Industry News

Minister of State for Defence Desmond Choo recently visited the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) Advanced Jet Training Detachment at Cazaux Air Base, France, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Singapore-France defence relations. The event, attended by Philippe Paul, Vice-President of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence, and the Armed Forces, featured the unveiling of a special anniversary logo on RSAF’s M346 aircraft and the French Air and Space Force’s (FASF) Alpha Jet, followed by a combined flypast.

Choo emphasised the importance of the RSAF’s presence at Cazaux Air Base, highlighting France’s role in recognising Singapore’s independence in 1965 and the subsequent development of a robust partnership. “Since 1998, when the first RSAF Super Skyhawk flew over French skies, Cazaux has been our home away from home,” he stated. The base has been pivotal for RSAF, transitioning to the M346 Advanced Jet Trainer in 2012, and has since trained over 330 fighter pilots and Weapon Systems Officers, accumulating more than 31,000 flight hours.

The Cazaux Air Base hosts RSAF’s 150 Squadron, comprising instructor pilots, engineers, trainees, and support staff. This overseas training facility helps the RSAF address Singapore’s land and airspace limitations. Regular interactions between RSAF and FASF through visits and professional exchanges have significantly bolstered defence relations and camaraderie between the two nations’ air forces. The ongoing collaboration underscores the enduring and multifaceted partnership between Singapore and France.
“`

Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel Singapore is marking Singapore’s 60th birthday with a series of culinary celebrations, including the return of its popular Durian Buffet and a special SG60 National Day dining promotion. Running from 14 July to 14 September 2025, the Durian Buffet at Food Capital will feature free-flow Musang King durians and a variety of durian-infused dishes such as Gratin Parmigiana Durian and Durian Laksa.

In addition to the buffet, the hotel will host a National Day buffet from 8 to 10 August, showcasing reimagined local favourites like Hainanese Chicken Rice Risotto and Chilli Crab Pasta. Guests can also enjoy classic Singaporean seafood dishes, including Chilli Crab and Salted Egg Yolk Prawns.

For those looking to extend their celebrations, the SG60 National Day Fireworks Staycation offers panoramic views of the fireworks from Premier Waterfront Rooms or the Executive Club Lounge. The staycation includes a 4-Course National Day Set Dinner, with rates starting from $195.

Andrew Tan, General Manager of Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, expressed excitement about the celebrations, stating, “As we honour Singapore’s 60th birthday, we’re proud to offer dining and stay experiences that reflect the boldness and creativity of our local cuisine.”

Guests can also participate in Hilton’s Culinary Compass, an interactive dining journey for MyMillennium members, to unlock rewards by dining at participating outlets. This celebration promises a memorable experience for both locals and visitors, combining Singapore’s rich culinary heritage with festive flair.
“`

The National Healthcare Group (NHG) has announced a significant enhancement in the roles of Therapy Assistants, aimed at improving patient care across its institutions. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to address the increasing rehabilitation needs driven by Singapore’s ageing population. Therapy Assistants, who traditionally support therapists during sessions, will now receive specialised training to manage routine therapy sessions independently, eventually advancing to the role of Therapy Associates.

This career redesign is expected to widen access to rehabilitation services, reduce wait times, and increase patient engagement in recovery processes. Currently, NHG employs over 230 Therapy Assistants, Senior Therapy Assistants, and Therapy Support Associates. Approximately 30% of these professionals are projected to qualify for the Therapy Associate role within the next three to five years, enhancing care delivery in Central and North Singapore.

Patients and families across NHG’s institutions, including Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, and the Institute of Mental Health, are set to benefit from this initiative. NHG’s Group Chief Human Resource Officer, Khoo Swee Lan, stated, “Our investment in upskilling and career development reflects our belief in creating not just jobs but fulfilling and rewarding careers that benefit both our staff and the patients we serve.”

The initiative underscores NHG’s commitment to professional growth and improved patient outcomes, promising a more personalised and efficient rehabilitation experience for patients. As Therapy Assistants transition to Therapy Associates, the healthcare system anticipates a more robust support structure for therapists, ultimately enhancing the quality of care provided.
“`

Key Concept, a prominent interior design firm based in Singapore, has announced a strategic expansion of its team in 2025. This move underscores the company’s commitment to fostering new talent within the interior design industry, particularly targeting recent graduates and individuals switching careers. The expansion aims to provide hands-on experience, creative mentorship, and career development opportunities in response to the increasing demand for quality condo interior design, BTO home renovation, and resale flat renovation projects.

The firm, known for its client-first approach and innovative solutions tailored to Singapore’s unique housing landscape, is dedicated to making quality interior design both accessible and personal. By scaling its team, Key Concept seeks to enrich the industry with fresh perspectives and ideas, ensuring that client needs are met with the highest standards of creativity and functionality.

In addition to the team expansion, Key Concept is hosting the Key Concept Grand Opening Event this June. This event not only showcases the firm’s evolution and creativity but also celebrates the vibrant community it serves. Attendees can look forward to exclusive offers, including additional discounts on project signups during the event period.

Key Concept continues to set the standard in Singapore’s interior design landscape, balancing function, style, and individuality in every project. For more information, visit their website at www.keyconcept.com.sg.
“`

KuCoin, a prominent global cryptocurrency exchange, has announced its partnership with BitGo Singapore, a subsidiary of BitGo Inc, to integrate with the Go Network for Off-Exchange Settlement (OES). This collaboration is a key component of KuCoin’s $2 billion Trust Project, aimed at bolstering platform security and institutional trust.

The integration allows institutional clients on KuCoin to trade without the need to prefund exchange wallets, as assets are securely held in regulated custody under BitGo Singapore, a licensed Major Payment Institution by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). This setup offers a secure model of custody and execution separation, reducing counterparty and systemic risks whilst enhancing operational security.

Institutional clients will benefit from a range of features, including qualified custody with insurance coverage up to $250 million, automated post-trade settlement, and full asset control with delegated trading access. KuCoin’s comprehensive suite of products, including spot, margin, options, and perpetual futures, can now be accessed through the Go Network, ensuring asset protection.

Tika Lum, Head of Institutional Business Development at KuCoin, stated, “Security and trust are the foundation for institutional adoption. We are proud to integrate with BitGo Singapore’s Go Network.” Brett Reeves, Head of Go Network at BitGo, added, “Partnering with KuCoin marks a major step forward in building a more efficient trading ecosystem.”

As off-exchange settlement gains traction, KuCoin continues to collaborate with global leaders in compliance and custody to enhance the security and trustworthiness of digital asset trading. Founded in 2017, KuCoin is recognised for its cutting-edge blockchain infrastructure and has been acknowledged by Forbes and Hurun for its excellence in the digital economy.
“`

Philanthropic organisation Leap201 has convened a cross-sector roundtable to discuss enhancements to Singapore’s CareShield Life scheme, aiming to better support working families dealing with severe long-term disabilities and critical illnesses. The event, held on 16 June, forms part of Leap201’s Care4WorkingFamilies (C4W) initiative, launched in January 2025, and aligns with the Forward Singapore agenda.

The roundtable, which included experts from public, private, academic, and community sectors, proposed several key changes to the CareShield Life scheme. These include increasing the payout amounts, easing eligibility criteria by reducing the required Activities of Daily Living from three to two, and establishing a Recovery ‘Greenlane’ for streamlined access to support services. These recommendations come ahead of the Government’s review of the scheme, expected to conclude in the second half of 2025.

Jason Ho, Board Member and Managing Director of Leap201, emphasised the urgency of these changes, stating, “Whilst our social safety nets have strengthened over the years, we see working families—especially those facing long-term disability or illnesses—struggling with rising costs, stretched caregiving responsibilities, and underinsurance.”

The initiative’s Phase One, conducted with KPMG as a knowledge partner, also highlighted gaps in critical illness protection, particularly for cancer patients. These include insufficient insurance coverage, fragmented post-hospitalisation care, and challenges faced by cancer survivors returning to work.

Looking forward, Leap201 plans to delve deeper into these issues in Phase Two, aiming to inform future policy and pilot innovative solutions to support affected families.
“`

Allianz Asia Pacific successfully concluded its second annual Allianz Asia Health Summit 2025 on 17 June at the Mandarin Oriental in Singapore. The event, themed “Resilience and Innovation”, brought together over 100 healthcare leaders from across the Asia Pacific region, including insurers and healthcare providers, to explore strategies for improving healthcare access whilst ensuring financial sustainability.

Anusha Thavarajah, Regional CEO of Allianz Asia Pacific, highlighted Allianz’s commitment to cross-sector collaboration. She stated, “Through the strength of our scale, the depth of our partnerships, and our ability to integrate health and wealth solutions across every life stage,” Allianz is well positioned to support the region’s evolving health and financial needs.

The summit featured panel discussions on tackling medical inflation, broadening access to care, inclusion in health insurance for chronic conditions, and innovative approaches to meet evolving customer expectations. These discussions aimed to address the pressing challenges faced by the healthcare sector in the region.

The event concluded with a renewed commitment among participants to collaborate across sectors and borders to build more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable healthcare systems in the Asia Pacific region. This commitment underscores the importance of collective efforts in addressing the complex healthcare challenges faced by the region today.
“`

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) has announced its participation as an innovation partner in the PIER71 Smart Port Challenge 2025, a maritime innovation accelerator programme in Singapore. This marks the first time MOL’s Singapore Sub-Headquarters, MOL (Asia Oceania) Pte. Ltd. (MOLAO), will engage in this initiative, which aims to tackle pressing issues in the shipping industry through collaboration with startups.

The ten-week programme, commencing in September, will see MOLAO working alongside MOL PLUS Co., Ltd., which is participating for the fifth consecutive year. Together, they will provide expertise, business development support, and opportunities for proof of concept trials to startups. This collaboration aims to foster innovation and address industry challenges by leveraging MOL’s extensive network in the Asia-Oceania region.

MOL PLUS, acting as an investment partner, will focus on investing in startups and supporting their growth, particularly in the ocean shipping and logistics sectors. This initiative aligns with MOL Group’s “BLUE ACTION 2035” management plan, which seeks to enhance its relationship with the Singaporean government and accelerate global open innovation activities.

The PIER71 Smart Port Challenge, a core initiative of the Port Innovation Ecosystem Reimagined at BLOCK71, is jointly founded by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore and NUS Enterprise. It provides startups with opportunities to propose solutions in logistics efficiency, decarbonisation, and port digitisation.

By participating in SPC2025, MOL Group aims to deepen its collaboration with Singapore and drive innovation in the maritime industry, ultimately contributing to the transformation and advancement of shipping operations globally.
“`

Aleph, a global network of digital experts, has rebranded MediaDonuts to Aleph, marking a significant step in its digital transformation strategy across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. This move, announced on 19 June 2025, aims to enhance Aleph’s presence and capabilities in APAC by integrating global media platforms, local expertise, and advanced technology solutions.

The rebranding follows Aleph’s acquisition of Entravision’s digital advertising business in 2024, significantly bolstering its regional footprint. Pieter-Jan de Kroon, Managing Director of Aleph in APAC, stated, “Becoming one unique brand under Aleph represents a strategic outcome for our partners and clients, reflecting the significant potential that lies ahead under the broader umbrella of Aleph.”

The rebranding offers several advantages for APAC:

– **Stronger global access**: APAC’s inclusion in Aleph’s network allows advertisers and platforms to access a seamless ecosystem of media partners, payment solutions, and educational programmes.

– **Deeper local expertise**: Clients benefit from integrated support, including stronger publisher ties and data-driven tools, enhancing regional growth.

– **Expanding digital ecosystem**: Aleph continues to partner with major platforms and adopt new technologies to deliver optimal solutions.

Gastón Taratuta, CEO and Founder of Aleph Group, highlighted the strategic alignment achieved by consolidating APAC operations under the Aleph brand. “This unified identity is a unified vision serving clients and partners,” he said.

Aleph now operates in over 150 markets, supported by more than 60 exclusive partnerships and a client base of 26,000 advertisers. The rebranding extends to India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. For more information, visit www.alephholding.com.
“`

Trust Bank Singapore has announced a significant upgrade to its Trust+ service, the nation’s first fully digital elevated banking experience. The enhancements include a complimentary metal card, increased interest rates on deposits up to S$1.2 million, and new partner privileges. These changes aim to provide more value and convenience to customers, as stated by Aditya Gupta, Chief Product Officer at Trust Bank.

The new metal card, available to Trust+ customers, offers the same benefits as the existing Link card, such as accelerated Linkpoints earnings and fee-free foreign exchange transactions. The card is available without any annual or subscription fees, simplifying the banking experience for users.

In addition to the metal card, Trust+ customers can now enjoy 1-for-1 privileges from popular partners like Edge, Golden Village Gold Class, Paradise Group, Mandai Wildlife Reserve, and Starbucks. These benefits are expected to save customers over S$200 monthly. Furthermore, Trust+ members receive a complimentary Just Wine Club membership, offering an 8% discount on wine purchases at FairPrice outlets and exclusive event invitations.

The bank has also increased the deposit cap for earning higher interest rates from S$800,000 to S$1.2 million, allowing customers to grow their savings more effectively. From July, balances in TrustInvest accounts will count towards Trust+ qualification, requiring a minimum of S$100,000 in eligible balances across savings and investment accounts.

These enhancements reflect Trust Bank’s commitment to delivering a simple, transparent, and rewarding banking experience. As Gupta noted, the level-up combines exclusive services and partner benefits to enhance customer satisfaction and savings growth.
“`