Industry News

FWD Singapore recently collaborated with Club Rainbow (Singapore) to host the FWD Community Care Day 2025, marking Singapore’s 60th year of independence. Held on 24 October at the Singapore Zoo and River Wonders, the event brought together over 200 beneficiaries, caregivers, and FWD volunteers. This initiative aimed to support children with chronic illnesses and their families, reflecting FWD’s commitment to community empowerment and compassion.

The event was part of FWD Group’s broader community engagement across Asia, supported by the FWD Community Grant. This grant is one of 12 regional initiatives launched this year to promote inclusion and well-being. Adrian Vincent, CEO of FWD Insurance Singapore, emphasised the significance of the collaboration, stating, “FWD believes in empowering people to live fulfilling lives, no matter the circumstances.”

Participants enjoyed a day of exploration and connection, with FWD volunteers accompanying Club Rainbow beneficiaries through interactive exhibits and animal encounters. The event also included the donation of Mandai activity books to enhance the experience. Families had the option to continue enjoying the parks after the formal programme, fostering a sense of joy and discovery.

This initiative builds on a successful collaboration from the previous year, which raised over $40,000 for Club Rainbow. The ongoing partnership aims to foster a culture of empathy and shared responsibility within FWD, whilst directly supporting Club Rainbow’s mission. Teo Siang Loong, Executive Director of Club Rainbow, highlighted the impact of such partnerships, stating, “FWD Community Care Day 2025 demonstrates what is possible when corporate partners engage charities and the vulnerable communities we serve.”

Prudential plc has announced that Regional CEO John Cai will depart the company on 31 October 2025 for personal reasons. In response, Prudential has restructured its leadership, appointing Naveen Tahilyani to expand his responsibilities to include the Southeast Asian markets of Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, alongside India and Africa. Tahilyani will also lead the Agency and Health functions.

Tahilyani’s appointment leverages his extensive experience in insurance and global companies, where he has driven large-scale transformations across various markets. His notable achievements include significantly expanding an agency force in India, elevating the organisation from 17th to 3rd in retail weighted new business, and setting industry benchmarks in productivity and customer experience.

Additionally, Dennis Tan, Regional CEO for Singapore, Thailand, and Partnership Distribution, will now also oversee Vietnam and the Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar cluster. Meanwhile, Angel Ng will continue her role as Regional CEO for Greater China, Customer, Wealth, and Product.

Prudential’s leadership changes aim to ensure a smooth transition and maintain its commitment to providing accessible financial and health solutions across its markets. The company, listed on multiple stock exchanges, including Hong Kong and London, continues to focus on being a trusted partner for current and future generations.

Fu Yu Corporation Limited has announced a net profit of S$2.4m for the third quarter of 2025, marking a significant achievement for the company. The manufacturing sector of the corporation experienced a remarkable 61.1% increase in gross profit, reaching S$5.8m during the same period. This financial performance underscores Fu Yu’s robust operational strategies and market positioning.

The impressive growth in gross profit highlights the company’s ability to optimise its manufacturing processes and enhance efficiency. This achievement is particularly noteworthy given the challenging economic landscape many industries face. Fu Yu’s strategic focus on innovation and cost management has evidently paid off, contributing to its strong financial results.

The company’s leadership attributes this success to a combination of strategic investments and a dedicated workforce. The substantial rise in gross profit reflects Fu Yu’s commitment to maintaining high standards in manufacturing and its ability to adapt to market demands effectively.

Looking ahead, Fu Yu Corporation is poised to continue its growth trajectory, leveraging its strong financial foundation to explore new opportunities and expand its market presence. The company’s performance in Q3 2025 sets a positive tone for future quarters, as it aims to sustain its profitability and drive further growth in the manufacturing sector.

Savills Singapore has announced the sale of a rare 999-year conservation shophouse located at 8 North Canal Road, in the heart of Singapore’s Raffles Place Financial District. This three-storey property, with an attic, occupies a 953 sq ft land plot and boasts a built-up area of approximately 3,154 sq ft. The shophouse is surrounded by a vibrant mix of heritage buildings, commercial offices, and renowned food and beverage establishments, making it a prime investment opportunity.

The property, meticulously maintained by its long-time owner, retains its original façade and traditional layout, offering a clean and functional interior. It is being sold with vacant possession, allowing investors to explore various commercial uses such as food and beverage, retail, office, or wellness concepts, subject to approval from authorities.

Yap Hui Yee, Executive Director of Investment Sales & Capital Markets at Savills Singapore, highlighted the property’s potential: “Shophouses along 8 North Canal Road have always formed a lively and tightly held stretch. The property presents investors with a rare opportunity to acquire a 999-year shophouse rich in history and character.”

Strategically located near Raffles Place MRT Interchange and Clarke Quay MRT station, the property offers seamless connectivity to the Central Business District. Zoned as “Commercial” under the 2025 Master Plan, the sale is exempt from Seller’s Stamp Duty and Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty, and is open to foreign buyers and companies.

The indicative guide price for the shophouse is $12.3m (S$16.8m), with the sale conducted through an Expression of Interest exercise closing on 5 December 2025.

A new collaboration between Microsoft, Enterprise Singapore, and NUS Enterprise was unveiled at the Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology (SWITCH) conference, aiming to accelerate the growth of 150 AI startups over the next three years. Announced by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, the initiative will streamline access to funding through the Startup SG Tech grant, enhancing the local AI ecosystem.

Building on the existing AI Accelerate programme, the collaboration introduces a Go-To-Market (GTM) programme. This will provide startups with practical guidance from Microsoft experts to achieve product-market fit and commercialisation. Enterprise Singapore will work with Microsoft to expedite access to the Startup SG Tech grant, selecting high-potential startups for funding.

The programme is set to begin in January 2026, with applications open until 14 November 2025. Startups must be Singapore-based, post-MVP, and operate in B2B or scalable B2C markets. The 10-week sprint will culminate in an Investor Day in May 2026, where startups will pitch to venture capitalists and corporate partners.

Microsoft ASEAN President Mayank Wadhwa highlighted the collaboration’s potential to shape AI innovation in Asia, stating, “Entrepreneurs will have the tools and resources they need to build their ideas, reach customers, and scale beyond borders.” Enterprise Singapore Managing Director Cindy Khoo emphasised the transformative potential of AI, noting the importance of proactive partnerships to drive innovation.

This initiative is poised to position Singapore as a leader in the AI economy, fostering a robust ecosystem for AI startups to thrive both locally and globally.

The industrial sector in Singapore continues to demonstrate resilience, with rents and prices experiencing moderate growth and vacancy rates tightening, according to Cushman & Wakefield’s Q3 2025 report. The purchasing manager index (PMI) reached 50.1 in September, indicating a marginal expansion in manufacturing sentiments. This, coupled with declining interest rates and easing inflation, has contributed to the positive outlook.

Industrial rents increased by 0.5% quarter-on-quarter (qoq) in Q3 2025, marking the 20th consecutive quarter of growth. However, this was a slight moderation from the 0.7% qoq growth seen in Q2 2025. The warehouse segment led the rental growth, rising by 0.9% qoq, driven by sustained demand and limited supply. Meanwhile, single-user factory rents grew by 0.7% qoq, whilst multiple-user factory rents saw a slower growth of 0.4% qoq.

Vacancy rates fell to 10.9%, the lowest since Q4 2022, with single-user factories, warehouses, and business parks recording lower rates. Notable completions in Q3 2025 included the CT Foodnex food factory and major warehouse developments at 15 Benoi Sector and 5 Toh Guan Road East.

Despite a higher supply of single-user factories and warehouses, pre-commitment levels remain strong. Prime logistics developments are in tight supply, with the next major project not expected until 2028. Business park vacancy rates decreased slightly to 23%, with a notable disparity between city-fringe and suburban locations.

Overall, industrial prices grew by 0.6% qoq, marking the sixth consecutive quarter of increase. Whilst transaction volumes declined by 2.2% qoq, they remain above pre-pandemic levels, with investors showing interest in assets with repurposing potential.

Amazon Singapore is ushering in the festive season with a 12-day Black Friday Sale from 20 November to 1 December. Shoppers can expect hundreds of thousands of deals across various categories, including Toys, Electronics, and Home essentials, available at amazon.sg/blackfriday. This year’s sale is not just about discounts; new research commissioned by Amazon Singapore highlights changing consumer behaviours.

The YouGov study identifies “Deal Optimisers” as a prevalent shopping persona, with 42% of Singaporeans comparing prices and timing purchases around major sales. Gen Z shoppers are leading the trend for personalised gifts, with 58% preferring unique presents, compared to 39% of Millennials who favour practicality. Additionally, men are increasingly involved in gift planning, with 45% preparing gifts for partners during sales, nearly double the rate of women.

Peter Li, Director of China & Singapore, International Store at Amazon, noted, “Black Friday is one of the most exciting times of the year for Singapore shoppers, as it’s the perfect moment to prepare for the holidays and save on everything from big-ticket gifts to everyday essentials.”

The sale includes significant discounts, such as up to 40% off Sennheiser headphones and Dyson products, and up to 30% off LEGO sets. Amazon Prime members can enjoy additional benefits, including fast, free delivery and exclusive savings. This initiative aims to cater to the evolving needs of Singaporean shoppers, offering convenience and value during the holiday season.

The Singapore Department of Statistics has reported a 1.4% rise in the Import Price Index and a 0.6% increase in the Domestic Supply Price Index for September 2025 compared to August 2025. Conversely, the Export Price Index experienced a slight decline of 0.1%, and the Singapore Manufactured Products Price Index remained unchanged during the same period.

The data, which excludes oil, shows a 1.3% rise in the Import Price Index and a 0.2% increase in the Domestic Supply Price Index. Both the Export and Singapore Manufactured Products Price Indices fell by 0.1%.

These indices are crucial for understanding the economic landscape, as they reflect changes in the cost of goods entering and leaving Singapore, impacting businesses and consumers alike. The statistics are available in detail through the Monthly Import and Export Price Indices and the Monthly Singapore Manufactured Products and Domestic Supply Price Indices publications.

The luxury property market in Singapore experienced a significant boost in the third quarter of 2025, according to Huttons’ Prestige Report. Sales of luxury non-landed homes surged by over 30% to 81 transactions, driven by new launches and increased resale activities. The geopolitical climate and a strong Singapore dollar have made the city-state an attractive destination for ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs) seeking stability.

The report highlights that an estimated 725 luxury non-landed units were rented out in Q3 2025, marking a 21.6% increase from the previous quarter. This trend is attributed to UHNWIs migrating to Singapore, potentially awaiting permanent residency before purchasing homes. Mark Yip, CEO of Huttons Asia, noted the appeal of Singapore’s stability for these individuals.

Good Class Bungalows (GCBs), another segment of the luxury market, saw 11 deals in Q3 2025, consistent with the previous quarter. The total transacted value of GCBs rose by 13.2% to $382.1m, driven by high-value transactions in areas like Dalvey Estate and Chee Hoon Avenue.

Looking ahead, the luxury non-landed market set a new benchmark in October 2025 with a record price of $6,501 per square foot for a unit at Skywaters Residences. Despite potential slowdowns during the year-end holidays, the market is poised for its best performance since 2022. Meanwhile, more realistic pricing could sustain interest in GCBs into the fourth quarter.

DBS and Goldman Sachs have completed the first-ever over-the-counter (OTC) cryptocurrency options trade between two banks, marking a significant milestone in the digital asset sector. This pioneering transaction involved cash-settled OTC Bitcoin and Ether options, showcasing the adoption of risk management practices typical of traditional asset classes.

The trade comes amid increasing demand for cryptocurrency-linked products, with institutional investors seeking to expand their exposure to digital assets. In the first half of 2025, DBS clients executed over $1b in cryptocurrency options and structured notes, with trade volumes rising nearly 60% from Q1 to Q2 2025.

Jacky Tai, Group Head of Trading and Structuring at DBS, emphasised the importance of trusted platforms in the digital asset space. “Our trade with Goldman Sachs highlights how platforms can now tap the strong credit ratings and structuring capabilities of banks to bring the best practices of traditional finance into the digital asset ecosystem,” he stated.

Max Minton, Head of Digital Assets in Asia Pacific at Goldman Sachs, noted the significance of the development. “The trade signifies the development of an interbank market for cash-settled OTC cryptocurrency options, an area where we expect to see continued growth as institutional investors become increasingly active in this space,” he said.

As the digital asset ecosystem continues to evolve, this transaction underscores the potential for further integration of traditional financial practices, paving the way for more robust and secure cryptocurrency trading environments. Investors are advised to carefully assess their investment objectives and risk appetite before engaging in cryptocurrency-linked products.