Industry News

SGX-listed Stoneweg European Real Estate Investment Trust (SERT) has released its Sustainability Report 2024, marking the seventh year of such reporting. The report, covering 2023 and 2024, showcases SERT’s commitment to sustainability with a 24.9% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions intensity since 2019 and a target of Net Zero operational carbon emissions by 2040.

The report highlights the successful issuance of a €500 million green unsecured bond, which was over four times oversubscribed, demonstrating strong investor confidence. Additionally, 85% of SERT’s office portfolio by value is now certified by BREEAM or equivalent standards, and eight solar photovoltaic projects are operational, with plans for 17 more by 2027.

SERT retained its four-star GRESB rating, achieved an “A” MSCI ESG rating, and maintained a “Negligible Risk” score of 8.8 from Sustainalytics. The trust also ranked in the top ten of the Singapore Governance and Transparency Index for the fifth consecutive year.

CEO Simon Garing emphasised the integration of ESG into decision-making, stating, “Our ambition for Net Zero operational carbon emissions by 2040 guides how we invest, manage, and engage. ESG is no longer a nice-to-have – it is part of how we access capital, attract tenants, meet regulatory expectations and build long-term value.”

The report underscores SERT’s alignment with international sustainability standards and its strategic focus on enhancing environmental, social, and governance metrics. As SERT continues to advance its sustainability initiatives, it aims to further improve its environmental impact and stakeholder engagement.
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DKSH Consumer Goods Singapore has announced an expanded strategic partnership with Unicharm, a global leader in hygiene and personal care products. This collaboration aims to broaden the distribution of Unicharm’s market-leading brands across Singapore, enhancing accessibility to essential everyday products. The partnership builds on a successful collaboration between the two companies in Malaysia since 2008.

Under the new agreement, DKSH will provide comprehensive Market Expansion Services for Unicharm’s flagship brands, including Mamypoko, Pet Pet, Moony, Sofy, Silcot, Certainty, and Lifree. These brands cover a range of categories from baby care to feminine care, offering trusted solutions for all life stages. The partnership will leverage DKSH’s omni-channel network to ensure product availability across modern trade, pharmacies, convenience stores, and e-commerce platforms.

Eiji Yoshida, Managing Director of Unicharm Malaysia & Singapore, expressed confidence in the partnership’s potential to deepen Unicharm’s reach in Singapore. “With DKSH’s extensive sales team structure, capillary distribution, and in-store excellence supported by insights, we are confident in driving growth and elevating the daily lives of our consumers,” he said.

Adrian Kang, Vice President of Fast Moving Consumer Goods at DKSH Singapore, highlighted the significance of the partnership in strengthening DKSH’s personal care portfolio. “This partnership reflects our commitment to delivering quality products that enrich daily life,” Kang stated.

The collaboration underscores a shared commitment to quality and innovation, aiming to enrich lives through access to high-quality products that support health, hygiene, and comfort.
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AECOM, a leading infrastructure consulting firm, is set to make a significant impact at the Asia Pacific Rail 2025 event in Bangkok, held from 28 to 29 May. As a Gold Sponsor, AECOM will present its cutting-edge digital solutions and sustainable practices aimed at revolutionising rail infrastructure projects across Asia. The firm, ranked first in the Transportation and Mass Transit and Rail categories by Engineering News-Record, is committed to advancing sustainable rail infrastructure through innovative technologies.

At the event, AECOM’s Transportation team will share insights into green strategies, cross-border collaborations, and emerging technologies.

Tim Wong, Technical Director and ESG and Sustainability Hub Lead in Hong Kong, will discuss the use of digital tools like AECOMzero and innovative construction materials to reduce carbon emissions.

C. Kamalesen Chandrasekaran, Technical Director, will highlight the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System as a model of international cooperation powered by digital transformation. Additionally, Wilson Wong, Associate Director, will address intermodal transportation solutions to tackle the last mile challenge in Asian cities.

Ian Chung, chief executive of AECOM’s Asia region, expressed enthusiasm about the company’s participation, stating, “It has been our mission at AECOM to deliver a better world using the most innovative and digital solutions to serve our clients across Asia and advance sustainable rail infrastructure.”

AECOM will also showcase projects such as the Orange Line West in Bangkok and the Northern Link project in Hong Kong, emphasising their role in strategic urban development. The firm’s presence at Booth E39 will further highlight their contributions to rail services through their Metro Hub in Malaysia and multidisciplinary teams in Hong Kong and Singapore.

With a focus on creating sustainable legacies, AECOM continues to lead in delivering innovative solutions for complex infrastructure challenges, reinforcing its position as a global infrastructure leader.
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Sanli Environmental Limited has announced a 21% increase in revenue, reaching S$157.6m for the financial year ending 31 March 2025. This growth was primarily driven by the robust performance of its Operations and Maintenance (O&M) segment, which nearly doubled its revenue. Despite this, the company’s net profit fell by 42% to S$1.7m, partly due to the lingering effects of legacy projects and increased costs.

The company’s O&M segment saw its revenue soar to S$44.2m, up from S$22.4m in the previous year. This growth highlights Sanli’s strategic focus on expanding its recurring revenue base through long-term maintenance contracts for water and wastewater plants. Meanwhile, the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) segment remained the main revenue contributor with S$110.8m, although its gross profit was impacted by higher labour and material costs.

Sanli’s Chief Executive Officer, Sim Hock Heng, noted, “Our revenue growth is a clear indicator of our team’s consistent capabilities and technical expertise to execute large-scale projects in a defensive industry.” He also emphasised the company’s commitment to rewarding shareholders with a proposed final dividend of 0.173 Singapore cents per share, constituting 30% of the net profit attributable to owners.

Looking ahead, Sanli’s order book stands at S$228.6m, with several significant EPC projects expected to be tendered in Singapore over the next year. This positions the company to capitalise on growth opportunities as Singapore continues its infrastructure investments.

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Alpha Augmented Services, a leader in software-driven supply chain optimisation, has announced a strategic partnership with a local firm in Shenzhen, China, marking a significant step in its global expansion strategy. This move not only establishes a foothold in China’s third-largest city but also strengthens its operations in Hong Kong and Singapore.

CEO and Co-Founder Massimo Rossetti highlighted Shenzhen’s importance as a logistics hub, home to major corporations like Foxconn and Huawei. “Transport optimisation is a significant competitive advantage,” he stated, emphasising the city’s role in global trade.

The partnership completes Alpha Augmented Services’ global footprint, enabling 24/7 customer support across all time zones. With offices in China, Singapore, Vietnam, India, Bahrain, Dubai, Europe, and the US, the company offers tailored, region-specific solutions. CTO and CIO Laurin Paech noted, “Global logistics never sleeps. Our global network enables us to provide local service teams in native languages.”

The collaboration is expected to accelerate business development in Asia, leveraging the Chinese partner’s network of high-level contacts. Rossetti added, “Our strategy is global, our SaaS solution is global—so of course our presence must be global as well.”

Founded in 2020, Alpha Augmented Services uses AI and machine learning to optimise supply chains, achieving cost savings and CO₂ reductions of up to 20%. The company aims to further expand its network in Asia, a key growth region, to meet increasing demand from its international clientele.
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Maybank Securities has unveiled an upgraded version of its Maybank Trade SG app, designed to provide a more intuitive and personalised trading experience for both sophisticated and everyday investors. The app, now available for download on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, integrates real-time insights, customisable tools, and access to Maybank’s award-winning research.

The revamped app aims to meet the growing demand for smarter trading solutions by offering a user-friendly interface that adapts to individual trading styles. “The launch of Maybank Trade SG marks a key step in Maybank’s digital transformation journey,” said Aditya Laroia, CEO of Maybank Securities. “By integrating advanced technology with our core strengths—proprietary research, personalised service, and seamless execution—we are empowering investors to make confident decisions.”

The app’s features include real-time market data, curated watch lists, and customised alerts, providing investors with the tools needed to manage portfolios effectively. This upgrade is part of Maybank’s broader strategy to create a unified digital ecosystem, integrating various financial services on a single platform.

Maybank Securities, part of the Maybank Investment Banking Group, continues to enhance its digital capabilities whilst maintaining its high-touch service model. The ongoing development of the app underscores Maybank’s commitment to delivering a cohesive client experience, combining banking and investing services seamlessly.
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Bruc Bond, a Singapore-based major payment institution, has unveiled a new hierarchical fee and client management system within its OSKAR platform. This development is designed to help fintech companies tackle the operational complexities of cross-border payments as the November 2025 ISO 20022 deadline approaches. The system allows financial institutions to consolidate client transactions, balances, fees, and reconciliations under a single login, regardless of geography or client structure.

The global B2B payments market is projected to grow by 40% to $124t by 2028, driven by digital payment adoption. However, fintechs face challenges due to legacy systems and regional payment rail requirements. The new OSKAR capability addresses these issues by enabling financial institutions to manage separate balances, execute transfers, and handle reconciliations through one platform. This innovation is expected to remove significant barriers to market growth for challenger banks.

Krishna Subramanyan, CEO of Bruc Bond, emphasised the importance of infrastructure in capturing the cross-border payments market. “The fintech sector has proven its ability to innovate, but capturing more of the cross-border payments market requires solving fundamental operational challenges,” he stated. A Canadian financial institution spokesperson praised the new system’s intuitive interface and operational efficiency.

As fintechs face rising interest rates and increased regulatory scrutiny, the focus is shifting from speed and user experience to building robust infrastructure for sustainable growth. Bruc Bond’s latest offering aims to level the playing field for fintechs competing with traditional banks in the evolving payments landscape.
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QuikBot Technologies has been awarded Best Startup of the Year at the Asia Tech x Singapore Enterprise Tech Awards 2025. The accolade highlights QuikBot’s innovative approach to autonomous last-mile delivery, which addresses urban challenges such as emissions, congestion, and inefficiencies. The company’s Agentic Powered Robotics Platform for Urban Logistics integrates seamlessly with smart city infrastructure, optimising delivery routes and ensuring efficient handovers.

The award, presented at Asia’s flagship technology event, acknowledges emerging companies that demonstrate entrepreneurial excellence and potential for scalable impact. QuikBot’s platform is noted for its ability to transform how goods are delivered in dense urban environments, from food and retail to healthcare and logistics.

QuikBot has successfully deployed its technology in Singapore at South Beach and Mapletree Business City. It is also officially empanelled under Changi General Hospital’s Robotic Middleware for Healthcare framework, enhancing its role in Singapore’s healthcare automation.

The company’s expansion into the United Arab Emirates began in late 2024 with partnerships with Dubai CommerCity and Aramex. In 2025, QuikBot signed a strategic agreement with the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority to deploy its platform at Dubai Silicon Oasis, marking a significant step in global smart city development.

Alan Ng, Founder and CEO of QuikBot Technologies, expressed pride in the recognition, stating, “This award is a testament to the vision and grit of our team, our partners, and the forward-looking institutions that believed in our mission to redefine urban delivery.”

QuikBot’s recognition at ATxSG underscores the growing demand for sustainable automation in logistics, signalling strong momentum for smart delivery solutions worldwide.
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The National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS) has announced the launch of the Cardiovascular Ageing and Longevity programme (CRANE), the first of its kind in the Asia-Pacific region, aimed at transforming cardiac care for older adults. This initiative seeks to address the rising rates of heart disease and an ageing population in Singapore by integrating artificial intelligence, specialised geriatric-cardiac care, and cutting-edge research.

CRANE builds on the success of NHCS’s INDEPENDENCY Study, which has shown promising results in improving seniors’ strength and mobility. The programme will utilise advanced smart technology to swiftly identify frailty indicators and integrate cardiac and geriatric expertise to enhance patient outcomes. It also focuses on innovative research into ageing biomarkers to improve the quality of life for cardiac patients.

Professor Yeo Khung Keong, CEO of NHCS, stated, “This initiative positions Singapore at the forefront of cardiovascular care for our seniors.” The programme aims to develop and evaluate targeted interventions for older adults, focusing on advancing the biological aspects of cardiovascular ageing and exploring gender differences in these mechanisms.

CRANE will also transform clinical care delivery with comprehensive models designed for older adults, incorporating advanced frailty assessment protocols and innovative health monitoring systems. Associate Professor Angela Koh, Director of CRANE, emphasised the programme’s mission to integrate scientific discoveries with practical clinical applications to maintain cardiovascular health and enhance the quality of life for older adults.

In addition to clinical advancements, NHCS plans to establish an education framework to address knowledge gaps in geriatric cardiology, fostering collaboration among healthcare professionals. This initiative is expected to significantly impact Singapore’s ageing population and contribute valuable insights to the broader medical community in the Asia-Pacific region.
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UnionPay International (UPI) and CIMB Bank Berhad have signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance payment services in Malaysia. This strategic partnership aims to improve the payment experience for UnionPay cardholders, particularly in sectors such as retail, transportation, medical care, and e-commerce. UPI will provide CIMB merchants with access to its security authentication service, optimising Malaysia’s e-commerce and digital payment environment..

The signing ceremony was attended by key figures from both organisations, including Dong Junfeng, Chairman of China UnionPay and UnionPay International, and Gurdip Singh Sidhu, CEO of CIMB Malaysia and CIMB Bank Berhad. Dong Junfeng highlighted the significance of the collaboration, stating, “UnionPay has been operating in Malaysia for over 20 years. This collaboration with CIMB represents an important step in advancing UnionPay’s payment network in Malaysia.”

Gurdip Singh Sidhu emphasised CIMB’s commitment to enhancing payment solutions, noting that the partnership allows for greater ASEAN-China and global solutions coverage. The collaboration aligns with recent agreements between China and Malaysia to foster productivity cooperation and extend visa exemptions, further supporting bilateral exchanges.

The partnership will expand UnionPay’s presence among CIMB merchants, including petrol stations, transportation ticket counters, and shopping centre parking systems. With over 90% of local merchants already accepting UnionPay cards, the initiative aims to improve customer experience and payment acceptance. UnionPay has issued more than 10 million cards in Malaysia and launched three e-wallets to promote interoperability with local networks, solidifying its position as a preferred payment brand for local and cross-border transactions.

Malaysia is a model of payment interconnection and interoperability amongst countries including China, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia and Laos.

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