Industry News

The International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) and Ant International have unveiled a report under the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) Project Guardian, focusing on the use of tokenised bank liabilities and shared ledgers in foreign exchange (FX) settlement and cross-border payments. This initiative aims to enhance liquidity and efficiency in financial markets through asset tokenisation.

The report, developed by the Project Guardian FX industry group, outlines design principles for tokenised bank liabilities to standardise practices and enable interoperability. It also addresses key risks and mitigation strategies for shared ledger-based payments. Real-world use cases demonstrate the potential for faster and more secure cross-border transactions, potentially reducing settlement times to mere seconds.

Ant International’s blockchain-based Whale platform has been instrumental in developing a global treasury management use case for real-time multi-currency clearing and settlement. This innovation addresses the significant hurdles businesses face in cross-market payments, such as limited settlement windows and high transaction fees, which currently cost an estimated $120b annually.

Scott O’Malia, CEO of ISDA, emphasised the transformative potential of tokenisation in reducing costs and risks in FX settlements. Kelvin Li, General Manager of Platform Tech at Ant International, highlighted the company’s commitment to evolving their platform to support businesses of all sizes with the latest shared ledger technology.

The report is available on the MAS website, and ISDA, along with Ant International, plans to continue developing use cases to further integrate tokenised bank liabilities into existing banking systems, aiming to save businesses over $50b by 2030.
“`

JTC Corporation has announced the upcoming public tender for an industrial site at Plot B Tukang Innovation Drive, following an acceptable application under the Industrial Government Land Sales (IGLS) Programme. The tender, set to commence on 29 July 2025, will run for six weeks, with a committed bid price of no less than $70.5m.

The site, part of the Reserve List system under the first half of the 2025 IGLS Programme, spans 1.87 hectares with a gross plot ratio of 2.5. It is zoned for B2 industrial use and comes with a 33-year tenure. The Reserve List system requires JTC to disclose the minimum bid price but not the applicant’s identity.

This tender marks a significant opportunity for industrial development in the area, reflecting the government’s ongoing efforts to optimise land use for industrial purposes. The release of this site is expected to attract interest from various sectors looking to expand their operations in Singapore.

Further details about the land parcel can be accessed on the JTC website, providing potential bidders with comprehensive information to prepare their submissions.
“`

Retail and food & beverage (F&B) services in Singapore experienced a 1.4% year-on-year increase in sales for May 2025, according to the latest Retail Sales Index (RSI) and Food & Beverage Services Index (FSI). The growth was primarily driven by a significant rise in motor vehicle sales, which surged by 10.4% compared to the previous year.

The total retail sales value for May 2025 was estimated at $4.2 billion, with online sales contributing 12.3% of this figure. Excluding motor vehicles, retail sales remained flat year-on-year, with a slight month-on-month decline of 0.6% when seasonally adjusted. Notably, the Computer & Telecommunications Equipment sector saw a 9.2% increase in sales, whilst Supermarkets & Hypermarkets grew by 7.2%.

In contrast, sectors such as Petrol Service Stations and Wearing Apparel & Footwear faced declines, with sales dropping by 9.4% and 5.3% respectively. The Watches & Jewellery sector also saw a significant month-on-month decline of 11.5%.

The F&B sector mirrored the retail trend with a 1.4% year-on-year increase in sales, reaching a total value of $1.0 billion. Online sales accounted for 25.2% of the total F&B sales. Food Caterers led the growth with a 17.2% increase, whilst Cafes, Food Courts & Other Eating Places, and Fast Food Outlets also reported positive growth. However, Restaurants experienced a 4.2% decline in turnover.

These indices highlight the mixed performance across different sectors, with motor vehicles and certain retail categories driving overall growth. The data underscores the importance of adapting to changing consumer preferences and market conditions in Singapore’s dynamic retail and F&B landscape.
“`

Malaysia’s Gamuda Berhad and Singapore’s Q Investment Partners (QIP) have announced the Phase 2 expansion of their student accommodation project in Woolwich, London. This development, valued at approximately $50.5m, will add 120 beds, bringing the total to 419 units. The expansion follows the successful completion of Phase 1 and is part of Gamuda’s strategy to provide 3,000 student beds in the UK by 2029.

The project is strategically located within the Royal Arsenal regeneration area, offering excellent connectivity to central London via the Elizabeth Line. Students will benefit from commute times of under 35 minutes to major universities, including the University of Greenwich and King’s College London. The development will feature amenities such as private study areas, fitness facilities, and a community hub.

Chu Wai Lune, CEO of Gamuda Land, expressed confidence in the UK student housing sector, stating, “The success of Phase 1 reinforces our confidence in the UK student housing sector and in our ability to create high-quality, sustainable living spaces that resonate with global student needs.”

Peter Young, CEO of QIP, highlighted the project’s significance, saying, “This Phase 2 agreement underscores the strength of our joint venture with Gamuda and our shared ambition for delivering institutional-quality student accommodation.”

The UK purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) market continues to attract investment due to a persistent undersupply of student beds and strong international student growth. Gamuda and QIP’s expansion reflects their commitment to addressing these demands whilst creating long-term value for investors and communities. Completion of Phase 2 is expected in Q4 2026.
“`

Samudera Shipping Line, a prominent Singapore-based container shipping company, is poised to capitalise on the ongoing relocation of supply chains to Southeast Asia. The company’s feeder services, which connect Singapore with various Asian ports, are expected to see increased demand due to the region’s competitive labour costs and improving infrastructure. This shift is further supported by the US tariff policies affecting large Chinese vessels, potentially increasing the demand for smaller feeder vessels like those operated by Samudera.

Samudera Shipping Line, which handles over 30% of independent feeder-carried container volume at the Singapore hub, derives the majority of its revenue from Southeast Asia. The company is well-positioned to benefit from the region’s expanding production base, with 80% of its revenue coming from Southeast Asia and 17% from the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent. The company’s container shipping segment is its largest, contributing to 92% of its revenue and 98% of its operating profit in 2024.

The recent US tariff war and subsequent 90-day pause have led to a surge in US-bound shipments from Asia, boosting container throughput at the Port of Singapore by 6.6% year-on-year in the first five months of 2025. This trend is expected to support Samudera’s financial performance in the first half of 2025.

Despite not operating transpacific routes, Samudera may benefit from the US’s new port-fee policy, which exempts smaller China-built vessels. This policy could lead to increased demand for feeder vessels, enhancing Samudera’s market position. With a strong net cash position forming 69% of its market cap, Samudera is trading at 0.62 times its trailing price-to-book ratio, presenting a robust financial outlook amidst global supply chain shifts.
“`

The Robertson Opus, a new residential development in Singapore’s prestigious District 9, attracted over 3,000 visitors during its first preview weekend, according to a spokesperson for the consortium comprising Frasers Property and Sekisui House. The development, which offers a 999-year leasehold, is the only one of its kind in the Core Central Region this year, as of 5 pm on 6 July 2025.

Located along the Singapore River in Robertson Quay, The Robertson Opus promises unique riverside living with excellent connectivity to the city’s creative, civic, and financial districts. It also offers proximity to top educational institutions and the renowned Orchard Road shopping belt. The development’s units are priced from $1.01 million (S$1.37 million), with options ranging from a 431 square foot suite to a 1,539 square foot four-bedroom premium unit.

The preview weekend saw interest from a diverse group of potential buyers, including couples, families, and multi-generational families, many of whom are looking to build intergenerational wealth and lasting legacies. Sales bookings for the development are set to commence on 19 July 2025.

The Robertson Opus is positioned as an iconic masterpiece in Singapore’s real estate landscape, offering both luxury and strategic location advantages. As the launch progresses, it is expected to continue drawing significant attention from both homebuyers and investors.
“`

Grab has announced the formation of a trilateral group with the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), the Ministry of Transport (MOT), and the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) to safeguard the livelihoods of platform workers and tackle illegal delivery services. This collaboration aims to develop and share best practices to ensure a sustainable platform economy.

The initiative is a response to growing concerns about the welfare of platform workers and the integrity of delivery services. Grab has already implemented measures to prevent unauthorised individuals, particularly foreigners, from registering as platform workers. The new group will focus on enhancing these measures and creating solutions to further protect workers.

A spokesperson from Grab stated, “We are committed to work alongside the government, NTUC, and other platform operators to safeguard the livelihoods of platform workers and create solutions to stamp out illegal delivery services.” This statement underscores the company’s dedication to fostering a secure and fair working environment for its workers.

“`

Notified, a leading provider of technology for public relations and investor relations professionals, has announced its sponsorship of the third annual ORY APACUS Conference 2025. The event is set to take place on 8-9 July 2025 at the Capella Singapore Hotel on Sentosa Island. This premier conference, co-hosted by law firm Ortoli Rosenstadt Ye Pte Ltd and NASDAQ, aims to connect financial market professionals, investors, and companies to explore growth opportunities in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region and facilitate access to US capital markets.

As a Platinum sponsor, Notified will present its suite of integrated PR and IR solutions, specifically designed to assist APAC companies in navigating cross-border communications and engaging effectively with US investors and media. Melanie Morfill, Director of Notified APAC, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We’re excited to partner with the ORY APACUS Conference as it continues to build bridges between East and West.”

The conference will feature discussions on the impact of artificial intelligence on capital markets, insights into US capital markets, and the evolving business environment in Asia. Attendees will also hear from NASDAQ-listed companies on leveraging their public status to unlock business opportunities across the region. Notified will showcase its GlobeNewswire press release distribution, the newly launched IR Hub platform, and IRIS, an AI-powered assistant designed to manage compliance and investor expectations.

With over 10,000 global customers, Notified’s solutions are trusted by Fortune 100 companies and emerging market leaders. The company’s integrated technology platform aims to provide the tools and support needed for effective communication, whether companies are preparing for IPOs, managing investor relations, or building media relationships in new markets.
“`

CapitaLand Investment (CLI), a prominent global real asset manager, has released its 16th Global Sustainability Report, highlighting its ongoing commitment to decarbonisation and the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies. The report, which includes an updated Climate Transition Plan, outlines CLI’s 2030 Net Zero Glide Path and introduces the innovative ‘Return on Sustainability’ (RoS) model. This proprietary framework allows asset managers to evaluate the financial returns of green capital expenditure, demonstrating how sustainability investments can yield both environmental and financial benefits.

The report reveals that renewable energy usage across CLI’s global portfolio increased from 5.2% in 2023 to 7.3% in 2024, with contributions from 70 properties in 12 countries. Additionally, CLI recorded a 17% growth in green leases for new assets and lease renewals in Singapore and China. The company also raised over $4.3 billion in sustainable finance in FY2024 through its listed real estate investment trusts (REITs) and business trusts.

CLI’s Group CEO, Lee Chee Koon, emphasised the company’s dedication to sustainability, stating, “Our decarbonisation strategy is guided by a clear carbon mitigation hierarchy—beginning with low-carbon design, enhancing energy efficiency, and scaling up the use of renewable energy.”

The RoS framework, developed using financial models from CLI’s commercial assets in the Asia-Pacific region, evaluates eight key variables that influence financial performance. These include green capital expenditure, utility costs and savings, and carbon cost reductions. The framework provides a comprehensive tool for assessing the return on investment from sustainability initiatives, supporting more informed decisions around capital allocation and asset enhancement.

In addition to the report, CLI announced the ten finalists of the CapitaLand Sustainability X Challenge, a global initiative seeking climate-tech innovations. The challenge attracted over 900 submissions from 90 regions, with finalists set to pitch their innovations on 10 July 2025 in Singapore.
“`

Singapore Aquatics (SAQ) has launched a new national swimming framework, SwimSingapore presented by OCBC, with a $1m sponsorship from OCBC. This initiative, announced just days before the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, seeks to enrol 500,000 participants over the next five years, enhancing swimming education across all ages and skill levels.

The framework builds on the existing SwimSafer programme, introduced by Sport Singapore in 2010, and aims to establish Singapore as a world-class aquatics nation. It introduces four new segments—SwimStart, SwimFun, SwimFurther, and SwimBetter—alongside the existing SwimSafer and SwimFaster programmes. These segments cater to different age groups and skill levels, from infants to aspiring competitive swimmers.

Professor Kenneth Goh, President of Singapore Aquatics, highlighted the strategic importance of the initiative: “SwimSingapore presented by OCBC is a strategic investment in Singapore’s future, not just our talent pipeline, but in national swimming proficiency, public safety and well-being.”

The launch coincides with a significant year for aquatics in Singapore, which will host major events such as the World Aquatics Championships and the World Para Swimming Championships. These events underscore Singapore’s growing presence on the global aquatics stage.

Centralised assessments will be conducted at five locations to ensure consistent evaluation of swimming competencies. The initiative aims to foster a national swimming identity that is inclusive and lifelong, providing pathways for both recreational and competitive swimming.

Helen Wong, Group CEO of OCBC, expressed the bank’s commitment: “Swimming transcends recreation; it embodies safety, confidence and community. We commend Singapore Aquatics for crafting an inclusive and comprehensive programme.”
“`