Industry News

Porsche is set to compete in the 93rd edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, aiming to secure its 20th overall victory. The German manufacturer will field four Porsche 963 cars and three Porsche 911 GT3 R vehicles in the prestigious endurance race. Known for its rich history at Le Mans, Porsche has already claimed 19 overall and 111 class victories. This year, the team is determined to build on its legacy, with Vice President of Porsche Motorsport, Thomas Laudenbach, stating, “We’ll give it everything to secure the 20th overall win for Porsche.”

The 24 Hours of Le Mans, part of the FIA World Endurance Championship, is a highlight of the motorsport calendar, attracting over 325,000 fans annually. The race, which starts on 14 June, offers double championship points due to its extended distance. The Circuit des 24 Heures, a mix of public roads and dedicated track, presents unique challenges, including the famous Mulsanne Straight and Porsche Curves.

Porsche Penske Motorsport will have ten factory drivers, including reigning WEC champions and IMSA points leaders. The team has prepared all three Porsche 963 cars at its Mannheim facility for the first time, with Managing Director Jonathan Diuguid expressing confidence in their readiness. “We’re better prepared than ever before. The Porsche 963 is extremely reliable, the team is in perfect sync, and our driver line-up is world-class,” he said.

In addition to the Hypercar entries, Porsche’s customer team, Proton Competition, will field a fourth Porsche 963. Meanwhile, defending LMGT3 class champions Manthey will enter three Porsche 911 GT3 R cars, including a special livery for the Iron Dames team.

Porsche will also donate €500 for every lap completed by its factory-entered 963 cars, benefiting charities supporting critically ill children. The initiative has raised €1,811,000 over the past two years. As the race approaches, Porsche remains focused on strategy and flawless execution to achieve success at Le Mans.
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Zespri, the world’s largest kiwifruit marketer, has unveiled its latest Asia-Pacific campaign, Jam-Packed, aimed at educating consumers on the importance of nutrient density in fruit selection. The campaign features a concept film where vitamins are personified as guests at a vibrant party hosted by the Zespri KiwiBrothers, visually dramatising the idea of the fruit being “jam-packed” with nutrition.

As consumers increasingly opt for prepackaged meals due to busy lifestyles, Zespri’s campaign seeks to simplify food choices by focusing on nutrient density, which measures the number of essential nutrients relative to calorie content. The playful film invites audiences into a miniature world inside a kiwifruit, showcasing the nutrient-rich nature of Zespri Kiwifruit in an engaging manner.

Ng Kok Hwee, Global General Manager, Marketing, stated, “At Zespri, we believe that good nutrition starts with making good choices. Our ‘Jam-Packed’ campaign is about helping consumers understand how nutritionally dense Zespri Kiwifruit is in delivering vitamins and minerals.”

The campaign is supported by a range of digital and physical activations, including immersive retail experiences and engaging media content, designed to integrate the “jam-packed” concept into consumers’ daily lives. Through these efforts, Zespri aims to empower consumers to make healthier food choices and embrace a balanced lifestyle, one nutrient-dense bite at a time. The Jam-Packed campaign video is available for viewing online.
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Proofpoint, a leading cybersecurity and compliance company, has announced the opening of its new office in Singapore, marking a significant expansion of its operations in the Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ) region. This move comes as AI-driven cybersecurity threats, such as email fraud, are on the rise, particularly in countries like Japan and South Korea. The new office will serve as a hub for engineering, sales, marketing, HR, and a dedicated AI Research & Development team.

Singapore has been chosen as the regional headquarters due to its reputation as a global technology hub. The strategic investment aims to bolster AI capabilities at a time when 52% of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) in Singapore recognise generative AI as a security risk. Proofpoint’s CEO, Sumit Dhawan, highlighted the importance of AI in modern cybersecurity, stating, “AI is the core of modern cybersecurity. Proofpoint has been at the forefront of enabling protection with AI whilst keeping humans at the centre.”

The Singapore office will enable regional customers to adopt Proofpoint’s human-centric cybersecurity platform, addressing the growing challenges posed by AI-enabled threats. The AI Research & Development team, consisting of over 20 professionals, will focus on developing AI-powered defensive platforms to protect against human-targeted threats.

George Lee, Senior Vice President of Asia Pacific and Japan at Proofpoint, emphasised Singapore’s strategic position, saying, “By establishing these essential assets in Singapore, particularly the AI Research & Development team, we are ensuring faster response times, enhanced data sovereignty, and improved AI-driven human-centric protection for our customers.”

Proofpoint currently employs around 70 staff members in Singapore and protects over 13.6 million employees across the APJ region. The company is also an Advocate Partner for Singapore’s Cyber Security Agency’s ‘SG Cyber Safe’ programme, promoting cybersecurity awareness and best practices.
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Longbridge Securities, an AI-driven online brokerage, has launched a groundbreaking promotion offering zero-fee trading for new clients across US, Hong Kong, and Singapore markets. This initiative positions Longbridge as the only brokerage in Singapore providing commission-free access to these major markets, aiming to attract cost-conscious investors seeking affordable global market entry.

The promotion, which began in May, waives both transaction commissions and platform fees for new users who meet the promotion criteria. This move is part of Longbridge’s strategy to lower investment barriers and provide institutional-grade tools to retail investors. Xu Shengyu, CEO of Longbridge Securities Singapore, stated, “Our ‘0 Fees for US, HK and SG Stocks’ promotion reflects our commitment to lowering entry barriers and delivering better investing services.”

Longbridge’s platform is designed to simplify investing with AI tools like PortAI, which offers industry chain mapping, in-depth data analysis, and natural language-driven trade support. This technology empowers investors to make informed decisions quickly and efficiently. The brokerage also provides access to over 32,000 financial products, including stocks, REITs, and ETFs, catering to diverse investment needs.

As fintech continues to evolve, Longbridge is committed to leveraging technological innovation to enhance service quality and build user trust. The company aims to democratise access to global financial tools, ensuring that both novice and experienced investors can benefit from its advanced trading platform.
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NTT DATA and Booz Allen Hamilton have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cybersecurity capabilities in Singapore and the Indo-Pacific region. This strategic partnership will focus on threat intelligence, zero-trust architectures, and AI-driven automated threat protection to tackle pressing digital threats.

The collaboration will see senior researchers from both firms co-leading initiatives in AI-in-cybersecurity and malware engineering. Key areas of focus include advanced threat detection and zero-trust frameworks, supported by knowledge-sharing initiatives and accelerated learning programmes to build regional cybersecurity talent.

The partnership aims to address the 30% capability gap identified by the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore’s first Health Report. This gap highlights the need for increased adoption of recommended cybersecurity measures among local organisations. By leveraging NTT DATA’s market presence and Booz Allen’s global resources, the alliance seeks to bridge this gap and enhance security resilience across the region.

Png Kim Meng, CEO of NTT DATA Singapore, remarked, “This MOU brings together NTT DATA’s cybersecurity expertise with Booz Allen’s exceptional tradecraft and resources to deliver innovative solutions tailored to the unique challenges faced by our customers.” Garrettson Blight, Vice President of Booz Allen, added, “Our collaboration with NTT DATA is an exciting opportunity to scale our services and solutions to address the most pressing current and emerging challenges facing our clients in Singapore and beyond.”

This partnership underscores a shared commitment to empowering businesses to navigate evolving digital risks with confidence, contributing to increased security and resilience in Singapore and the broader Indo-Pacific region.
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CBRE announces the sale of a freehold three-storey conservation shophouse at 235 East Coast Road, Singapore. The property, located in the bustling Katong precinct, is available through an Expression of Interest exercise closing on 16 July 2025 at 3pm.

The shophouse, with a land area of approximately 1,905 square feet and a total built-up area of around 4,700 square feet, is strategically positioned in one of Singapore’s most dynamic and historically rich neighbourhoods. Currently, the ground floor is leased to a minimart, the third floor to an office, whilst the second floor remains vacant. The property is zoned for commercial use with a Plot Ratio of 3.0, offering potential for addition and alteration works to increase its gross floor area to 5,716 square feet.

Clemence Lee, Executive Director of Capital Markets at CBRE, highlighted the property’s unique appeal: “Shophouses along East Coast Road, particularly in the Katong area, are highly coveted. They offer a rare blend of heritage charm and modern commercial vibrancy.”

The location is a major draw, known for its eclectic mix of eateries, cafés, boutiques, and essential services, alongside excellent connectivity via bus routes and the nearby Marine Parade MRT station. The guide price for the shophouse is $11.3m (S$15.5m), translating to approximately $2,400 (S$3,300) per square foot on its existing built-up area. Notably, the property is open to foreign and corporate buyers without additional stamp duties.

This sale presents a compelling proposition for those seeking a distinctive asset with strong potential for rental income and capital appreciation in one of Singapore’s most beloved districts.
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New research from HubSpot highlights a significant performance gap among Singaporean businesses based on their digital maturity. The study, which surveyed 544 business leaders, reveals that companies with fully integrated digital systems are ten times more likely to outperform their peers. This digital sophistication is crucial for navigating economic uncertainties and achieving rapid growth.

The research identifies key factors that distinguish top performers: integration of digital tools, AI maturity, and leadership alignment. Whilst 91% of businesses have embraced some form of digitalisation, only a minority have fully integrated systems, limiting their ability to maximise technology benefits. Carol Fong, Head of Asia at HubSpot, emphasised the importance of agility, stating, “The difference between a thriving business and one merely keeping the lights on comes down to how quickly they can adapt to changing market conditions.”

The study also highlights the role of AI in driving business success. Companies with advanced AI implementations report faster returns on investment and are nearly twice as likely to outperform their peers. However, only 16% of businesses have reached advanced AI deployment, indicating a significant opportunity for growth.

Leadership alignment emerges as a critical factor in digital transformation. As businesses mature digitally, internal bottlenecks such as slow decision-making and lack of leadership buy-in become more pronounced, hindering growth.

In conclusion, the HubSpot research underscores the importance of digital maturity in achieving business success. As economic challenges persist, companies that integrate digital tools effectively and align leadership strategies are better positioned to thrive.
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Income Insurance has announced that it will provide full coverage for customers affected by the recent closure of Jetstar Asia. Despite the situation not being an insured peril under standard policy conditions, Income Insurance will cover travel insurance customers who booked flights after 31 July.

These customers will receive 100% reimbursement for accommodation, theme park tickets, and transport bookings, provided they can demonstrate that they are unable to obtain refunds for these expenses.

The decision comes in response to the disruption caused by Jetstar Asia’s unexpected closure, which has left many travellers in a difficult position. By offering this coverage, Income Insurance aims to alleviate some of the financial burdens faced by affected customers.

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FairPrice Group has announced the return of its Save Every Day Campaign, offering more than 400 vouchers to customers from 12 June to 10 September 2025. This initiative, part of Singapore’s diamond jubilee celebrations, aims to provide over $1,000 in savings through vouchers available both physically and on the FairPrice Group app. These can be redeemed across all FairPrice, FairPrice Finest, FairPrice Xtra, and Unity outlets.

The campaign includes over 100 special SG60 vouchers, offering discounts on essentials like rice, oil, and milk, as well as treats such as chocolates and FairPrice tortilla chips. Exclusive online vouchers for electronics from brands like Samsung and Xiaomi are also available. The initiative is designed to help customers manage costs amid ongoing inflation, with vouchers combinable with existing discounts for pensioners and other groups.

Group CEO Vipul Chawla stated, “The Save Every Day Campaign is a key part of our ongoing efforts to keep daily essentials within reach for all in Singapore amid increasing global uncertainty, and stubborn inflation.”

Since its inception in 2021, the campaign has grown in popularity, with 2024 seeing nearly $1.4m in savings for customers. The vouchers can be used multiple times per transaction, and a new app feature will soon allow automatic application of discounts.

FairPrice Group continues to support affordability with initiatives like price freezes and special deals, ensuring essentials remain accessible to Singaporeans. For more information, visit FairPrice’s official website.
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Singapore has climbed to third place among Asia Pacific (APAC) countries in the Global Life-Work Balance Index 2025, published by Remote, a leading global HR platform. The city-state improved its global ranking to 25th, attributed to an increase in statutory maternity leave and a high happiness index score.

The index, which evaluates 60 countries based on factors such as statutory leave, work hours, and LGBTQ+ inclusivity, saw New Zealand maintaining its top position globally with a score of 86.87. Singapore’s rise in the rankings is part of a broader trend in the region, with Malaysia also making significant strides, moving up 20 places to rank fourth in APAC.

Barbara Matthews, Chief People Officer at Remote, commented on the importance of life-work balance, stating, “By promoting life-work balance, we acknowledge that work is a means to support life and not its defining purpose.”

Despite improvements, challenges remain for some APAC countries. Japan, for instance, fell to fifth place in the region, hindered by limited statutory annual leave. Meanwhile, China ranked lowest among APAC countries, with workers averaging 46.10 hours per week, the longest in the region.

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