Industry News

The Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) has announced a series of new academic programmes and enhanced learning pathways for the 2026 academic year, aimed at bolstering Singapore’s workforce in the green and digital sectors. These initiatives include the Applied Sustainability Talent Programme (ASTP), new minors in Entrepreneurship and Artificial Intelligence, and a revamped Master of Health Sciences.

The ASTP is designed to develop “Sustainability Catalysts” by offering a Second Major in Applied Sustainability. This programme, developed in collaboration with industry leaders, aims to equip students with the skills needed to drive sustainable practices across various sectors. Participants will engage in a practice-driven curriculum, complete an industry-linked project, and partake in overseas immersion programmes.

In addition, SIT is introducing minors in Entrepreneurship and Artificial Intelligence. The Minor in Entrepreneurship builds on the SIT Entrepreneurship Education and Development (SEED) Programme, fostering entrepreneurial skills through applied learning and industry collaboration. Meanwhile, the Minor in Artificial Intelligence aims to provide students with the foundational knowledge to utilise AI in their respective fields, culminating in an industry-linked project.

SIT is also enhancing its Master of Health Sciences with a Competency-based Stackable Micro-credential pathway, allowing healthcare professionals to continuously upskill and adapt to emerging community needs.

Professor Chua Kee Chaing, President of SIT, stated, “Together, these programmes reflect how education must evolve to meet changing workforce needs.” The university will host its Open House on 7 and 8 February, offering prospective students a glimpse into its applied learning curriculum and industry partnerships. Applications for undergraduate admission open from 8 January to 19 March 2026.

HDB resale prices in Singapore experienced a 1.2% increase in January 2026, accompanied by a 15.1% rise in resale volumes, according to the latest report from 99.co and SRX. This rebound is attributed to the typical post-year-end market normalisation, as December often sees reduced activity due to holidays and deferred buying decisions.

The report highlights that prices in Mature Estates rose by 0.9%, whilst Non-Mature Estates saw a 0.7% increase. By room type, 3-room, 4-room, and 5-room flats experienced price hikes of 1.2%, 1.4%, and 0.9%, respectively, whereas Executive flats saw a 2% decrease. Year-on-year, overall prices increased by 2.4%, with Executive flats leading the growth at 3.1%.

A total of 2,351 HDB resale flats were transacted in January, marking a 0.9% increase compared to the same month last year. Notably, 58.8% of these transactions occurred in Non-Mature Estates. The highest resale price was S$1.56m for a 5-room flat at The Pinnacle @ Duxton, whilst the top price in Non-Mature Estates was S$1.18m for an Executive flat in Bukit Batok.

Additionally, 146 flats were sold for at least S$1m, slightly up from 145 in December. Queenstown led with 23 million-dollar transactions, followed by Toa Payoh and Bukit Merah with 20 and 17, respectively. These figures underscore the steady demand and resilience of the HDB resale market.

AIMS APAC REIT Management Limited has announced a 2.5% year-on-year increase in Distribution per Unit (DPU) to 7.250 Singapore cents for the nine months ending 31 December 2025. The REIT’s net property income rose by 4.1% to S$103.7m, driven by higher rental reversions and cost efficiencies.

The portfolio’s occupancy rate improved to 95.4%, with rental reversions at 8.0% for the period. The completion of the Framework Building acquisition and contributions from portfolio rejuvenation initiatives have bolstered the REIT’s resilience and growth prospects. CEO Russell Ng highlighted the strategic capital management efforts, including the issuance of S$150m in perpetual securities at a competitive rate of 4.1%, which enhances financial flexibility.

Chairman George Wang emphasised the REIT’s strong foundation and readiness to explore future growth opportunities, aiming for long-term sustainable returns for unitholders. The portfolio, supported by 188 tenants across various sectors, benefits from a high-quality, diversified tenant base, with 82.7% of gross rental income from essential and defensive industries.

Looking ahead, the Manager plans to focus on growth opportunities in key markets and industries, leveraging its robust balance sheet and strategic investments. With 65% of borrowings hedged and a significant portion of Australian income secured against currency fluctuations, AIMS APAC REIT is well-positioned to navigate economic uncertainties and pursue further acquisitions and organic growth initiatives.

Robeco has announced the registration of three actively-managed fixed income strategies for retail investors in Hong Kong and Singapore. The strategies—Robeco Credit Income, Robeco High Yield Bonds, and Robeco QI Dynamic High Yield—are now available for distribution partners to activate in these markets. Previously accessible on private banking platforms, these strategies aim to offer quality and resilience to retail investors.

The Robeco Credit Income Strategy, launched in 2018, is designed to meet the demand for income among Asian clients. It adopts a global approach, sourcing yield across investment-grade credit and high-quality segments of global high yield and emerging markets. The strategy incorporates sustainability analysis alongside traditional credit analysis and is managed by Evert Giesen and Jan Willem Knoll. As of December 2025, it managed $2.25b in assets, with over half sourced from Asian clients.

For those seeking high yield exposure, Robeco offers the High Yield Bonds Strategy, managed by Sander Bus and Roeland Moraal. This strategy focuses on quality, aiming to avoid losses and reduce drawdowns during market downturns. Robeco manages $12.7b in fundamental high yield bond strategies as of September 2025.

The Robeco QI Dynamic High Yield Strategy, operational since 2014, invests in Credit Default Swap indices and government bonds. It uses a dynamic timing model to allocate risk, offering liquidity in an otherwise illiquid asset class. Dawn Foo, Regional Head of Wholesale Distribution, Asia-ex Japan at Robeco, stated, “These strategies bring compelling opportunities for those seeking quality and resilience.”

Robeco, with a history in fixed income investing dating back to the 1970s, managed $75.2b in fixed income assets by the end of September 2025.

Space Summit 2026 wrapped up in Singapore, uniting government leaders, national space agencies, industry executives, researchers, and investors to explore the priorities of a globally interconnected space ecosystem. Held at Marina Bay Sands, the inaugural event attracted over 2,000 participants and featured more than 300 companies and organisations. Discussions centred on the growing role of space technologies in economic development, national resilience, and sustainability.

The summit highlighted the Asia-Pacific region’s expanding influence in the global space economy. Discussions underscored the shift from experimental projects to operational capabilities that address real-world needs. Speakers emphasised the necessity of clear policies, scalable supply chains, and robust partnerships to foster sustainable growth and attract private investment.

Another key theme was the need for stronger coordination across national programmes and stakeholders. Panellists stressed the importance of aligning national space priorities and enhancing collaboration between governments, industry, and research institutions. Shared standards and interoperable systems were deemed essential to improve efficiency and ensure the responsible use of space.

The summit also focused on transitioning from data collection to delivering real-world impact through Earth observation. Discussions highlighted the role of Earth observation in environmental monitoring, climate resilience, and infrastructure planning, advocating for data-sharing frameworks to maximise impact.

Leck Chet Lam, Managing Director of Experia Events, stated, “Space systems are now fundamental to how economies function and societies operate.” The summit will return on 25 and 26 February 2027, continuing to facilitate international dialogue on the future of the space industry.

Singapore’s workforce is grappling with a significant gap between the ideal of workplace happiness and the reality, according to a new study by Jobstreet by SEEK. The Workplace Happiness Index: Singapore, conducted with research agency Nature, surveyed 1,000 respondents aged 18 to 64. The findings reveal that only 56% of Singaporean workers describe themselves as happy at work, placing the country among the lowest in the Asia Pacific region.

The study highlights that whilst salary is a key factor, with 64% of respondents indicating higher pay would boost happiness, long-term satisfaction is more strongly influenced by purpose, growth, and recognition. Despite this, only half of the workers feel satisfied with their sense of purpose, and a mere 37% are positive about career progression.

Burnout is a critical issue, with nearly half of the respondents feeling exhausted by their jobs. Interestingly, even among those who report happiness, 41% still experience burnout, particularly those earning over S$6,000 monthly. The report also uncovers disparities in happiness levels across gender and age groups, with men and Baby Boomers reporting higher satisfaction than women and Millennials.

Esther Lee, Managing Director of Jobstreet by SEEK in Singapore, emphasised the need for systemic changes in workplace culture. “Employers need to focus on systems and culture, addressing purpose, progression, and recognition to combat burnout and improve retention,” she stated. The study suggests that aligning daily work with organisational missions and providing meaningful recognition could enhance workplace happiness and productivity.

VICOM Ltd has officially opened its new Integrated Hub at Jalan Papan, a S$60m, five-storey facility designed to enhance its vehicle inspection and non-vehicle testing capabilities. This state-of-the-art hub aims to support Singapore’s evolving testing, inspection, and certification industry by integrating advanced testing technology and optimising operational efficiency.

The facility, located in Jurong, consolidates VICOM’s vehicle inspection and non-vehicle testing services under one roof. With upgraded equipment and an optimised layout, VICOM’s subsidiary, JIC Inspection Pte Ltd, is set to improve its inspection processes, managing increased demand more efficiently. The hub also expands SETSCO’s laboratory space, enabling the development of innovative testing capabilities to meet rising industrial demands.

In line with its commitment to sustainability, the hub features high energy efficiency, solar panels, and EV chargers, earning the Building and Construction Authority Green Mark Platinum Award. VICOM CEO Sim Wing Yew stated, “The Jalan Papan Integrated Hub gives VICOM and SETSCO a strong foundation to grow and strengthen our skills to support our new partners, boost technological resources and reaffirm our dedication to delivering professional testing services.”

The hub is part of VICOM’s broader strategy to adapt to the automotive industry’s shift towards electrification and the increasing complexity of industrial testing. Operations at the facility will commence on 16 February 2026, with full operations expected by the second half of the year.

FedEx team members across Asia Pacific have mobilised over 900 volunteers in a significant community impact effort, contributing more than 750 volunteer hours and donating nearly 2,500 kilograms of essential supplies. This initiative, part of the annual FedEx Cares Purple Tote Campaign, took place between October and December 2025, involving collaboration with over 15 non-profit organisations (NGOs) across 10 markets, including Singapore, Japan, and Australia.

The campaign, which saw a 13% increase in volunteer participation from the previous year, provided aid to over 350 individuals, including children with leukaemia, the elderly, and families affected by natural disasters. FedEx Singapore, for instance, supported Club Rainbow by donating 97 kilograms of supplies, benefiting more than 80 individuals.

Salil Chari, President of Asia Pacific at FedEx, emphasised the importance of community action, stating, “Community is built through action, and the annual FedEx Cares Purple Tote Campaign is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we come together to help others.”

The campaign highlights the growing emphasis on social impact within the workplace, driven by local community needs and cross-border collaboration. FedEx’s commitment to community support is further demonstrated by its global contributions in FY25, which included $55.5m to nonprofit initiatives and over 81,000 volunteer hours.

FedEx continues to encourage its team members worldwide to engage in volunteer activities, promoting charitable giving and in-kind shipping services to support the communities where they live and work.

The luxury property market in Singapore experienced significant growth in 2025, driven by an influx of ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) seeking safe havens amidst global geopolitical tensions. According to Huttons Asia’s Prestige Report, the demand for luxury non-landed homes surged by 41.3% year-on-year, with 294 units sold compared to 208 in 2024. The total value of these transactions reached $2.6b, marking a 55.9% increase from the previous year.

Interest in new luxury non-landed homes more than doubled, spurred by new project launches such as 21 Anderson, Skywaters Residences, and UPPERHOUSE at Orchard Boulevard. The number of transactions valued at $10 million and above also doubled, with 27 deals recorded in 2025.

The Good Class Bungalow (GCB) market remained stable, with a total transacted value of $1.3b, slightly down by 5.2% from 2024. Despite a weakening rental demand for GCBs, some tenants opted to purchase luxury homes after obtaining citizenship or permanent residency.

Looking ahead, the Monetary Authority of Singapore and the Ministry for Trade and Industry anticipate that ongoing geopolitical tensions could lead to more UHNWIs relocating to Singapore in 2026. This trend is expected to sustain growth in the luxury non-landed homes market, whilst the GCB market may see increased transactions as owners consider cashing out due to high property taxes and lower tenant demand.

Singapore’s tourism sector achieved record-breaking growth in the first three quarters of 2025, with tourism receipts reaching S$23.9b, marking a 6.5% increase from 2024. This surge in revenue is attributed to a rise in international visitor arrivals, which totalled 16.9 million, a 2.3% increase compared to the previous year. Mainland China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, and India were the top contributors to this growth.

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) credits the increase in tourism receipts to enhanced visitor experiences and a diverse range of attractions. Melissa Ow, Chief Executive of STB, stated, “We are attracting visitors who value the distinctive experiences that Singapore offers. To maintain this growth momentum, we will continue to develop a strong pipeline of differentiated products, events, and experiences.”

Key contributors to the tourism receipts included Sightseeing, Entertainment, Gaming, and Food and Beverage sectors, each showing a 15% growth. Mainland China led the TR-generating markets, contributing S$3.68b, followed by Indonesia and Australia.

The hotel industry also saw stable performance, with an average occupancy rate of 81.9% and the addition of 644 new hotel keys. The cruise industry reported 375 ship calls and over 2 million passenger throughput, reinforcing Singapore’s position as a leading cruise hub.

New attractions and events, such as Rainforest Wild and the FORMULA 1 Singapore Grand Prix, played a significant role in boosting visitor spending. The MICE industry further contributed with major events like the Milken Institute Asia Summit, enhancing Singapore’s reputation as a premier business events destination.