Industry News

OCBC and Marriott International have announced a strategic partnership to aid 12,000 small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) suppliers in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. The collaboration focuses on providing timely access to working capital and supporting sustainable business practices. Suppliers using Marriott’s procurement platform will benefit from digital invoice financing with same-day approval from OCBC, addressing the urgent need for cash flow amidst rising cost pressures.

The partnership allows SMEs to receive up to 80% of their invoice amount without needing to submit bank statements or financial reports. This streamlined process helps optimise cash flow, enabling businesses to seize growth opportunities more effectively. Since the programme’s inception in 2023, OCBC has disbursed approximately S$250m in loans to SMEs in Singapore and Malaysia.

In addition to financial support, OCBC will assist suppliers in establishing a baseline measurement of their sustainability performance. Partnering with EcoVadis, the bank will offer training and workshops to enhance sustainability practices. Suppliers can also access sustainability-linked loans, incentivising improvements in their sustainability metrics.

Marriott International is committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The partnership with OCBC aligns with this goal, empowering suppliers to contribute to Marriott’s sustainability efforts. Rashida Ismail from OCBC emphasised the importance of supporting SMEs in their growth and sustainability journeys, whilst Cristiano Rinaldi of Marriott highlighted the need for a collaborative approach to tackling climate change.

The programme, launched in Singapore and Malaysia in 2025, will expand to Indonesia in the first half of 2026.

The Singapore Exchange (SGX) has unveiled its list of the 30 most traded non-Straits Times Index (STI) stocks for the second half of 2025. These stocks, spanning all 12 sectors, collectively hold a market capitalisation of S$74b. Notably, the list includes three newcomers: YZJ Maritime, NTT DC REIT, and Centurion Accommodation REIT (CAREIT), with total returns since listing ranging from 17% for CAREIT to a 3% decline for NTT DC REIT.

The 27 stocks that were already listed in the first half of 2025 saw their average daily turnover (ADT) rise from S$115m to S$180m in the second half, with a 30% average total return. These stocks also experienced a net institutional inflow of S$76m, building on the S$90m from the first half. CSE Global led the net institutional inflow-to-market cap ratio, with its ADT increasing from S$1.4m to S$5.8m.

Among the 30 stocks, seven real estate investment trusts (REITs) stood out with a combined market capitalisation of S$19.5b and a 2H25 ADT of S$53.1m. Despite a net institutional outflow of S$135m, Suntec REIT, Lendlease Global Commercial REIT, and Keppel REIT recorded positive net inflows and total returns of 25%, 25%, and 23%, respectively.

The technology sector also made a significant impact, with CSE Global, iFAST Corporation, and Frencken Group leading in net institutional inflow relative to market capitalisation. The sector’s ADT surged to S$44.4m, more than doubling from the first half of the year.

These developments highlight the dynamic nature of Singapore’s stock market, with significant institutional interest and trading activity beyond the STI.

Lincotrade & Associates Holdings Limited has successfully completed a share placement, raising S$2.2m through the issuance of 10 million shares at S$0.22 each. The placement, priced at a 3.14% premium over the last traded market day, attracted significant interest from institutional investors, including Lion Global Investors Limited, ICH Synergrowth Fund, and Ginko-AGT Global Growth Fund.

The funds raised will be utilised for working capital purposes, as the company continues to expand its order book, which reached a record S$113m as of 30 September 2025. This increase is largely attributed to new contract wins valued at S$61m, all of which are commercial projects in Singapore expected to be completed over the next two years.

Jackie Soh Loong Chow, CEO of Lincotrade, expressed satisfaction with the placement’s success, stating, “We are pleased to announce the successful completion of our share placement at a price premium, garnering support from prominent institution investors. Though modest in scale, we believe it is an endorsement of our strategic vision and future prospects ahead.”

The company, specialising in interior fitting-out services, aims to leverage this momentum to drive sustainable value creation for its stakeholders. With a strategic focus on commercial projects, Lincotrade anticipates that the new contracts will positively impact its financial results over the contract duration.

Esther Lee has been appointed as the new Managing Director of Jobstreet in Singapore, announced by SEEK, the parent company of Jobstreet and Jobsdb. Previously serving as SEEK’s Head of APAC Commercial Growth, Lee pioneered the SmartHire pay-per-hire solution across Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. In her new role, she will focus on leveraging AI technology and local market insights to enhance Jobstreet’s position as a leading employment marketplace in Singapore.

Chook Yuh Yng, SEEK’s Director of Asia Sales and APAC Service, expressed confidence in Lee’s capabilities, stating, “Esther’s deep understanding of the region’s job markets and business culture, developed over her decade with us, positions her perfectly to drive Jobstreet’s growth in Singapore.” Lee’s extensive experience includes roles in Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Jakarta, and Melbourne, where she managed transformation strategies and drove operational excellence.

Lee, who has been with SEEK since 2014, previously served as Acting Managing Director of Jobstreet in Indonesia, where she achieved significant business improvements. She commented, “With Singapore’s position as Asia’s business hub and gateway to Southeast Asia, there is immense potential for us to expand Jobstreet’s impact in making those connections.”

Jobstreet, operated by SEEK, has been a prominent employment marketplace in Singapore since 1999, combining local expertise with SEEK’s AI technology to connect jobseekers and employers across the Asia Pacific. Lee’s appointment is expected to further strengthen Jobstreet’s market presence and facilitate meaningful career connections in Singapore.

The Singapore Eye Research Institute (SERI) and Santen Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. have unveiled the Santen-SERI Open Innovation Centre (SONIC) 2.0, a collaboration focused on advancing therapies for major eye diseases. This initiative, valued at S$21m, seeks to accelerate the development of first-in-class, disease-modifying treatments for conditions such as glaucoma, presbyopia, and myopia.

Building on a strategic partnership that began in 2014, SONIC 2.0 follows the success of SONIC 1.0, a S$37m programme that ran from 2017 to 2023. The new collaboration combines Santen’s pharmaceutical expertise with SERI’s clinical research capabilities, aiming to deliver innovative treatments that address significant unmet clinical needs.

The partnership is set to strengthen Singapore’s position as a leading regional centre for ophthalmic innovation. “Together, we established a strong foundation for translational ophthalmic research by combining scientific excellence, clinical expertise, and industry innovation,” said Tin Aung, CEO of the Singapore National Eye Centre.

SONIC 2.0 will focus on four strategic research themes: discovering novel therapeutic concepts for glaucoma, establishing advanced pre-clinical models for presbyopia, improving myopia treatments, and investigating anti-scarring agents for multi-disease applications. The programme is expected to run from December 2025 to November 2028, with joint investment from both Santen and SERI.

This collaboration not only aims to deliver commercial-ready innovations but also seeks to enhance Singapore’s biomedical R&D leadership, ultimately benefiting patients with earlier access to innovative treatments and improved outcomes.

Skylink Holdings, one of Singapore’s largest commercial vehicle leasing companies, has announced the acquisition of 132 commercial vehicles from a third-party seller. This strategic move aims to provide an immediate recurring revenue stream and optimise the company’s fleet replacement cycles. The acquisition is part of Skylink’s broader strategy to enhance its market competitiveness and long-term growth objectives.

The newly acquired vehicles will be integrated into Skylink’s existing contracts, which have secured a minimum non-cancellable contract amount of $18.3m (S$25m) as of 30 September 2025, with $12.1m (S$16.6m) to be recognised within a year. The company’s engineering segment will also benefit from additional service contracts, as the seller is required to provide a three-month warranty and cover repair and maintenance costs for the fleet.

Skylink’s Non-Independent Non-Executive Chairman, Teh Wing Kwan, highlighted the importance of aligning fleet investment plans with the operational needs of corporate clients. “Our corporate clients typically focus on business feasibility in their long-term leasing decisions with us,” he stated. Meanwhile, CEO Wesley Shen emphasised the initiative’s potential to generate immediate revenue with zero client acquisition cost, leveraging Skylink’s growing customer base and high utilisation rates.

The expansion is supported by Skylink’s engineering facilities, which include a total workshop area of 33,300 square feet, with an additional 15,000 square feet recently leased at Jurong Port Road. This infrastructure will facilitate the company’s ability to provide bodywork repair and maintenance services, further enhancing its business performance.

The Republic of Singapore Yacht Club (RSYC) is set to dazzle Singapore’s West Coast with its Christmas Boat Light-Up Parade on 13 December 2025. The event, running from 6 to 9pm, will transform the marina along 52 West Coast Ferry Road into a festive wonderland, showcasing a fleet of illuminated yachts adorned with Christmas trees, fairy lights, and nautical decorations.

The parade is part of RSYC’s month-long Christmas Light-Up of the Clubhouse, which begins on 5 December. This annual event aims to celebrate the festive season by illuminating the club’s heritage marina. The light-up promises to offer a unique visual spectacle, with shimmering reflections dancing across the water, providing a captivating experience for both the public and media.

Visitors can enjoy the parade from the West Coast promenade or the shoreline, ensuring a memorable festive experience. The RSYC’s initiative not only highlights the club’s commitment to celebrating the holiday season but also enhances the festive atmosphere in Singapore’s West Coast area.

The Christmas Boat Light-Up Parade is expected to attract a significant number of visitors, offering a unique opportunity to experience the magic of the holidays in a maritime setting. As the RSYC continues to light up the festive season, the event underscores the club’s role in bringing the community together through innovative and engaging celebrations.

JLand Group, the real estate and infrastructure arm of Johor Corporation, has launched the Ibrahim Technopolis (IBTEC), a 7,290-acre integrated development in Johor, Malaysia. Officially inaugurated by Tunku Abdul Rahman Al-Haj Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, the Tunku Panglima of Johor, IBTEC is set to be a key economic driver within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone.

IBTEC is designed to integrate medtech, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, logistics, data centres, and agritech into a cohesive innovation ecosystem. Supported by research and development capabilities and sustainable systems, the development aims to elevate Johor’s industrial base into higher-value, tech-enabled activities. Datuk Syed Mohamed Syed Ibrahim, President and CEO of JCorp and Chairman of JLand Group, described IBTEC as “an investment for the next generation” and a signal of Johor’s readiness to compete globally.

The development is positioned as a world-scale innovation sandbox, allowing industry, government, and innovators to pilot and scale new solutions. It is Malaysia’s first 5-Diamond-rated data centre park under the national Low Carbon City Framework, featuring Livilab at Exclaim Discovery City, a mixed-use nucleus designed by Zaha Hadid Architects.

Structured as an investor-ready platform, IBTEC aligns with national and state agendas, including the 13th Malaysia Plan and Johor’s Maju Johor 2030 aspirations. Datuk Sr Akmal Ahmad, Group Managing Director of JLand Group, emphasised that IBTEC will facilitate faster investor entry and growth.

As IBTEC develops, it is expected to create higher-value jobs, enhance SME participation, and offer new opportunities for local entrepreneurs, contributing to Malaysia’s transition to a high-income economy. “We will measure IBTEC’s success not only by the investments it attracts but by how it helps Malaysians and Johoreans move up the value chain,” said Datuk Sr Akmal.
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Digital Realty, a leading global provider of data centre solutions, has partnered with BW Digital to enhance cross-border connectivity between Singapore and Batam, Indonesia. This collaboration involves the integration of BW Digital’s Nongsa Changi Cable System (NCC) with Digital Realty’s SIN12 data centre, aiming to support the growing demand for AI and digital transformation in the region.

The partnership will see the direct landing of the NCC submarine cable into Digital Realty’s SIN12 facility, significantly boosting network resilience and capacity. This enhanced interconnection is expected to facilitate faster and more reliable data exchange, crucial for enterprises expanding across Southeast Asia. The NCC is designed to deliver over 1.6 petabits per second of new capacity with less than 2 milliseconds latency to Singapore, making it a strategic hub for hyperscale and AI infrastructure.

Digital Realty’s Managing Director and Head of Asia Pacific, Serene Nah, highlighted the importance of subsea networks in the region’s digital economy, stating, “By integrating BW Digital’s Nongsa–Changi system into SIN12, we are working to deliver faster and more resilient connectivity to support customers as they scale next-generation workloads.”

BW Digital’s Chief Business Officer, Virginie Frouin, emphasised the partnership’s role in bridging the gap between submarine cable infrastructure and land-based digital platforms, aiming to provide reliable and secure connectivity.

AJJ Healthcare Management, a subsidiary of AJJ Medtech Holdings Limited, has entered into a strategic partnership with Suzhou ZOEY Medical Devices to develop and produce hollow fibre haemodialysers in Singapore. This collaboration marks AJJ’s entry into the renal dialysis value chain, offering a cost-competitive alternative to current imported dialysis products, potentially saving patients between 10% and 30%.

The partnership leverages AJJ’s ISO 13485-certified quality infrastructure and OEM management platform, enabling the company to expand into the high-value renal care sector. This move is part of AJJ’s strategic transformation from a trader to a system-driven medical manufacturing and registration platform. The collaboration is expected to address the rising treatment costs in Singapore’s healthcare system without compromising quality.

Singapore’s haemodialysis market, serving approximately 7,800 patients, presents a significant opportunity for AJJ. The recurring nature of dialysis treatments ensures a stable demand, providing a solid foundation for long-term revenue. The partnership also promises to bring solutions to market 12 to 18 months faster than conventional approaches, thanks to AJJ’s integrated OEM framework.

The collaboration is built on strong quality standards, with both parties maintaining ISO 13485-certified systems. AJJ retains audit rights and will benefit from supply arrangements that provide access to future product innovations. The financial impact is expected to be minimal for FY2025, with significant contributions anticipated from the second half of 2026, following successful Health Sciences Authority approval.