Industry News

Food Innovators Holdings Limited (FIH) has unveiled Rodeo Table, a pioneering Japanese-inspired Tex-Mex restaurant in Singapore. Located at City Hall, the restaurant aims to attract a diverse clientele, including office professionals, tourists, and local residents, by offering a fusion of Mexican and American flavours with oriental influences.

The restaurant, developed in collaboration with K2 Operations Singapore Pte. Ltd., features a menu that blends Japanese flavours with traditional Tex-Mex elements. Signature dishes include original taco creations and live cooking performances of sizzling fajitas, providing an interactive dining experience. The strategic partnership allows FIH to hold full equity in the restaurant, whilst K2 Operations manages its operations under a profit-sharing arrangement.

Rodeo Table occupies a 1,000-square-foot space with a seating capacity of 46 guests. Its location near historical landmarks like the Raffles Hotel is expected to benefit from high foot traffic, supported by Singapore’s robust tourism sector. The opening aligns with FIH’s strategy to expand its innovative food concepts across key markets, having already launched seven new restaurants in 2025.

Chief Executive Officer Kubota Yasuaki stated, “Rodeo Table serves as a testament to our commitment to developing concepts that are distinctive. By pairing Tex-Mex traditions with Japanese culinary influences, we are tapping into new dining segments that offer a unique dining experience to capture a broader customer base.”

FIH plans to explore overseas expansion opportunities once the concept gains traction locally, further enhancing its portfolio of multicultural dining experiences.

DBS has become the first Singapore bank to be appointed as a Renminbi (RMB) clearing bank by the Chinese central bank, marking a significant enhancement in its RMB capabilities. The bank also received approval to operate in China’s onshore over-the-counter (OTC) bond market, announced during the Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation meeting in Chongqing on 15 December.

These developments allow DBS to offer more comprehensive RMB solutions, catering to clients seeking to diversify currency risk. With direct access to China’s onshore RMB liquidity, DBS can provide efficient RMB settlement services and facilitate cross-border financial activities. This move is expected to boost investment connectivity and financial innovation across the region.

DBS’s new status enables it to offer a wider range of RMB-denominated instruments and seamless solutions across both onshore and offshore markets. Leveraging Singapore’s position as a global foreign exchange centre, the bank aims to enhance liquidity access and settlement options for its clients.

The bank’s existing capabilities in facilitating cross-border RMB investment are further strengthened. DBS China has been a direct participant in the Cross-Border Interbank Payment System since 2015, and DBS Singapore joined as an overseas direct participant in September 2025.

Lim Soon Chong, Group Head of Global Transaction Services at DBS, expressed honour at the appointment, stating it would enhance liquidity and settlement capabilities for clients. Andrew Ng, Group Head of Global Financial Markets, highlighted the strengthened ability to support clients in China’s financial markets, facilitating regional economic activities and increasing market access.

These advancements position DBS to better serve its clients and contribute to the integration of China’s capital markets with the global financial system.

Singaporeans are gearing up for international travel in the first quarter of 2026, with China, Japan, and Malaysia emerging as the top destinations, according to Trip.com. The travel service provider’s data reveals that these countries are popular due to major festive celebrations like Lunar New Year and Hari Raya Puasa, alongside favourable exchange rates. Theme parks such as Shanghai Disney Resort, Universal Studios Japan, and Tokyo DisneySEA are the most booked attractions.

Trip.com General Manager, Edmund Ong, noted, “The first quarter of 2026 brings major festive celebrations such as Lunar New Year and Hari Raya. Boosted by the multiple family-centric holidays and favourable exchange rates, China, Japan and Malaysia have emerged as the top destinations for Singaporean travellers, with theme parks standing out as the most popular attractions.”

Mid-haul flights, covering distances between 2,000 km and 5,000 km, account for 50% of all bookings, highlighting a preference for destinations like Tokyo, Taipei, and Seoul. Short-haul flights make up 32%, whilst long-haul flights constitute 18%.

Bangkok, Tokyo, and Kuala Lumpur are the top city choices for Singaporean travellers. The trend underscores a blend of cultural and leisure interests, with theme parks continuing to captivate visitors. Trip.com offers over 300,000 bookable activities worldwide, enhancing its position as a leading travel platform.

Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group has announced a 2.6% increase in passenger traffic for November 2025 compared to the previous year, surpassing the 2.2% rise in passenger capacity. The passenger load factor (PLF) for the group reached 87.3%, a 0.3 percentage point improvement from the same period last year. SIA and its low-cost subsidiary, Scoot, achieved monthly PLFs of 86.4% and 90.7%, respectively, carrying a combined total of 3.5 million passengers, marking a 6.0% increase year-on-year.

The group’s cargo operations also saw significant growth, with a 12.4% rise in cargo carriage, driven by the year-end peak demand and increased freighter aircraft contributions. Cargo loads expanded by 8.1%, outpacing the 1.6% increase in cargo capacity, resulting in a cargo load factor of 60.2%, up 3.6 percentage points from the previous year.

In November, Scoot launched new passenger services to Nha Trang, Vietnam, whilst SIA resumed its seasonal services to Sapporo (Chitose), Japan. By the end of the month, the group’s passenger network spanned 131 destinations across 37 countries and territories, with SIA serving 79 destinations and Scoot covering 76. The cargo network included 135 destinations in 38 countries and territories.

These developments highlight SIA Group’s continued recovery and expansion in both passenger and cargo sectors, positioning the airline for further growth as it adapts to changing market demands.

Singapore has emerged as the most attractive market for new business creation in Asia, according to the Asia Startup Index Study released by Intuit QuickBooks. The study assessed 24 countries across 17 indicators, highlighting Singapore’s superior digital infrastructure, talent pool, and efficient business environment as key factors in its top ranking.

The Republic secured the highest scores in both infrastructure and talent categories, boasting world-class broadband speeds and a highly educated workforce. It also placed second in business landscape strength, indicating a stable and supportive environment for both local and international entrepreneurs. The study’s top 10 rankings include China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, with Singapore leading the pack.

Key metrics evaluated in the study included internet speed, foreign direct investment, and private credit depth, alongside labour market indicators such as unemployment and wages. Cost factors like rent, living expenses, and corporate tax rates were also considered.

Industry expert Lily Tan, Managing Director of TnB Global Outsource Pte Ltd, commented on the findings, stating, “If you don’t change now, the world will change you. As we look ahead to Singapore’s 2025 economic outlook, entrepreneurs should view this as a pivotal time to adapt, embrace technology and uncover new opportunities.”

The study underscores Singapore’s continued appeal as a startup hub, driven by its robust infrastructure and talent advantages, even as other regional markets strive to enhance their competitiveness.

Fullerton Fund Management and SGX Group have unveiled the Fullerton / SGX Value-Up Singapore Equities Challenge, a new programme designed to immerse tertiary students in the realities of investing. The challenge, which runs from 26 January to 6 March 2026, offers participants a six-week trading simulation and culminates in an in-person stock pitch final at SGX Centre on 2 April 2026.

The initiative seeks to promote financial literacy among students aged 18 and above, providing them with a platform to apply investment concepts practically. Participants will compete for cash prizes totalling S$18,000, with the top three teams receiving S$10,000, S$5,000, and S$3,000, respectively. Additionally, the challenge offers up to five internship opportunities at Fullerton, potentially leading to permanent analyst roles.

Jenny Sofian, CEO of Fullerton Fund Management, emphasised the company’s commitment to nurturing future investment talent, stating, “We are proud to offer tertiary students hands-on exposure to the asset management industry.” Ng Yao Loong, Head of Equities at SGX Group, added, “This initiative allows participants to step into the real world of investing.”

The challenge also introduces the InvestSG community platform, fostering a supportive learning environment for participants. Registration is open until 23 January 2026, with the programme set against the backdrop of broader stock market reforms aimed at enhancing Singapore’s equities market.

Singapore’s property market experienced a sharp decline in November 2025, with developers launching only 347 units, marking an 84.5% decrease from October and an 87.9% drop compared to the same period last year. The Sen, the first project in Upper Bukit Timah in five years, was the sole launch, selling 77 units at a median price of $2,339 per square foot (psf).

The total number of units sold in November was 325, a significant 86.6% decrease from October and 87.3% lower than November 2024. According to Huttons Data Analytics, developer sales excluding executive condominiums (ECs) for the first 11 months of 2025 reached 10,624 units, approximately 97% of their annual estimate.

The Rest of Central Region (RCR) saw an increase in sales proportion to 66.2%, largely due to The Sen’s launch. Seven of the top 10 projects by sales in November were in the RCR. Singaporeans dominated the market, making up 84.4% of buyers, whilst permanent residents (PRs) accounted for 12.8%.

Foreign purchases fell to nine in November, a decrease from 32 in October, with the majority in the RCR. The proportion of foreign purchases was 2.8% for the month.

Looking ahead, the market is expected to slow further in December, with sales estimated between 200 and 250 units. Coastal Cabana, an EC in Pasir Ris, is anticipated to attract significant interest when sales begin in January 2026. Huttons projects that developer sales for 2025 could reach 11,000 units, the highest since 2021, with prices forecasted to rise by 3% to 4%.

ESR-REIT has announced the proposed divestment of a portfolio comprising eight non-core properties, with CBRE representing the seller. This move comes amidst a backdrop of strong institutional investment interest in Singapore’s industrial sector, driven by the country’s economic and political stability and a robust currency. The recent decline in interest rates to their lowest levels since 2022 has further spurred acquisition appetite among investors.

CBRE’s Head of Singapore Industrial Capital Markets, Loh Lee Fen, noted the attractiveness of Singapore’s industrial market, stating, “Institutional investment interest in Singapore’s industrial sector has remained exceptionally strong throughout 2025.” She emphasised the country’s global appeal due to its stability and currency strength.

Dylan Chua, Director of Singapore Industrial Capital Markets at CBRE, added that industrial real estate in Singapore is seen as a “defensive growth sector,” benefiting from long-cycle demand and resilience against market volatility. He highlighted that occupiers in this space are typically large corporates and multinational companies with longer lease terms and strong credit profiles, resulting in predictable cash flows and deep liquidity even during market stress.

The divestment by ESR-REIT underscores the ongoing appeal of Singapore’s industrial sector to investors seeking stable and resilient investment opportunities. As interest rates remain low, the sector is likely to continue attracting significant attention from institutional investors.

The Financial Planning Association of Singapore (FPAS) and GoalsMapper have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on initiatives that aim to strengthen the financial advisory profession in Singapore. Signed on 12 December 2025, the MOU focuses on elevating industry standards and supporting the continuous professional development of financial planners.

This partnership will provide FPAS members with access to enhanced training and learning opportunities, enabling them to deliver more effective advisory outcomes. A key component of the MOU is the integration of GoalsMapper’s GM Mortgage solution, which aims to improve mortgage education within the advisory community. Given that property financing is a significant financial commitment for many, this initiative seeks to equip advisers with the necessary knowledge to offer competent and transparent advice.

Dr. Ben Fok, President of FPAS, highlighted the importance of the collaboration, stating, “Our focus has always been on the advancement of the financial planning profession. Collaborations like this enable us to introduce more pathways for skills development, raise advisory standards, and better support the evolving needs of our members.”

GoalsMapper CEO, Dato’ Wayne Chen, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, noting, “At GoalsMapper, we are committed to redefining financial planning and to empower everyone to make better financial decisions. Partnering with leading associations such as FPAS allows us to contribute to the professional growth of the advisory community.”

The MOU marks the beginning of a concerted effort to enrich industry capability, enhance advisory quality, and deliver greater value to both practitioners and the public. This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to aligning industry practices with evolving consumer needs, ultimately fostering a future-ready financial advisory ecosystem in Singapore.

Jobstreet by SEEK in Singapore has unveiled key career trends for 2025, highlighting a rise in retrenchments and a decline in job vacancies, according to Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower. As jobseekers prepare for 2026, the demand for tech roles and AI skills is at the forefront, with employers increasingly valuing these competencies.

Jobstreet’s data indicates a significant surge in applications for tech roles, with a 169% increase in the information and technology sector from November 2023 to October 2025. This trend underscores the importance of “new collar” tech skills, which blend both soft and technical abilities. Skills such as customer service, relationship management, troubleshooting, computer science, and Python programming are particularly sought after.

AI fluency has emerged as a crucial qualification, with 54% of employers considering it during hiring processes and 19% viewing it as a primary factor, according to Jobstreet’s Hiring, Compensation and Benefits 2025 report. Additionally, keyword searches for “data analysis” and “automation” in entry-level jobs have risen by 12% and 93%, respectively.

The report also highlights a shift in workplace priorities, with 49% of employees aged 25-34 indicating a change in their priorities since starting their roles. Mental health and family responsibilities have become top concerns for many workers.

As the job market evolves, fresh graduates and those returning to the workforce are encouraged to focus on attitude over experience, with 64% of employers willing to hire less experienced candidates who demonstrate a positive outlook. Looking ahead, jobseekers are advised to stay informed and adaptable to thrive in the competitive landscape of 2026.