Singapore

The largest financial institutions operating in Singapore are to use the new information-sharing system, voluntarily at first.
Finance

Singapore taps HSBC, Citi for rigid money laundering controls

City's lawmakers pass bill paving way for banks to cross-share information

9 May 2023
An Indonesian soldier guards the Meruorah hotel in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, on May 8 ahead of the ASEAN summit.
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar overshadows ASEAN summit talks on economy, South China Sea

Indonesia and Singapore condemn attack on humanitarian convoy

9 May 2023
Wavemaker Impact is focused on building companies that have the potential to reach $100 million in recurring revenue and also reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 100 million tonnes annually. (Source photo by Reuters and logo from YouTube)
DealStreetAsia

Singapore-based Wavemaker Impact nearing final close of debut fund

Founding partner says builder of climate tech ventures may exceed target

8 May 2023
South Korea's Pohang University of Science and Technology wants to become a "metaversity" with digital classrooms.
Education

Metaverse education blossoms in South Korea, Japan, Taiwan

Teaching taps VR even as emerging tech's mass adoption remains in doubt

8 May 2023
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, left, shakes hands with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on May 5 at Singapore Changi Airport. (Photo courtesy of Japan's Cabinet Public Affairs Office)
International relations

Singapore hopes Japan will play role in security, PM Lee tells Kishida

Japanese leader visits Southeast Asian nation on return trip from Africa

5 May 2023
HSBC's research unit last month in a report flagged "pockets of vulnerabilities" within lenders in the ASEAN.
Finance

ASEAN banks squeezed between credit risks and interest dynamics

Largely spared Western peers' woes, Southeast Asian lenders still face obstacles

5 May 2023
Launched in 2006, Simon Black-led Ppro helps online services and e-commerce sites accept various payment options. (Source photos courtesy of Ppro and screenshot from Ppro’s website)
Finance

Fintech unicorn Ppro eyes India expansion, Japan entry: CEO

Company partners with UPI payments system in world's most populous country

4 May 2023
Migrant workers replace a billboard without any safety equipment in Kuala Lumpur in 2017. "The Visible Invisibles: Stories of Migrant Workers in Asia" shines a light on the harsh working and living conditions that such laborers often have to endure.  
Books

Book review: Exploring the lives of Asia's 'visible invisibles'

Authors pay tribute to migrant workers who keep regional economies running

4 May 2023
GenZero CEO Frederick Teo wants the company to become a frame of reference for climate and decarbonization investing. (Photo by Dylan Loh)
Climate Change

Temasek-owned investor GenZero eyes sustainable aviation fuels

Singapore investment company weighs bets on green energy like hydrogen power

28 April 2023
The Singaporean government on April 26 announced tax increases on the purchase of residential property as it tries to cool a market heated up by the easing of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Property

Singapore doubles tax for foreigners' home purchases

City-state raises duty to 60% from 30% to cool hot real estate market

27 April 2023
GXS is offering personal loans of as low as S$200 on its app. (Photo courtesy of GXS Bank)
Finance

Superapp Grab's digital bank launches instant loans in Singapore

Virtual lender GXS expands product line for gig workers and digital natives

25 April 2023
Cosmose AI provides artificial intelligence-driven analytics and helps retailers connect with offline consumers via online ads. (Source photo by Reuters and logo from Cosmose AI website)
DealStreetAsia

Singapore's Cosmose AI raises funds; valuation jumps to $500m

Offline shopping analytics company's customers include LVMH and Estee Lauder

25 April 2023
Singapore's Oyika has ambitions to become Southeast Asia's leading EV service provider. (Source photo by Reuters with logos from Oyika and Banpu Next websites)
DealStreetAsia

Singapore EV battery startup Oyika secures $8.75m in funding

Thai smart energy company Banpu Next invests amount as part of Series B round

24 April 2023
GIC bought the Naeba Prince Hotel in ski destination Yuzawa from Seibu Holdings in 2022. (Photo courtesy of Naeba Prince Hotel)
Business trends

Singapore's Japan M&A tops annual record by April at $2.65bn

GIC and bargain hunters behind record pace of investments

23 April 2023
Singapore-based Grab is the leader in food delivery in Southeast Asia where it operates in 500 cities. (Source photos by AP and Reuters)
Technology

Southeast Asia taxi, food delivery companies eye tourism windfall

Foodpanda partners with Tada, while Grab expands ties with Asian superapps

21 April 2023
The Monetary Authority of Singapore wants to establish the city-state as Asia's climate financing hub.
Climate Change

Singapore to tighten 'greenwashing' audit as climate finance grows

Regulator MAS drawing up framework to clarify boundaries for companies

20 April 2023
Cortical plans to use the funding to accelerate commercialization of its operating system and fulfill preorders. (Source photos by Reuters and screenshot from Cortical Labs and Horizons Ventures)
DealStreetAsia

Australia and Singapore AI startup Cortical Labs raises $10m

Funding round led by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing's Horizons Ventures

19 April 2023
Meta and Google are both rushing to develop artificial intelligence tools in a battle for regional clout amid a rush for ChatGPT-style AI applications.
Technology

Google, Meta lift AI stakes in Asia amid ChatGPT hype

Facebook parent taps emerging tech for region's 'next billion users'

18 April 2023
 Pearl Lam Galleries’ booth at Art SG. (All photos by Juliana Tan)
Arts

Art SG propels Singapore to creative big leagues

New art fair puts city-state on map for galleries and collectors alike

15 April 2023
Singapore's tourism sector has benefited from economic reopening but the manufacturing sector faces weaker demand from major trading partners.
Economy

Singapore pauses monetary tightening as Q1 growth slows to 0.1%

Central bank keeps policy unchanged for first time in 2 years

14 April 2023
Moderna is looking into making COVID-19 vaccines tailored to specific countries or regions. (Source photos by Reuters) 
COVID vaccines

Moderna eyes local COVID vaccines for Japan, other countries

Chief Medical Officer Paul Burton highlights room for region-specific shots

12 April 2023
A Beijing meat stall accepts cashless payments through the use of QR codes. China was the least cash-dependent country in Asia in 2022.
Finance

Thailand, Japan and Vietnam lag in Asia's digital payments rush

Cash remains vital in many nations despite declining usage across region: report

12 April 2023
Nikkei will support an SPH Media project exploring potential applications for its digital news offerings. (Source photos by Keiichiro Asahara and Masayuki Kozono)
Announcements

Nikkei, Singapore's SPH Media to collaborate on digital tech

Groups to collaborate on improving data analytics and talent development

12 April 2023
Singapore's central business district. The city-state's new work visa scheme is expected to affect many multinationals.
Work

Singapore favors AI, alternative food talent in new visa scheme

Analysts say upcoming point-based criteria makes companies rethink hiring

10 April 2023
Tourists take photos in front of the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. The resort does not expect to finish its expansion project until 2028.
Travel & Leisure

Singapore's casino resort expansions mired in delays

Projects at Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa likely pushed into 2028

9 April 2023