Industry News

FairPrice Group (FPG) has announced the extension of its daily discount schemes for seniors, Pioneer Generation, Merdeka Generation, and Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) Blue and Orange cardholders until the end of 2026. This initiative aims to ensure that daily essentials remain accessible to vulnerable communities across Singapore.

FPG, the first major retailer in Singapore to offer a discount scheme for CHAS Orange cardholders, launched this initiative in October 2024. The scheme is funded by FairPrice Foundation, FPG’s philanthropic arm, which seeks to bridge the gap in access to daily necessities for families and individuals in need. Group CEO Vipul Chawla stated, “Our purpose as the nation’s largest retailer is to make every day a little better for those we serve.”

Eligible customers can access these discounts by verifying their information on the FPG App or presenting their membership cards at checkout. Discounts are valid for up to S$200 per transaction per day. Throughout 2025, FPG returned over S$25 million to customers through various discount schemes and initiatives, including price freezes and special deals.

The extension of these schemes underscores FPG’s commitment to supporting Singaporeans in need, ensuring they have the essentials required to enjoy the festive season and beyond.

The International Workplace Group (IWG), the world’s largest provider of flexible workspace solutions, has unveiled its 2026 workplace trends, highlighting a shift towards multi-office models, hospitality-led office designs, and the emergence of 15-minute cities. As businesses rethink office spaces, the focus is on creating strategic assets that support flexible working.

Companies are moving away from traditional hybrid policies towards structured, multi-location models. Employees will work from convenient locations closer to home, with Microsoft leading the charge by requiring US employees to work from their nearest office at least three days a week by 2026. This policy is expected to extend across its international offices, including in Singapore.

The concept of 15-minute cities, where work, leisure, and living are accessible within a short walk or cycle, is evolving. Singapore’s Urban Redevelopment Authority’s Draft Master Plan 2025 supports this trend with self-contained neighbourhoods designed for work-live-play needs. IWG’s 23 centres across Singapore align with this shift towards decentralised work options.

Offices are also transforming into hospitality-led environments, resembling boutique hotels with concierge services and curated amenities. IWG’s partnership with YOO exemplifies this trend, blending design-led hospitality with flexible workspaces to create lifestyle experiences.

On-demand offices are becoming essential, offering professional spaces without long-term commitments. These developments reflect a broader move towards local, personal, and intelligent work environments, reshaping how businesses operate and employees engage with their workspaces.

JTC has initiated a groundbreaking pilot project to develop Singapore’s first overhang solar photovoltaic (PV) system at 15 Woodlands Loop. This innovative approach seeks to optimise solar deployment by constructing PV systems on overhang structures between multi-storey industrial buildings, offering an alternative to traditional land-based or rooftop installations. The pilot is part of JTC’s broader strategy to expand solar energy production by utilising untapped spaces within industrial estates.

As of the second half of 2025, Singapore has deployed 1,775.4 MWp of PV systems, surpassing half of its 2 GWp solar target by 2030. However, with conventional sites nearing saturation, the need to co-locate solar with existing infrastructure has become crucial. The overhang PV systems present unique engineering challenges, such as ensuring structural integrity and safe access for maintenance, which will be addressed during the 15-month design and testing phase.

The pilot aims to achieve a minimum installation capacity of 250 kWp across a 4,300 m² void space. Upon successful installation, the system will operate for 10 years, contributing electricity to the national grid. JTC plans to assess the feasibility of replicating and scaling this model across other industrial estates, potentially unlocking additional solar capacity.

Finn Tay, Chief Sustainability Officer at JTC, emphasised the importance of innovative solutions in a land-scarce nation like Singapore, stating, “This pilot is one example of how we are rethinking underused spaces to unlock new solar potential and support Singapore’s long-term energy goals.”

TSquared Lab has announced the launch of TSquared Health, a new company focused on longevity, following its acquisition of Noviu Health. This initiative integrates advanced biomarker testing, wearable-derived insights, and AI-supported clinical guidance to offer a comprehensive approach to preventive care and healthspan optimisation. The acquisition expands TSquared Health’s clinical operations to two locations in Singapore, including a new flagship clinic in the Central Business District.

The medical strategy for TSquared Health will be overseen by Dr Hisham Badaruddin, a physician with extensive experience in metabolic and hormonal health. He emphasises the importance of data-informed personalised medicine, which aligns with TSquared Health’s commitment to rigorous, data-driven longevity care. “By combining biomarker testing, structured interpretation, and real-world intervention under one ecosystem, we can meaningfully shift the trajectory of our clients’ long-term health,” said Dr Badaruddin.

TSquared Health introduces the TSquared Healthspan Intelligence Engine, an AI system that transforms biomarker, wearable, and lifestyle data into a personalised healthspan score. This system provides clients with clear, actionable steps for health improvement, reviewed by experienced physicians to ensure medical soundness.

The launch addresses the growing demand for proactive healthcare in the region, driven by rising metabolic and lifestyle-related conditions. TSquared Health aims to democratise access to high-quality preventive testing through its Signature and Elite membership tiers, making longevity care more accessible and actionable for a broader audience.

Vietnam Airlines and SATS have signed a strategic partnership agreement in Hanoi, marking a significant collaboration to enhance aviation services and logistics capabilities worldwide. This partnership builds on a previous memorandum of understanding (MOU) to develop cargo terminals in Vietnam, including at Long Thanh International Airport.

SATS, a leading provider of air cargo and ground handling services headquartered in Singapore, has been a key partner for Vietnam Airlines, offering services at major airports such as Singapore, Bangkok, and London. The new agreement designates SATS and Vietnam Airlines as preferred partners for ground handling and cargo services, with SATS providing enhanced operational support and Vietnam Airlines offering reciprocal benefits in suitable markets.

Lê Hồng Hà, President and CEO of Vietnam Airlines, stated, “The cooperation between Vietnam Airlines and SATS marks a pivotal step in our ongoing commitment to elevate service excellence, optimise operational costs, and reinforce our international operating capabilities.” Kerry Mok, President and CEO of SATS Ltd, added, “This partnership reflects our shared commitment to operational excellence and customer-focused solutions.”

The agreement also explores future collaborations, including the development of a new cargo terminal in Vietnam. It aims to align service standards with global best practices, supported by SATS’ technical expertise, to enhance customer experience and competitiveness in international markets. Additionally, the partnership will focus on joint research and the adoption of innovative technologies to drive operational efficiency and sustainable development.

Vietnam Airlines and SATS will begin implementing these initiatives immediately, aiming to deliver long-term benefits and advance the aviation industry’s overall development.

Singapore’s NODX continued its upward trajectory for the third consecutive month, recording a 6.6% month-on-month seasonally adjusted increase in November, according to UOB Global Economics and Markets Research. This growth surpassed Bloomberg’s consensus expectations of a 6.8% rise, largely due to a significant spike in pharmaceutical exports. Without this S$3.2b increase in pharmaceuticals, NODX would have contracted by 9.5% year-on-year.

The surge in pharmaceutical exports reflects strong industrial production (IP) figures from September and October, potentially influenced by the front-loading of orders following US pharmaceutical tariff announcements in late September. The Economic Development Board attributed the performance to increased production of active pharmaceutical ingredients and biological products. The US and EU markets saw notable increases in NODX, with year-on-year growth of 106% and 66.3%, respectively.

In contrast, electronics NODX showed a moderated growth of 13.1% year-on-year in November, down from 33.1% in October. This was due to softer gains in integrated circuits and a decline in disk drives, whilst consumer electronics remained in contraction. Despite this, electronics non-oil re-exports (NORX) still posted a robust 36% year-on-year increase.

Year-to-date, Singapore’s NODX has risen by 4.8%, positioning it to exceed the official 2025 full-year estimate of around 2.5%. Looking ahead, UOB projects NODX growth to slow to 1.2% in 2026, as the delayed impact of US tariffs and base effects weigh on electronics exports growth.

Zscaler, a leader in cloud security, has unveiled its ThreatLabz 2025 Mobile, IoT, and OT Threat Report, revealing that Singapore’s technology and healthcare sectors are prime targets for malware attacks. The report indicates that cybercriminals are focusing on high-value industries, exploiting the shift towards hybrid work models and increased reliance on mobile, IoT, and OT technologies.

The report highlights that 67% of mobile and 70% of IoT attacks in Singapore target the technology sector, whilst the healthcare sector accounts for one-fifth of global attacks. This underscores the significant exposure of these critical industries to cyber threats. Heng Mok, CISO-in-Residence at Zscaler, emphasised the need for a “Zero Trust everywhere approach” to mitigate these risks.

Globally, there has been a 67% increase in Android malware, with Singapore-originated attacks primarily targeting the US. The report also identified 239 malicious apps on the Google Play Store, downloaded over 42 million times, often disguised as productivity tools.

Zscaler’s findings stress the importance of robust security measures to protect against the evolving threat landscape. The company’s Zero Trust architecture aims to safeguard users, devices, and applications through continuous verification and policy enforcement. As cyber threats grow in sophistication, organisations must adapt to protect their critical infrastructure and data.

Singapore-based maritime electrification startup Pyxis has successfully raised S$13m in the first close of its S$18m Seed II funding round. This financial boost comes from a coalition of climate-tech, venture capital, and maritime strategic investors. The funds will be used to accelerate the production of electric vessels, expand the company’s Electra™️ smart energy capabilities, and scale ultra-fast marine charging infrastructure.

The funding follows Pyxis’s successful deployment of its electric vessel, Pyxis One, and its solar-powered counterpart, Pyxis R. These innovations are part of Pyxis’s broader strategy to support Singapore’s goal of transitioning 1,600 harbour crafts to electric or low-carbon alternatives.

Tommy Phun, Founder and CEO of Pyxis, expressed enthusiasm about the funding’s potential impact. Sebastien Guillard, Co-founder and Managing Partner of Shift4Good, and Tan Kaixin, General Manager of SEEDS, also expressed their support for Pyxis’s vision and the potential for significant environmental benefits.

The successful funding round underscores the growing interest and investment in sustainable maritime solutions, aligning with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions. As Pyxis continues to innovate, the company is poised to play a pivotal role in the future of maritime electrification in Asia.

TADA, Singapore’s pioneering zero-commission ride-hailing platform, has unveiled a S$1m pilot initiative named ‘Hotpot’ to counter high-commission models and rising commuter fares. With over 27,000 drivers committed, the initiative seeks to establish a fairer economic model by rewarding drivers transparently through blockchain technology.

The ‘Hotpot’ initiative addresses the prevalent issue of high commissions and opaque algorithms that diminish driver earnings and inflate commuter fares. By recording driver contributions and rewards on the MVL blockchain, TADA ensures a transparent and tamper-proof system that offers drivers a verifiable stake in the ecosystem. This approach contrasts with traditional loyalty schemes, which are often devalued by the platforms themselves.

Drivers participating in ‘Hotpot’ earn TADA Points for each trip, which determine their eligibility for Group Rewards. These rewards are enhanced when collective trip targets are met, offering a 2× multiplier on earnings. This system shifts the focus from individual bonuses to collective effort, ensuring that drivers share in the value they create.

Kay Woo, Founder of TADA and MVL, stated, “Drivers shouldn’t be paying away their earnings in commissions, and riders shouldn’t be accepting cost-climbing fares as ‘the norm’. This is an opportunity to make a stand to Say No to Commission and build a fairer system.”

The ‘Hotpot’ initiative is the first step in TADA’s long-term vision to empower drivers with a voice in future ride-hailing decisions and prepare them for next-generation services like autonomous vehicles. The next phase, set for early next year, will introduce community decision-making and expand the initiative regionally.

Foodpanda has announced a substantial double-digit increase in merchant sign-ups across Asia, reinforcing its position as a key growth partner for local businesses. This milestone reflects foodpanda’s dedication to enhancing merchant care and success throughout the Asia Pacific region.

To address the challenges of a competitive market, foodpanda has launched several initiatives aimed at supporting merchants. These initiatives focus on four main areas: personalised support, growth tools, financial access, and recognition. In Taiwan, foodpanda has collaborated with the Commerce Development Research Institute and Asia Marketing Transformation Alliance to establish the Restaurant Transformation Advisory Team, providing coaching and data analysis to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) digitise and expand.

In Singapore, foodpanda’s AI-driven growth tools, such as Panda Ads and data insights dashboards, have enabled businesses like Jaggi’s café to increase monthly orders fivefold. Additionally, partnerships with platforms like Funding Societies and AEON Bank in Malaysia and Bangladesh offer financing programmes to aid small businesses in managing cash flow and expansion.

Foodpanda also celebrates its diverse merchant community through initiatives like Local Heroes campaigns and merchant awards. “Merchants are at the heart of foodpanda’s ecosystem,” said Giuseppe Randazzo, Chief International Officer at foodpanda APAC. “Our mission is to help them thrive with human-first support, smart technology, and partnerships.”

Looking forward, foodpanda plans to expand its merchant care programme across all 10 Asia-Pacific markets in 2026, aiming to create an ecosystem where businesses of all sizes can thrive.