Industry News

Asia Pacific hotel investment is projected to regain momentum in 2026, with volumes expected to reach $13.3b (S$17.3b), according to JLL. Singapore is anticipated to attract S$1.3b in hotel investment, driven by its reputation as a global safe haven and declining interest rates in the latter half of 2025.

Singapore’s hotel market has shown remarkable activity, with JLL receiving over SGD 3.5 billion in bids for hospitality assets in 2025. This surge in interest comes from a diverse range of buyers, including high-net-worth individuals, family offices, owner-operators, and private equity firms. The city-state’s stable legal framework and strong tourism fundamentals continue to bolster investor confidence.

Nihat Ercan, CEO of JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group, Asia Pacific, noted, “A challenging economic environment and uncertainty in geopolitical spheres is influencing both investment decisions and travel habits. As a result, the Asia Pacific hospitality investment landscape is reflective of a maturing market.”

The focus on hybrid hotels, boutique luxury concepts, and alternative hospitality formats is growing, with leasehold hotel assets gaining attention due to attractive yield spreads. Singapore’s position as a regional travel hub and its stable market dynamics are expected to sustain investor interest.

Looking ahead, Singapore, along with Japan and Australia, is expected to drive hotel investment activity in the region. Tan Ling Wei, Senior Vice President at JLL, stated, “This year’s record bidding activity underscores Singapore’s enduring status as a premier hotel investment destination.”

As 2026 approaches, Singapore’s safe-haven reputation and supportive market conditions are likely to continue attracting significant capital flows, ensuring its place as a key player in the Asia Pacific hotel investment landscape.

Aster has announced a significant investment of $155m to enhance its Bukom refining facility, aiming to bolster energy supply resilience and support Singapore’s role as a key refining and petrochemical hub. The rejuvenation drive includes a $75m revitalisation of the Condensate Splitter Unit (CSU) and a $71m upgrade of the Lube Oil Complex (LOC), set to increase crude processing capacity to over 300,000 barrels per day by 2026.

The investment will enable the production of higher-value base oils, crucial for industrial, marine, and automotive sectors. Additionally, Aster plans to improve logistics integration with Chandra Asri’s Cilegon facility, facilitating the export of mixed C4 products and the import of pyrolysis gasoline. This strategic move aims to deepen value chain integration and enhance product value.

Mashhad Dohadwala, Aster’s Director for Projects and Technology, stated, “We are targeting for these projects to be operational in 2026. The rejuvenation will allow us to make higher value products and be more integrated through our oil-chemicals value chain.”

Aster, a joint venture led by Chandra Asri and Glencore, continues to evaluate new technologies aligned with energy transition goals, focusing on optimising existing assets to ensure capacity resilience and support the growth of Singapore’s energy and chemicals sector.

RealVantage, a global real estate investment platform, has announced the successful oversubscription of its US$10 million Series A funding round, achieving a valuation of US$70 million. The demand from investors, including three family offices such as SoilBuild’s, was so high that it necessitated secondary tranches, providing liquidity to the company’s dedicated staff.

The proceeds from this fundraise will be strategically deployed across three primary areas: the development of new investment products, including thematic funds; the enhancement of RealVantage’s AI-powered platform; and regional expansion, starting with Hong Kong SAR. This marks a significant step for RealVantage, which has already initiated a joint venture in Hong Kong with established real estate partners and a prominent family office.

Keith Ong, co-founder and CEO of RealVantage, expressed his gratitude for the investor confidence, stating, “The strong vote of confidence from new investors reinforces our mission: to continue advancing our mandate of making institutional-grade real estate investing far more accessible, transparent and rewarding for everyone across the globe.”

Since its inception in April 2019, RealVantage has raised over SGD 400 million and completed more than 130 deals across seven global markets. The platform boasts a rapidly growing membership of over 10,000 individuals from 58 countries, including institutions, family offices, and accredited investors.

Lim Han Feng, director at SoilBuild Group Holdings Ltd, commented on RealVantage’s innovative approach, saying, “RealVantage is bringing a fresh, disciplined and investor-aligned approach to real estate investing. I appreciate the team’s rigour, transparency and strong deal-making capabilities.”

With its latest funding, RealVantage is poised to further its growth and continue transforming the real estate investment landscape.

Singapore’s MetaComp Pte Ltd has successfully raised US$22m in a Pre-A funding round to scale its Web2.5 fiat/stablecoin hybrid payment network, StableX, aimed at facilitating cross-border payments. This significant funding, one of the largest for a Singapore-licensed stablecoin payments provider this year, comes as the region increasingly adopts regulated stablecoin settlements.

The funding round was supported by prominent investors including Eastern Bell Capital, Noah, Sky9 Capital, Freshwave Fund, and Beingboom Capital, with 100Summit Partners serving as the exclusive financial adviser. The investment will enable MetaComp to expand its StableX Network across Southeast Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East, regions where demand for compliant, high-speed settlement infrastructure is growing.

Co-President of MetaComp, Tin Pei Ling, highlighted the importance of regulatory clarity around stablecoins, stating, “Our volumes now exceeding US$1b a month across more than 30 markets show that businesses want real-time payments that combine speed with compliance.”

MetaComp’s StableX Network, launched in November, integrates the StableX Engine for FX and liquidity with the VisionX Engine for compliance, providing a real-time cross-border settlement layer. This infrastructure supports over 10 leading stablecoins and aims to enhance the speed and transparency of transactions.

The funds will also bolster MetaComp’s technology development and global market expansion, positioning the company as a leader in Web2.5 financial solutions. As Ron Cao, Founder and Partner of Sky9 Capital, noted, “MetaComp has secured an advantageous position in the structural growth phase of stablecoin payments.”

With this strategic investment, MetaComp is set to play a pivotal role in the advancement of digital finance across Asia and beyond.

eSignGlobal, a prominent provider of electronic signature and digital contract services, has announced a strategic partnership with Lion-OCBC Capital Asia, a private equity fund under OCBC Bank. This collaboration, revealed during the 18th Singapore-Zhejiang Economic and Trade Council meeting, aims to establish a cross-border digital trust ecosystem linking China and Southeast Asia. The partnership signifies eSignGlobal’s strategic backing from a leading financial institution, integrating technology and capital to foster regional digital trust.

The agreement will see eSignGlobal setting up its Southeast Asian headquarters in Singapore, leveraging Lion-OCBC Capital Asia’s extensive financial network to expand into key ASEAN economies. The company plans to enhance its services for Chinese enterprises by collaborating with local service providers like FOZL Group, integrating digital signing into corporate registration and compliance processes.

A significant development in this partnership is eSignGlobal’s integration with Singpass, Singapore’s National Digital Identity platform. This integration allows users to sign electronic contracts by scanning a QR code with the Singpass app, addressing cross-border trade challenges such as identity verification and contract turnaround times. This initiative complies with Singapore’s Electronic Transactions Act, reinforcing digital trust between China and Singapore.

Sim Ann, Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and National Development, endorsed eSignGlobal’s technological advancements, highlighting the potential for expanded digital cooperation. Jin Hongzhou, CEO of eSignGlobal, emphasised the company’s commitment to building a secure digital business infrastructure, aiming to enable a quarter of the global population to use eSignGlobal for contract signing.

Digital Realty has announced the introduction of a new FastConnect point-of-presence for Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) in Singapore, offering businesses in the region improved low-latency access and enhanced redundancy for hybrid, cloud-adjacent, and AI-driven workloads. This development is part of Digital Realty’s ongoing collaboration with Oracle, reinforcing Singapore’s status as a strategic hub for digital infrastructure and AI transformation.

The new connectivity option will enable enterprises across Southeast Asia to efficiently support their cloud and AI workloads. Serene Nah, Managing Director and Head of Asia Pacific at Digital Realty, stated, “The launch of OCI FastConnect in Singapore marks an important step in our continued partnership with Oracle, and ongoing commitment to helping customers deploy cloud and AI workloads with speed and confidence.”

In addition to the FastConnect service, Digital Realty is launching the first Oracle Solution Centre in Singapore through its PlatformDIGITAL. This facility will allow businesses to design, test, and validate hybrid and AI architectures in a secure environment. Chris Chelliah, Senior Vice President of Technology and Customer Strategy at Oracle Japan & Asia Pacific, highlighted the importance of this development, noting that it provides “high throughput, private, and secure connectivity” essential for evolving AI applications.

Earlier this year, Digital Realty participated in the launch of the Oracle AI Centre of Excellence in Singapore, further cementing its role in advancing AI and cloud technologies in the region. This initiative is expected to facilitate the training of teams and experimentation in secure cloud environments, driving digital transformation across Asia Pacific.

FedEx has unveiled its Global Economic Impact Report for the fiscal year 2025, showcasing a substantial $5.7b contribution to the Asia Pacific (APAC) economy. The report, developed with Dun & Bradstreet, highlights FedEx’s role in enhancing connectivity and innovation across the region, which is increasingly pivotal in global trade.

Operating in APAC for over 40 years, FedEx employs tens of thousands across 43 markets, linking them to the global economy. In FY25, the company indirectly contributed $1.6b to the region, with significant investments in the Transportation, Storage, and Communications sector, and the Manufacturing sector. Salil Chari, senior vice president of marketing and customer experience at FedEx Asia Pacific, noted, “Asia Pacific is one of the most dynamic and diverse markets in the world… Our customers span small e-commerce entrepreneurs to global manufacturers.”

Key developments in the report include new flight routes, such as a direct round-trip between Singapore and the US, and a new route connecting Guangzhou, Bangalore, UAE, Liège, and Paris. FedEx also opened new facilities in Bali and Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor to meet rising demand. The company spent $1.9b with suppliers in APAC, with 88% being small enterprises, underscoring its commitment to local entrepreneurship.

FedEx’s sustainability initiatives include adopting electric vehicles in multiple APAC markets and installing solar panels at its South Pacific Regional Hub in Singapore. These efforts are part of FedEx’s broader goal to achieve carbon-neutral operations by 2040. The report underscores FedEx’s ongoing investment in the region, aiming to make supply chains smarter, faster, and more sustainable.

The Straits Times Index (STI) saw an increase of 8 points, or 0.17%, closing at 4,531.36, driven by gains in United Overseas Bank (UOB) and Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation (OCBC). Despite a decline in DBS shares, the positive performance of UOB and OCBC helped the STI maintain its upward trajectory.

The market’s optimism was further bolstered by Wall Street, where all major indices posted gains amidst expectations of an interest rate cut. This global sentiment provided a favourable backdrop for local stocks.

In other market developments, an offer has been made to take LKH private at $0.52 (S$0.72) per share. Meanwhile, Manulife US Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) has announced a strategic shift towards retail and industrial sectors, indicating a potential change in its investment focus.

Cordlife, a healthcare company, is facing a $3.95m (S$5.45m) civil claim from clients over damaged cord blood units, highlighting ongoing challenges in the sector.

Additionally, the FTSE ST Industrials Index has shown significant growth, rising 40% so far in 2025, according to Singapore Exchange (SGX) Research. This reflects a robust performance in the industrial sector, contributing to the overall market strength.

Looking ahead, the market will be closely watching the anticipated rate cut decision, which could further influence investor sentiment and market dynamics.

The Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) has announced the launch of a land tender for three private residential sites at Dunearn Road, Kallang Close, and Lentor Central as part of the second half of 2025 Government Land Sales (GLS) programme. These sites are expected to yield approximately 330, 470, and 560 units, respectively, with tenders closing in early 2026.

Dunearn Road, the second site under Bukit Timah Turf City’s long-term rejuvenation plan, is set to become a vibrant housing estate over the next 20 to 30 years. Located near Sixth Avenue MRT station, the site will include 1,400 square metres of commercial space on the ground floor, enhancing convenience for future residents. The first Turf City parcel saw nine bids, and Realion (OrangeTee & ETC)’s Deputy Group CEO, Justin Quek, anticipates three to six bidders for this site, with land rates between S$1,300 and S$1,400 per square foot per plot ratio (psf ppr).

Kallang Close, near Kallang MRT station, offers potential river views and proximity to Kallang Riverside Park. The area’s transformation from industrial estates to new neighbourhoods promises a vibrant future. The Dorset Road site in the Kallang Planning Area previously attracted nine bids, and Quek expects similar interest here, with four to seven bidders and land rates of S$1,200 to S$1,300 psf ppr.

Lentor Central, the eighth plot in Lentor Hills estate, is close to Lentor MRT Station and Lentor Modern mall. Despite seven parcels already sold, demand remains strong, with limited unsold units in launched projects. Quek predicts one to three bidders for this site, with land rates between S$900 and S$1,000 psf ppr.

These developments highlight the ongoing transformation and growth in Singapore’s residential landscape, with significant interest expected from developers.

Shopee, a leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia, Taiwan, and Brazil, has announced a S$50m investment over the next year to accelerate the growth of Singapore’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This initiative coincides with Shopee’s 10th anniversary and aims to address key growth areas identified by SMEs, such as reducing start-up costs, enhancing skills, and expanding internationally.

The investment will support SMEs at various stages of their growth journey. For new sellers, Shopee offers 0% commission fees for the first 120 days and a 30-day free trial of the Shopee Coin Cashback Programme. This initiative aims to ease cost pressures and help businesses establish their online presence.

Shopee is also expanding its upskilling programmes, including the Seller Mentor Programme, which pairs new entrepreneurs with experienced sellers. Additionally, the platform will introduce AI-powered tools to improve operational efficiency, such as AI Product Photo and AI Model Try-On features.

For growing SMEs, Shopee is enhancing fulfilment support through its Fulfilled by Shopee (FBS) service, offering a 12-month free trial with benefits like free handling fees and storage. The platform also invests in marketing solutions, such as the Shopee Affiliate Marketing Solutions and YouTube Shopping Affiliate Programme, to help SMEs broaden their reach.

To support international expansion, Shopee provides export programmes like the Shopee International Platform (SIP) and the Singapore–Malaysia Direct Selling Programme, enabling SMEs to access new markets with minimal complexity.

Shopee’s Director of Singapore, Chua Kel Jin, stated, “As we celebrate our 10th anniversary, this latest investment reflects the commitment we made on day one to walk alongside SMEs in their growth journey.” The platform remains dedicated to supporting local entrepreneurs through continued investment in capability building, fulfilment, and regional access.