Industry News

Ogier Global has announced the appointment of Samantha Fu as director in its Singapore office, enhancing its corporate governance capabilities for offshore investment funds. Samantha, an expert in governance solutions, will oversee a wide range of funds including hedge funds, private equity funds, and segregated portfolio companies. Her appointment is expected to bolster Ogier Global’s presence in the region.

Samantha’s career spans roles as an independent fund director with global professional services firms, providing governance solutions in the Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, and Singapore. She began her career in portfolio management for ultra-high net worth clients and was a founding team member at a private equity firm, focusing on investment strategy and regulatory licensing.

Holding an MBA and a Bachelor of Science in Economics, Samantha is a certified fund director and a member of several professional associations, including the Singapore Institute of Directors and 100 Women in Finance. Her expertise covers corporate services, investment funds, and private wealth governance.

Tervinder Chal, Managing Director of Ogier Global in Singapore, expressed enthusiasm about the appointment: “Samantha is a well-qualified and talented addition to the Ogier Global team, and we’re pleased to welcome her. I look forward to seeing Ogier Global continue to excel and grow in the region with the addition of her expertise.”

Ogier Global’s Singapore team operates independently from Ogier’s law firm, collaborating with professional services firms and legal advisers across industries such as investment funds, private wealth, and corporate law.
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Tiger Beer is celebrating Singapore’s 60th birthday with an exciting collaboration with MONOPOLY, offering Singaporeans a chance to win substantial prizes. From 1 July to 5 October, the Tiger SG60 MONOPOLY PLAY, SIP, WIN promotion will allow participants to collect Property Cards by enjoying Tiger Beer at participating merchants across the island. Collecting all properties of a single colour could lead to winning prizes totalling $600,000, including gold bars, cruise credits, and even a car.

The promotion is part of Tiger’s new local platform, ‘Our Roar, Our Way’, which celebrates the unique spirit of Singaporeans. Gerald Yeo, Marketing Director of Asia Pacific Breweries Singapore, stated, “As we mark 60 years of Singapore, we wanted to celebrate the unapologetic ways Singaporeans live. This collaboration with MONOPOLY brings that to life in a fun and familiar way.”

The festivities kick off with the ‘Our Roar, Our Way’ Lorry visiting Bugis+ on 3 July and New Bahru on 5 July, offering free beer, sorbet, and interactive games. Participants can also score a bonus Tiger MONOPOLY Digital Property Card by signing up onsite.

The promotion features both digital and physical gameplay options. Digital participants can upload receipts from Tiger Beer purchases to receive Property Cards, whilst physical cards are available at coffee shops. Prizes include a BYD Seal Dynamic, a luxury watch, and more.

For more details on the promotion and upcoming events, visit tigerbeersg60.com.
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Private home prices in Singapore saw a modest increase of 0.5% in the second quarter of 2025, according to flash estimates from the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). This represents a slowdown from the 0.8% growth recorded in the first quarter. The deceleration is largely attributed to smaller price increments for non-landed properties, which rose by 0.5%, compared to a 1.0% gain in the previous quarter. In contrast, landed property prices increased slightly faster at 0.7%, up from 0.4%.

The overall price slowdown is also linked to a 1.1% price drop in the city fringe, or Rest of Central Region (RCR), following a 1.7% rise in Q1 2025. A significant decline in sales transactions, particularly in the primary market, contributed to this trend. New launches fell sharply from 3,139 units in Q1 to fewer than 2,000 units in Q2, impacting overall price growth as new homes typically command higher prices.

Christine Sun, Chief Researcher and Strategist at Realion Group, noted that the proportion of new sale transactions dropped from 46.1% in Q1 to 26.5% in Q2, whilst resale transactions rose from 49.8% to 69.1%. The cautious consumer sentiment, influenced by macroeconomic uncertainties and geopolitical tensions, further dampened market activity.

Looking ahead, the market remains cautious due to ongoing global trade tensions and Middle East conflicts. However, the public housing market continues to support the property sector with positive price growth. Additionally, declining interest rates, as indicated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, are expected to improve affordability, creating a more favourable environment for first-time buyers and investors.
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Singapore’s property market has demonstrated resilience in the face of global trade tensions, with prices stabilising and increasing by 0.5% in the second quarter (Q2) of 2025. This comes after the US imposed a 10% tariff on almost every country, including Singapore, in April 2025, causing concerns over the export-oriented economy. According to Mark Yip, CEO of Huttons Asia, whilst some buyers hesitated, the market’s upper tier saw increased activity, with over 10 transactions for Good Class Bungalows valued at more than $300 million.

Transaction volumes, however, dipped by over 40% quarter-on-quarter to 4,267 units in Q2 2025, marking a 13.2% year-on-year decline. Despite this, the luxury segment remained robust, with projects like 21 Anderson achieving significant sales. The ultra-luxury project sold five units, with one fetching $5,347 per square foot, reflecting confidence in Singapore’s status as a safe haven.

In terms of new launches, approximately 1,400 units were introduced in Q2 2025, a 55.4% decrease from the previous quarter but more than double the number from Q2 2024. Notable projects included Arina East Residences and One Marina Gardens, which sold nine and 462 units, respectively.

Looking ahead, the swift conclusion of a trade framework between China and the US is expected to bolster market confidence. Huttons Data Analytics predicts that developers may sell between 7,500 and 8,500 units in 2025, with prices potentially rising by 4% to 7%. The upcoming months will see the launch of 16 projects, including an Executive Condominium, with more than 7,800 units expected to hit the market.
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The Housing Development Board (HDB) has reported a 0.9% increase in resale prices for the second quarter of 2025, a deceleration from the 1.6% rise in the first quarter. This marks the third consecutive slowdown in price growth, with the latest figures also trailing behind the 2.3% increase recorded in Q2 2024.

According to Christine Sun, Chief Researcher and Strategist at Realion Group, the slower price growth is evident across most flat types. For instance, 4-room flats saw a 1.3% quarter-on-quarter increase, down from 2% in Q1 2025. Similarly, 5-room flats grew by 1.2%, and 3-room flats by 2.1%, both showing a decline from the previous quarter’s growth rates.

Conversely, executive flats experienced a significant price jump of 3.8% in Q2, up from 1.5% in Q1. Notably, 116 out of 414 executive flats were sold for at least a million dollars, indicating a robust demand in this segment. The number of executive flat transactions rose to 414 units in Q2 2025, compared to 362 in Q1 2025.

The increase in Build-To-Order (BTO) supply is believed to have contributed to the slower price growth in the secondary market, offering buyers more options. HDB plans to launch 5,500 BTO flats in July, with high interest expected in areas such as Clementi, Toa Payoh, Tampines, and Bukit Merah.

Looking ahead, HDB resale prices are anticipated to continue rising modestly, supported by stable economic fundamentals and declining interest rates. However, significant price spikes may be tempered as the overall flat supply increases, providing buyers with a wider array of housing choices. Areas like Bishan, Dover, Sengkang, Woodlands, and Yio Chu Kang may see increased interest due to new developments and amenities.
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The Housing Development Board (HDB) resale market experienced a notable uptick in activity during the second quarter (Q2) of 2025, according to Huttons’ latest flash estimates. The resale volume increased by 5.9% quarter-on-quarter, reaching approximately 7,000 units, although it was 5.0% lower compared to the same period last year due to a limited supply of resale flats.

Larger flat types, such as 5-room and executive/multi-generation units, saw a significant rise in transactions, driven by ex-private property owners and current HDB owners seeking larger homes. The executive/multi-generation flats, in particular, experienced a 9.9% increase in transaction volume.

Resale flat prices rose by 0.9% in Q2 2025, marking the first time since Q2 2020 that prices increased by less than 1.0%. Executive/multi-generation flats led the price surge with a 4.1% increase, reflecting heightened demand.

The market for million-dollar flats also expanded, with 408 units sold at or above this price point, a 17.2% increase from the previous quarter. These high-value transactions accounted for over 6% of the total market volume, with the majority located in mature estates like Toa Payoh, Bukit Merah, and Queenstown.

Looking ahead, the HDB resale market is expected to remain tight throughout 2025. The upcoming launch of over 8,000 flats in the July 2025 Build-To-Order (BTO) and Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) exercises may alleviate some supply pressure. However, resale flat prices are anticipated to continue rising, with an estimated growth of 4% to 6% for the year.
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Singapore businesses are navigating a “complexity conundrum” as they face a broader spectrum of interconnected risks compared to their global counterparts, according to AlixPartners’ 2025 Global Risk Survey. The survey highlights Singapore’s proactive approach to cybersecurity and climate change, with 42% of firms expressing concern over climate risks—the highest in Asia Pacific. Additionally, only 3% of Singapore firms report not using artificial intelligence (AI), showcasing regional leadership in AI adoption.

The survey, which gathered insights from 1,000 senior executives globally, including 50 from Singapore, underscores the city’s unique position as a global business hub. This status exposes organisations to diverse risks, requiring them to manage technological, regulatory, economic, environmental, and geopolitical factors simultaneously. Reshmi Khurana, Partner & Managing Director at AlixPartners, noted, “Singapore’s position as a global business hub exposes organisations to a uniquely diverse set of interconnected risks.”

Singapore’s comprehensive approach to cybersecurity sets it apart, with consistent investment across all measured tactics, ranging from 18% to 31%. This contrasts with countries like China and Japan, which show more varied investment levels. Khurana emphasised, “This comprehensive cybersecurity approach reflects Singapore’s recognition that its complex risk landscape requires a multi-faceted defence strategy.”

The survey also highlights Singapore’s leadership in climate change awareness, with implications for resource allocation and regulatory preparedness. As global organisations struggle with preparedness across key risk categories, Singapore’s strategic response positions it as a leader in managing complex risks.
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The Financial Industry Disputes Resolution Centre Ltd (FIDReC) is extending its jurisdiction to encompass small businesses and charities, starting 1 July 2025. This significant expansion allows over 200,000 small businesses and 2,000 charities to address financial disputes with licensed financial institutions without resorting to costly legal proceedings.

Eunice Chua, CEO of FIDReC, highlighted the challenges faced by small businesses and charities in Singapore’s volatile economy, noting that these organisations often struggle with financial disputes. “Our 2024 public consultation showed strong support for making FIDReC accessible to small businesses,” Chua stated, emphasising the alignment of this move with Singapore’s broader efforts to support small businesses and the non-profit sector.

FIDReC’s expanded jurisdiction will now cover a wider array of claims, including disputes over employee medical insurance, insurance claims for company-owned vehicles, business banking services, and loan agreements. This development is expected to level the playing field for small entities in their dealings with financial institutions, reinforcing Singapore’s reputation as a fair and inclusive financial hub.

Ho Kai Weng, Chief Executive of the General Insurance Association of Singapore, expressed support for the inclusion of small businesses and charities, citing the benefits of FIDReC’s efficient and low-cost dispute resolution. Ong-Ang Ai Boon, Director of the Association of Banks in Singapore, echoed this sentiment, noting the move strengthens trust and transparency in the financial ecosystem.

Since its inception in August 2005, FIDReC has resolved over 23,000 claims, providing an impartial platform for financial dispute resolution. This expansion marks a pivotal step in ensuring that all parties, regardless of size, have access to fair and independent dispute resolution services.
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DigiFT, a Singapore-based platform for tokenised real-world assets (RWAs), has been granted Type 1 and Type 4 licences by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC). This development positions DigiFT among the first digital asset firms authorised to provide regulated distribution and investment advisory services for tokenised securities in Hong Kong.

The Type 1 licence allows DigiFT to distribute tokenised RWAs to institutional and professional investors, whilst the Type 4 licence enables the firm to offer compliant investment advisory services in the digital securities space. This marks a significant shift in Hong Kong’s regulatory approach, as DigiFT is one of the first to be approved for a smart contract-powered, non-custodial infrastructure, moving away from traditional custodial models.

DigiFT is already licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore as a Recognised Market Operator and holds a Capital Markets Services licence. With the new licences from both the SFC and MAS, DigiFT is now one of the most comprehensively regulated platforms for institutional-grade, tokenised RWAs in Asia.

Henry Zhang, Founder and CEO of DigiFT, stated, “Securing the Hong Kong SFC licences marks a significant step in our mission to build a globally connected, compliant, and scalable digital asset marketplace.”

This announcement comes amidst Hong Kong’s efforts to become a global hub for virtual assets, highlighted by recent regulatory developments such as the Stablecoin Bill passed in May 2025. Kevin Loo, CEO of DigiFT Hong Kong, expressed pride in being among the first licensed distribution platforms for tokenised RWAs, emphasising the platform’s unique position to meet growing demand securely and transparently.
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Singapore’s labour market is experiencing a period of low firing, hiring, and quitting, according to the latest report from UOB Global Economics and Markets Research. The Labour Market Pressure Index (LMPI), developed by UOB, indicates a stable yet slightly slackening job market in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the previous quarter.

The LMPI, which uses two methodologies—equally-weighted Z-score and Principal Component Analysis (PCA)—shows that the labour market’s tightness has decreased since its peak in the second quarter of 2022. This decline is attributed to the post-pandemic rebound stabilising by mid-2024. The index incorporates ten labour market indicators, including unemployment rates and job vacancies, to assess market conditions.

Despite the overall unemployment rate remaining low at 2.0% in Q1 2025, the report cautions that some slack is emerging. The job vacancies to unemployed persons ratio stood at 1.64, unchanged from the previous quarter, yet higher than the 2018-2019 average of 1.00. This suggests a cautious outlook as employers may be hesitant to hire amidst economic uncertainties.

The LMPI also highlights a positive correlation with the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s core and services Consumer Price Index (CPI), indicating that a tight labour market could lead to increased consumer prices due to wage pressures. As the labour market shows signs of slack, UOB warns of potential rapid deterioration, drawing parallels to past economic downturns.

In summary, whilst Singapore’s labour market remains relatively healthy, emerging slack and cautious hiring practices signal potential challenges ahead.
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