Industry News

Ant International has announced it facilitated over 2 billion digital transactions in 2025 across key emerging markets, including Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. The company, which supports more than 150 million merchants worldwide, is enhancing its AI-powered digital financial and commerce solutions to meet the diverse needs of these regions.

The company’s efforts are focused on improving access to payments, credit, digital banking, and cross-border connectivity in rapidly growing digital economies. Douglas Feagin, President of Ant International, highlighted the potential of AI and new technologies to unlock growth opportunities, stating, “It is time for fintech innovators to convert access into real growth momentum.”

Key achievements in 2025 include Bettr’s expansion of credit services to over 30 million SMEs and individuals, and Alipay+’s partnerships with five national QR payment networks across ASEAN. In Singapore and Malaysia, travellers increased their spending via SGQR and DuitNow QR, respectively, boosting economic value for SMEs.

Ant International’s flagship merchant payment services, Antom, recorded a 75% growth outside China, whilst 2C2P saw a 38% year-on-year growth in transaction volume for merchants in Southeast Asia. WorldFirst expanded into Malaysia and Thailand, achieving nearly 40% growth in transaction value as more SMEs engaged in global e-commerce.

As digital economies continue to scale, Ant International remains committed to fostering inclusive and sustainable growth through partnerships with governments and businesses.

YY Group Holding Limited, a leader in on-demand workforce solutions and integrated facilities management, has announced the establishment of a group-level Learning & Organisational Development (L&OD) function. This strategic move aims to transition the company from a phase of rapid expansion to sustainable growth and value creation. The initiative will focus on consolidating the organisation and building scalable internal capabilities.

The new L&OD function is designed to enhance leadership capabilities across all levels, standardise critical skills for operational excellence, and support talent development and succession planning. By embedding structured learning journeys and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, YY Group aims to improve execution quality, boost talent retention, and strengthen its internal leadership pipeline.

Nor Salehati has been appointed as Head of L&OD, with Wee Jing Ye as Deputy Head. Both bring extensive human resources and training expertise, as well as a deep understanding of the company’s operations. They will be responsible for designing and implementing group-wide learning frameworks and leadership development programmes aligned with YY Group’s long-term business objectives.

This development follows a period of significant business expansion and acquisitions for YY Group. The creation of a centralised L&OD function reflects the company’s commitment to integrating its operations and supporting long-term growth. The initiative is expected to play a crucial role in enhancing the company’s organisational foundation and scalability.

The Asian Civilisations Museum (ACM), in collaboration with international tea brand CHAGEE and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), has unveiled Garden of Senses: A Tea Reverie, an immersive exhibition that delves into the cultural significance of tea. Running from 28 January to 7 June 2026, the showcase invites visitors to explore tea beyond taste and smell, engaging all senses to highlight tea’s role as a human ritual.

This collaboration marks ACM’s first partnership with a global lifestyle brand, aiming to reimagine tea heritage by integrating traditional museum collections with contemporary practices. Clement Onn, Director of ACM and Peranakan Museum, stated, “Through this partnership with CHAGEE and the Singapore Tourism Board, we have the exciting opportunity to reimagine the experience of tea heritage.”

The exhibition features contributions from local creatives, including Ashley Yeo and Alecia Neo, who offer contemporary interpretations of tea. Yeo’s work evokes the essence of tea leaves, whilst Neo’s Symphony of Tea combines sound and visual elements to explore tea’s symphonic experience.

CHAGEE CEO Lawrence Wen emphasised tea’s role as a cultural connector, saying, “At CHAGEE, we see tea as something deeply human – found in shared moments, conversations, and everyday life.”

The exhibition also includes a CHAGEE pop-up by the Singapore River, offering exclusive merchandise and beverages. Tickets are available for S$25 for tourists and S$12 for Singaporeans and PRs, providing access to all museum exhibitions.

The International Workplace Group (IWG) has released its latest State of the C-Suite report, revealing that 95% of CEOs are optimistic about 2026, with 84% expecting global economic conditions to improve. The report, based on a survey of 1,200 C-suite leaders, highlights a disciplined approach focusing on cost control, productivity, and AI-led efficiency.

The study underscores the importance of cost discipline, with all surveyed CEOs emphasising its necessity. Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) are responding by reducing budgets by an average of 10%. AI and automation are set to play a pivotal role, with 83% of leaders prioritising these technologies to enhance productivity.

Flexibility is also a key strategy, with 83% of CEOs enabling teams to work from multiple locations. This approach is driven by benefits such as shorter commutes, access to a wider talent pool, and improved employee satisfaction. More than half of CEOs plan to transition to shorter-term leases or flexible workspace memberships in 2026.

In Singapore, these trends are already evident. Local businesses are balancing growth with resilience, with 51% implementing cost-saving measures and 30% planning to introduce more flexible working arrangements. AI adoption has led to significant cost savings, with SMEs reporting an average reduction of 52% in operational costs.

Mark Dixon, CEO of IWG, stated, “By reducing daily, costly commutes and empowering people to work closer to where they live, leaders can cut costs, maximise productivity, and increase employee satisfaction.” As businesses navigate the challenges of 2026, the integration of AI and flexible work solutions appears to be a strategic priority for growth and efficiency.

Leo International Group has announced the relocation of its global headquarters to Singapore as it approaches its centennial year in 2026. This strategic move is part of the Group’s vision to redefine modern enterprise by focusing on longevity, responsibility, and inter-generational contribution. The relocation coincides with the planned inauguration of its Family Office, further cementing its commitment to a sustainable future.

The Group, which has a legacy of commercial success, aims to articulate a renewed vision for the next century. This vision is not solely defined by scale or momentum but by a commitment to enduring values and contributions across generations. The relocation to Singapore, a global financial hub, underscores the Group’s dedication to these principles.

The move to Singapore is expected to bolster the Group’s presence in Asia and enhance its ability to drive innovation in healthcare, finance, and education. As the Group embarks on this new chapter, it aims to embody a model of enterprise that is anchored in these critical sectors, ensuring its relevance and impact for generations to come.

Centurion Asset Management Pte. Ltd., the manager of Centurion Accommodation REIT (CAREIT), has announced the completion of its acquisition of EPIISOD Macquarie Park, a newly developed 732-bed Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) in Sydney, Australia. This acquisition, completed under a Forward Purchase Agreement, represents CAREIT’s first PBSA investment in Sydney following its initial public offering in September 2025.

The EPIISOD Macquarie Park, operated under the new premium EPIISOD brand, offers modern amenities such as a rooftop pool, wellness centre, and tech-enabled features. Strategically located in the Macquarie Innovation Precinct, it is close to Macquarie University and other key locations, offering seamless connectivity to Sydney’s central business district.

The acquisition, valued at A$345m (S$280.1m), was fully funded through committed debt facilities. This move not only strengthens CAREIT’s presence in Australia but also adds to its portfolio of 15 assets across Singapore, the UK, and Australia, with a total valuation of S$2.1b.

Tony Bin, CEO of the Manager, stated, “The acquisition of EPIISOD Macquarie Park marks a key milestone for CAREIT in building a high-quality and diversified accommodation portfolio.” The acquisition is expected to provide income stability through a master lease agreement with Centurion Properties Pte. Ltd., ensuring a secure investment for CAREIT’s stakeholders.

Hotel Indigo Singapore Katong by IHG has been named the top hotel in Singapore, according to Atiom’s annual Hotel Service Index report for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. The report, which evaluates the Staff Service Sentiment Index (SSI) across 180 hotels in nine countries, also ranked Voco Orchard Singapore by IHG and Sofitel Singapore City Centre in second and third place, respectively.

The report utilises SSI, a proprietary metric that analyses thousands of online guest reviews using deep learning. It assesses sentiment across 11 experience factors, including staff service, value for money, and amenities. This year’s findings indicate a shift in Singapore’s hotel market towards high-value, experiential travel. Despite international visitation being 4.3% below pre-pandemic levels, revenue is expected to grow at a 6.8% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) through 2030.

Matt Spriegel, CEO of Atiom, commented, “We are pleased to release our annual APAC Hotel Service Index once again. By offering clear, data-driven insights, we enable hospitality leaders to benchmark performance, improve service quality, and enhance the overall guest experience.”

The report also underscores the importance of technology-enabled automation in addressing Singapore’s hospitality labour shortage, which is projected to reduce sector growth by 1.4%. Automation of routine tasks is becoming increasingly critical to support the delivery of personalised and culturally immersive experiences that guests now demand.

As Singapore’s hospitality industry continues to evolve, the emphasis on staff engagement and technological integration will be key to maintaining service excellence and meeting the growing expectations of travellers.

Empyrion Digital, a Singapore-based data centre developer, has commenced construction of its inaugural data centre in Taiwan, marking a significant expansion into the Taiwanese market. The facility, located in Taipei’s Neihu technology hub, is set to become a key player in the region’s digital infrastructure by Q4 2027.

The new Taipei Data Centre, known as TW1, will feature a 10MW power capacity with 7MW of scalable IT load, catering to the increasing demand for high-performance cloud and AI computing. Designed with sustainability in mind, the 4,260-square-metre, five-storey facility will incorporate energy-efficient air-cooled systems and green features such as vertical green walls and solar panels. It aims to achieve Taiwan’s Green Building Gold Certification.

Empyrion Digital’s CEO, Mark Fong, highlighted the strategic importance of the Taiwanese market, stating, “Breaking ground on TW1 is a significant milestone for Empyrion Digital as we continue to expand our footprint across Asia. Taiwan is a strategic market with a strong digital economy and a world-class technology ecosystem.”

The data centre will support liquid cooling and high-density deployments, aligning with Empyrion Digital’s commitment to delivering sustainable, AI-ready infrastructure. This development follows the company’s recent project announcement in Johor, further solidifying its presence in developed Asia.

As Empyrion Digital continues to grow its operations, the TW1 facility is expected to bolster Taiwan’s position in the regional digital network, providing essential infrastructure to support the country’s burgeoning digital economy.

Sim Lian Land and Sim Lian Development have secured the Government Land Sales (GLS) site at Woodlands Drive 17 with a top bid of $794 per square foot per plot ratio (psf ppr), marking a slight increase from the previous GLS tender in August 2025. The site attracted three bidders, reflecting strong interest in the area.

The recent review of the income ceiling for buyers of Executive Condominium (EC) units is believed to have contributed to the confident bidding. This adjustment is expected to expand the pool of potential buyers when the project launches in 2027. Mark Yip, CEO of Huttons Asia, noted that approximately 6,600 Housing Development Board (HDB) flats completed between 2016 and 2021 could represent potential upgraders.

Executive Condominiums continue to be an appealing option for eligible buyers, offering a cost-effective alternative to private residential properties. This is evidenced by the high take-up rates of ECs during their launch periods. For instance, Aurelle of Tampines was fully sold, and Otto Place achieved over 91% sales within a month of its launch.

The Woodlands Drive 17 site is conveniently located about 200 metres from Woodlands South MRT station on the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL), providing easy access to the Woodlands Regional Centre and the upcoming Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ) via the RTS link, which will be operational in 2027. Additionally, families with young children will benefit from the proximity of three primary schools within a 1km radius.

The successful bid by Sim Lian highlights the continued demand for well-located EC sites, with future developments likely to attract significant interest from both local and regional buyers.

Singapore has reported a record-breaking year for its port in 2025, with vessel arrivals reaching 3.22 billion gross tonnage (GT) and container throughput hitting 44.66 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs). This marks a 3.5% and 8.6% increase from 2024, respectively. The announcement was made by Senior Minister of State for Law and Transport Murali Pillai at the Singapore Maritime Foundation’s New Year Conversations event.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) is gearing up for 2026 by opening applications for new LNG bunker supply licences on 14 January. This move aims to meet the rising demand for LNG and enhance safety standards for port limit LNG bunker vessels. Additionally, the MPA, in collaboration with Enterprise Singapore, plans to upgrade the existing Technical Reference for LNG Bunkering to a Singapore Standard in Q2 2026.

Singapore’s maritime sector also saw significant developments in 2025, including the establishment of two new Green and Digital Shipping Corridors with India and the Republic of Korea. These corridors aim to improve global supply chain resilience and sustainability. Furthermore, all bunker suppliers in Singapore have adopted digital bunkering, streamlining transactions and saving up to 40,000 man-days annually.

The Singapore Registry of Ships also achieved a milestone, closing the year with a record 137.46 million GT, making it the fourth largest ship registry globally. The MPA continues to shape global maritime standards and develop the maritime workforce, ensuring Singapore remains a leading International Maritime Centre.

As the global economy faces uncertainties in 2026, Singapore’s maritime industry is poised to navigate challenges and seize new opportunities, driven by its robust infrastructure and strategic initiatives.