 40%. Despite these efforts, many banks struggle to move beyond pilot AI projects due to governance issues, with only 26% having centralised AI oversight.

Competition from non-bank financial institutions is intensifying, with 85% of corporate clients planning to engage with these entities within the next year. Clients demand real-time responsiveness and personalised services, yet only 23% of CIBs meet these expectations. Additionally, 92% of clients report limited integration with existing systems, necessitating manual workarounds.

Catherine Chedru-Refeuil, Global Head of Corporate and Investment Banking at Capgemini, stated, “Non-banks are closing the competitive gap with established corporate and investment banks. To succeed, CIBs must adopt a disciplined approach: creating enterprise-grade platforms and cultivating an ecosystem of trusted partners.”

As CIBs navigate these challenges, the report suggests a need for a comprehensive overhaul of operating models and technology foundations to enhance client engagement and reduce costs. The findings underscore the urgency for CIBs to adapt swiftly to maintain competitiveness in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.

BDx Data Centres and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to tackle Singapore’s looming skills gap in the data centre and AI infrastructure sector. As the nation aims to lead in AI and digital infrastructure, the demand for skilled professionals is projected to outpace supply, with a shortfall of 14,000 jobs expected by 2030.

The partnership will see ITE students receive hands-on training at BDx’s AI-ready SIN1 facility, which includes a quantum computing test bed. This initiative is designed to equip students with job-ready skills, directly supporting Singapore’s Green Data Centre Roadmap and Smart Nation objectives. The MoU covers all three ITE colleges, embedding real-world data centre scenarios into teaching modules.

Mayank Srivastava, CEO of BDx, emphasised the importance of this collaboration, stating, “By building a pipeline of skilled local talent with ITE, we are reinforcing Singapore’s resilience and long-term leadership in AI and digital infrastructure.” Peter Lam, CEO of ITE, added, “This partnership ensures our students graduate with practical, job-ready competencies.”

According to the Asia-Pacific Data Centre Association, Singapore’s data centre sector currently supports 7,000 jobs, a number expected to nearly triple by 2030. The collaboration between BDx and ITE aims to meet the surging demand for cloud computing and AI infrastructure by developing locally trained technical talent.

Singapore Airlines (SIA) is set to introduce daily non-stop flights between Singapore and the newly established Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport starting 23 November 2026, pending regulatory approvals. The service will utilise the Airbus A350-900 medium-haul aircraft, offering 40 Business Class and 263 Economy Class seats.

The inaugural flight, SQ201, will depart Singapore at 1130hrs local time, arriving in Western Sydney at 2220hrs. The return flight, SQ202, will leave Western Sydney at 2355hrs, reaching Singapore at 0505hrs the following day. This new service complements SIA’s existing four-times-daily flights to Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport, increasing the airline’s total daily flights to Sydney to five.

This expansion marks SIA’s commitment to the Australian market, where it will serve eight destinations, including Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth, and both Sydney airports. Scoot, SIA’s low-cost subsidiary, will continue to operate flights to Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney Kingsford Smith.

Dai Haoyu, SIA’s Senior Vice President of Marketing Planning, stated, “Singapore Airlines’ services to Australia’s newest gateway at Western Sydney will deliver more choice and strengthen connectivity to this popular destination for our customers.”

Simon Hickey, CEO of Western Sydney International Airport, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting the benefits of the airport’s 24-hour capacity and SIA’s extensive global network.

Tickets for the new route will be available from 25 March 2026 through SIA’s distribution channels.

CBRE has announced the sale of a newly completed freehold food factory at 25 Genting Road, Singapore, with an asking price of S$38m. The property, situated in the Kallang city fringe industrial precinct, is being marketed via private treaty.

The four-storey building, designed specifically for food production, spans a gross floor area of approximately 26,287 square feet on a 10,526 square foot freehold land parcel. It comprises 13 functional units, each equipped to meet modern operational needs. The facility’s specifications include a ceiling height of about 5 metres, a floor loading capacity of 10 kN per square metre, and 150A 3-phase 3-neutral electrical supply. Additional provisions such as LPG connections, kitchen exhaust ducts, and in-unit toilets enhance its suitability for food-related operations.

Graeme Bolin, Head of Occupier and Leasing, Industrial and Logistics Services at CBRE Singapore, highlighted the property’s strategic advantages: “Freehold food production properties in Singapore are exceptionally limited. 25 Genting Road is a newly completed and operation-ready facility that offers food operators the opportunity to establish a long-term presence in one of the most sought-after industrial zones in the city fringe.”

The factory’s location offers excellent connectivity via major expressways and is a short drive from Potong Pasir and Mattar MRT stations. Its proximity to Marina Bay, Orchard Road, and the CBD, along with nearby residential estates, supports workforce availability and operational efficiency.

This opportunity is particularly compelling for food operators seeking central kitchen facilities, cloud kitchens, or satellite production spaces, offering efficient islandwide distribution capabilities.

Retail investors in Singapore have net bought S$638m worth of stocks in March, up to 24 March, with significant investments in the Financial Services, REITs, and Consumer Cyclicals sectors. This activity contrasts with institutional investors, who were net sellers of S$46m during the same period. The retail buying spree has lifted the cumulative net buying for the first quarter of 2026 to S$675m.

The most notable stocks driving this trend include DBS Group, Genting Singapore, and CapitaLand Ascendas REIT. The latter also raised S$903.5m through an oversubscribed placement and preferential offering, aimed at financing acquisitions in logistics, business parks, and data centres across Singapore, the US, Spain, and Japan.

Retail investors have shown a contrarian approach, focusing on stocks that have underperformed. The 30 most retail-net bought stocks averaged a negative 8.9% return in March, compared to a positive 4.7% for the most net sold stocks. This highlights a value-seeking behaviour among retail investors, who prefer daily laggards over market leaders.

CapitaLand Ascendas REIT, despite a 7.1% decline, saw significant retail interest. The REIT’s recent fundraising efforts are expected to expand its share base by 5.5%, with proceeds allocated for acquisitions and corporate purposes. This strategic move underscores the REIT’s commitment to rejuvenating its portfolio and expanding its asset base.

As retail investors continue to influence market dynamics, their contrarian strategies may shape future investment trends, potentially impacting stock performance and market stability in the coming months.