Industry News

Manus AI and Heicoders Academy have joined forces to introduce GA100: Generative AI Course for Automation and Productivity, Singapore’s inaugural hands-on AI agent upskilling course. This initiative, announced on 22 October 2025, is designed to equip working professionals with the skills to design and deploy AI agents, aligning with the national push for AI readiness. The course aims to transform AI from a buzzword into a practical workplace capability.

The six-week programme offers 24 hours of live, practitioner-led lessons, complemented by guided labs and mentorship from active AI engineers. Participants will learn to design, build, test, and deploy autonomous AI agents capable of automating tasks across various domains such as research, operations, and customer engagement. The curriculum focuses on the plan, act, and reflect loop, enabling students to understand decision-making processes and real-time tool orchestration.

Targeted at mid-career professionals aged 25 to 45, the course includes complimentary access to Manus AI’s sandbox and involves real business challenges. Participants will graduate with a Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) Certificate, a nationally recognised credential. Course fees can be offset using SkillsFuture Credits, with additional support options available for eligible participants.

Beh Min Yan, CEO and co-founder of Heicoders Academy, stated, “GA100 is designed for practitioners – learners don’t just learn about AI agents; they build and apply them to solve real business challenges.” Zhang Tao, co-founder of Manus AI, added, “By putting Manus AI directly in the classroom, professionals get hands-on with the planning, acting, and orchestration patterns that matter in real environments.”

This partnership underscores Singapore’s commitment to becoming a regional hub for agentic AI, with Manus AI having relocated its global headquarters to Singapore in July 2025.

Citibank has been ranked as the leading bank in Singapore for total experience, according to the inaugural report by global research and advisory firm Forrester. The report, released on 22 October 2025, evaluated six banks in Singapore, combining brand and customer experience scores to determine the rankings. This recognition highlights Citibank’s commitment to holistic client service and innovation.

The Total Experience Score, a composite of Forrester’s Brand Experience (BX) Index and Customer Experience (CX) Index, measures perceptions formed by both customers and non-customers through their interactions with a brand. Yeo Wenxian, Citibank Singapore’s CEO, stated, “This ranking validates Citibank’s commitment to serving our clients holistically and reflects our strong global brand among customers and non-customers.”

In the past year, Citibank has introduced numerous initiatives to enhance customer experience, including digital enhancements that streamline transaction authorisation and improve eBrokerage services.

Gourab Kundu, Head of Digital Growth for Asia South Wealth, noted, “We will continue to boost our client experience and build on our ranking.” Citibank plans further enhancements, including app improvements for wealth customers and productivity tools for client advisers.

Citibank’s achievements underscore its role as a leading banking partner, providing a wide range of financial products and services across more than 180 countries.

Global professional services firm GHD has announced the appointment of Tara Herley and Jason Fonti to key leadership roles, aiming to drive infrastructure growth across Southeast Asia. Herley will serve as Business Group Leader, Infrastructure Advisory – Southeast Asia, whilst Fonti takes on the role of Head of Infrastructure Investment & Capital Projects – APAC. These appointments reflect GHD’s ambition to expand its advisory services and investment capabilities in the region.

Herley, with extensive experience in the APAC infrastructure sector, will focus on expanding GHD’s advisory services. Her expertise spans transport, energy, resources, and digital technology. “We’re seeing a surge in investor appetite across Southeast Asia,” Herley stated, emphasising the firm’s readiness to connect global capital with regional opportunities.

Fonti, who has over two decades of experience in infrastructure transactions and capital projects, highlighted Singapore’s strategic role as a financial and innovation hub. “We’re building a capability that enables clients to deploy capital with confidence,” he said, underscoring the importance of combining technical depth with commercial insight.

These strategic appointments come as GHD accelerates its growth strategy in Southeast Asia, aiming to deepen relationships with infrastructure investors and government stakeholders. The firm is committed to supporting clients throughout the infrastructure delivery lifecycle, from strategy and investment readiness to execution and optimisation.

Nick Pohl, APAC Business Advisory Leader, noted, “Jason and Tara’s appointments mark a step-change in our ambition,” reflecting GHD’s intent to be the partner of choice for infrastructure investors across the region.

StraitsX, a leader in stablecoin-native settlement and a major payment institution licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, has announced a significant expansion across Asia, bolstered by a strategic US$10m investment from UQPAY, a prominent cross-border payment solutions provider, and ongoing support from NTT DOCOMO, Japan’s leading mobile and digital services company. This move aims to strengthen StraitsX’s position as a global leader in regulated digital payments by leveraging stablecoin infrastructure to enhance cross-border payment connectivity.

The partnership with UQPAY and DOCOMO highlights the increasing integration of Web3 innovation with institutional finance, allowing StraitsX to expand its presence in major Asian markets. Key initiatives include the development of enterprise-grade APIs for seamless stablecoin and fiat currency transactions, the issuance of virtual and physical cards through partnerships with RedotPay and VISA, and the scaling of cross-border payment corridors to reduce transaction costs and friction.

Tianwei Liu, CEO of StraitsX, stated, “This marks the start of a new growth chapter for StraitsX. With the latest support from UQPAY, we’re expanding our foundation across Asia to deepen cross-border connectivity and enable enterprises to move value seamlessly in a trusted and compliant way.”

Jack Li, CEO of UQPAY, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, noting its potential to create seamless, compliant, and borderless payment experiences. This collaboration aims to establish stablecoins as a regulated and interoperable infrastructure across global markets, paving the way for a unified financial network that supports a trusted global standard for value exchange.

Megan Hughes has been appointed as the Managing Director and Vice President of Sales for HubSpot in the Japan, Asia Pacific, and India (JAPAC) region. Based in Sydney, Hughes will oversee business growth, sales strategy, and operations across key markets including Singapore, Japan, India, Australia, and New Zealand. Her appointment comes as the global customer relationship management (CRM) industry is projected to surpass $163 billion by 2030, with Asia Pacific identified as the fastest-growing market.

Hughes brings over 25 years of experience in the technology sector, having previously served as HubSpot’s ANZ Country Lead and Senior Director of Sales. During her tenure, she led the establishment of HubSpot’s first data centre in Australia and secured a major partnership with the TCS Sydney Marathon. Her leadership has been instrumental in supporting thousands of customers, including MYOB, HungryHungry, and Global Schools Foundation.

David Cohen, Chief Sales Officer at HubSpot, praised Hughes’ impact, stating, “Over the past four years, Megan has transformed our ANZ business, building a customer-first culture where teams deliver real impact.” Hughes’ focus will be on addressing growth challenges such as technology integration, which HubSpot research highlights as a significant barrier for businesses.

Hughes expressed her enthusiasm for the new role, saying, “This role represents the perfect intersection of my passion for developing high-performing teams and creating real impact for the customers we serve through technology.” Her immediate focus will be on leveraging HubSpot’s AI-powered platform to enhance customer interactions and drive growth across the region.

COSCO SHIPPING International (Singapore) Co., Ltd has announced the signing of framework agreements with Shenzhen Ocean Shipping Co., Ltd. The agreements, disclosed on 21 October 2025, focus on providing ship repair services and procuring ship materials, marking a significant collaboration between the two companies.

The agreements aim to streamline operations and enhance service delivery in the maritime sector. By partnering with Shenzhen Ocean Shipping, COSCO SHIPPING seeks to leverage synergies in ship repair and material procurement, potentially reducing costs and improving efficiency.

This collaboration is expected to bolster COSCO SHIPPING’s operational capabilities, aligning with its strategic goals to expand its service offerings and strengthen its market position. The agreements underscore the company’s commitment to enhancing its service portfolio and maintaining high standards in maritime operations.

A recent report by Beazley reveals that 74% of Singapore-based executives view geopolitical and economic uncertainty as significant obstacles to business growth, a figure that has risen to 75% as of July 2025. The report, which surveyed 3,500 senior business leaders globally, highlights the increasing concerns over inflation and economic instability. In 2025, 30% of respondents identified inflationary pressures as a top risk, up from 25% in 2024, whilst 26% cited economic uncertainty as their biggest threat, an increase from 20% the previous year.

The findings underscore the complex risk environment businesses are navigating, with many adopting short-term strategies. However, Beazley suggests that long-term foresight and adaptability are crucial for growth. The report indicates that 38% of Singapore companies plan to reassess the security of their overseas operations, reflecting a shift towards treating security threats as immediate risks. Additionally, 32% of firms intend to explore insurance options that include risk and crisis management, up from 20% in 2024.

Despite the challenges, companies are investing in high-risk, high-opportunity areas such as AI and fusion energy. Bethany Greenwood, CEO of Beazley Furlonge Limited, emphasised the role of innovative insurance solutions in turning risks into competitive advantages. “Resilience isn’t just about surviving disruption; it is about turning risk into competitive advantage,” she stated.

The report suggests that businesses leveraging strategic risk management and insurance solutions can continue to thrive amidst uncertainty, positioning resilience as a key driver of growth.

Shopee, a prominent e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia, Taiwan, and Brazil, has teamed up with Meta to launch a suite of tools aimed at simplifying product discovery on Facebook and facilitating direct purchases through Shopee. This collaboration introduces a streamlined approach to affiliate marketing and enhances Facebook Live with Collaborative Ads.

The partnership allows creators with affiliate accounts to use Facebook Affiliate Partnerships, a dashboard that links their Facebook and affiliate accounts. This enables creators to tag products in posts and Reels, allowing shoppers to complete purchases directly on the affiliate partner’s site. Shopee is the first partner for this initiative, empowering creators to monetise content and connect brands with new customers.

Peggy Zhu, Head of Brand and Growth Marketing at Shopee, stated, “Shopee is committed to strengthening our ecosystem and improving the e-commerce experience. This includes helping brands and sellers expand their reach whilst creating new opportunities for affiliates to thrive and be creative.”

The collaboration also benefits creators through the Shopee Affiliate Programme, offering higher commissions, free product samples, and product sponsorships. Shopee supports affiliates with bootcamps and events to enhance their content creation skills.

Additionally, brands and sellers can maximise Facebook Live by integrating Collaborative Ads, allowing seamless product showcasing and checkout on Shopee. This feature is currently being piloted in Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.

Damian Kim, APAC Director of Monetisation at Meta, commented, “With these product updates, Meta is demonstrating how we’re evolving to meet changing consumer behaviours in the region.”

The new tools are available in several countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, and Brazil, marking a significant step in the evolving digital shopping landscape.

The Singapore Business Federation (SBF) is set to lead a delegation of over 500 representatives from 57 Singaporean companies to the 8th China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai, taking place from 5 to 10 November 2025. This participation underscores the ongoing efforts to bolster trade relations and explore new growth avenues between Singapore and China, as the two nations celebrate 35 years of diplomatic relations and three years since the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) came into effect.

Despite global economic challenges, China remains a pivotal market for Singaporean enterprises, with 71% of Singapore businesses maintaining a strong presence there. The CIIE has been a crucial platform for these companies, generating over $533m in trade value since 2018. This year, the Singapore Pavilion, themed “Singapore-China: Envisioning the Next Horizon,” will span 1,213 square metres, showcasing strengths in services, food and agriculture, and consumer goods.

In conjunction with the expo, the Singapore-China Trade and Investment Forum will be held on 6 November, fostering dialogue and potential partnerships. Last year, the forum saw the signing of 15 memorandums of understanding worth over $60m.

Kok Ping Soon, CEO of SBF, highlighted the significance of the CIIE, stating, “The CIIE stands as a powerful testament to China’s commitment to openness and international cooperation, offering Singapore businesses a gateway to one of the world’s most dynamic markets.”

The SBF will continue its collaboration with the Bank of China Singapore Branch, which has been a financial services partner at CIIE since 2018. Shi Wei, General Manager of the branch, emphasised the bank’s role in supporting Singapore enterprises in the Chinese market, leveraging its extensive expertise and global network.

Grab, Southeast Asia’s leading superapp, has launched Partner Apps, enabling users in Singapore and Malaysia to access third-party services directly within the Grab app. This new feature allows users to enjoy a seamless experience with secure payments and no need for additional downloads, whilst earning GrabRewards Points with every transaction.

The initial rollout includes five services: Jolibox, Firsty, HelloRide, redBus, and Drive lah, with plans to expand further. Philipp Kandal, Chief Product Officer at Grab, highlighted the benefits, stating, “With Partner Apps available natively within Grab’s app, users will get more out of using Grab than ever.” This integration aims to enhance user convenience by offering a variety of services, from telecommunications to transport, all in one place.

Partner Apps not only expand Grab’s service offerings but also provide businesses access to Grab’s 46 million monthly users. This collaboration allows brands to leverage Grab’s platform for greater reach across Southeast Asia. Users can look forward to more brands joining the Partner Apps line-up in the coming months.

The initiative reflects Grab’s commitment to enhancing its ecosystem, which already spans deliveries, mobility, and digital financial services across eight countries. By integrating Partner Apps, Grab aims to meet everyday needs more effectively, offering users a comprehensive and rewarding app experience.