The Singapore Business Times

Asean fintechs may list in US market on dual-listing track

Mon, 18 Jan 2021 21:50:00 GMT

SOME Asean fintechs may look to soon list in both their home markets and the US, riding on the demand for growth stocks from this part of the world, said a top Citi banker.

Singapore's December trade rebound set to continue into 2021

Mon, 18 Jan 2021 21:50:00 GMT

ANALYSTS are pencilling in a solid economic recovery for Singapore and the region, after non-oil domestic exports (NODX) surged in December. The rebound is tipped to carry over into the new year, as Asian economies shake off the Covid-19 malaise.

SIA can be world's first vaccinated international airline: Ong Ye Kung

Mon, 18 Jan 2021 21:50:00 GMT

SINGAPORE Airlines can be the first vaccinated international airline of the world, as an exercise gets under way in the Republic to inoculate some 37,000 aviation and maritime frontline workers against the novel coronavirus.

2021 construction demand forecast to recover

Mon, 18 Jan 2021 21:50:00 GMT

TOTAL construction demand is projected to recover to between S$23 billion and S$28 billion this year, but industry players are mixed on whether they have the capacity to cope with the rising demand, given manpower issues.

Malaysia gives economy RM15b shot in arm to fight pandemic

Mon, 18 Jan 2021 21:50:00 GMT

MALAYSIA has unveiled a fresh RM15 billion (S$4.94 billion) stimulus package - worth about 1.1 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP) - to prevent a deterioration in the economy as it battles the coronavirus scourge.

Private home buyers undaunted by rise in unemployment rate last year

Mon, 18 Jan 2021 21:50:00 GMT

HIGHER unemployment is a symptom of Singapore's worst recession since its independence - but all those dour numbers have not deterred home buyers here.

Singapore government keeping close watch on property market

Mon, 18 Jan 2021 21:50:00 GMT

THE Singapore government is paying "close attention" to the local real estate market "to ensure that it remains stable", said Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat.

Rescue deals lift 2020 equity fundraising to 10-year high

Sun, 17 Jan 2021 21:50:00 GMT

THE jumbo rights issue for Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Sembcorp Marine, as well as fundraising by Singapore real estate investment trusts (S-Reits) for mega asset acquisitions last year pushed secondary equity fundraising in 2020 to a whopping S$12 billion - the highest in a decade.

Not-so-festive season for food manufacturers with supply crunch, missed opportunities, higher costs

Sun, 17 Jan 2021 21:50:00 GMT

ONGOING supply chain issues and unpredictable demand due to the coronavirus pandemic are making it hard for food manufacturers and suppliers in Singapore to do their usual roaring business during the peak festive seasons.

Sunningdale latest to face activist investor Quarz

Sun, 17 Jan 2021 21:50:00 GMT

QUARZ Capital Management is at it again. Barely six weeks after winning a bruising battle to prevent Sabana Reit from merging with ESR-Reit on value-destructive terms, the activist investor has turned its sights on Sunningdale Tech - a precision plastic components maker in the throes of a private equity buyout.

KKR looks to Singapore as key investment market for new US$1.7b Asia real estate fund

Sun, 17 Jan 2021 21:50:00 GMT

INVESTMENT firm KKR, which recently closed a US$1.7 billion fund, has set its sights on Singapore as one of the core markets for the fund which is targeting real estate investments in the Asia-Pacific.

Rethinking mental health: wellness startups and apps on the upswing

Fri, 15 Jan 2021 21:50:00 GMT

A year of lockdowns, remote working and prolonged periods of physical distancing has driven consumers' demand for healthcare at their fingertips. Digital tools centered on mental health and wellness, in particular, have been rising in prominence.

Malaysian businesses reposition to target local consumers

Fri, 15 Jan 2021 21:50:00 GMT

AFTER almost a year of closed international borders, Malaysian businesses that previously relied heavily on tourists - especially from neighbouring Singapore - to drive sales are repositioning to target local consumers.

Developers expected to continue milking positive market conditions to push new projects this year

Fri, 15 Jan 2021 21:50:00 GMT

AFTER topping their 2019 sales performance last year despite the pandemic-induced recession, developers are poised to continue their new project launch momentum this year.

Banks, MAS urge switch to e-hongbao

Fri, 15 Jan 2021 21:50:00 GMT

POPPING open a bright-red hongbao and pulling out crisp new bank notes has been a traditional Chinese New Year (CNY) experience for many people across Singapore, but that's due to change this year.

BHG to open new concept at Robinsons' former Raffles City space

Fri, 15 Jan 2021 21:50:00 GMT

DEPARTMENT store operator BHG Singapore is taking over the first two floors of the space formerly occupied by Robinsons Singapore at Raffles City Shopping Centre.

Chinese investors can soothe Xiaomi's US pains

Fri, 15 Jan 2021 21:50:00 GMT

IT'S good to be able to turn to friends for support. Chinese phone maker Xiaomi lost some US$10 billion in market value following its addition to a US blacklist of companies deemed to have military ties. Others already tagged, including China Mobile, have recently seen local buying ease the pain of US selling. Xiaomi, a market darling, can expect something similar.

Court rejects bid by Ocean Tankers JMs to strike out PetroChina's writs against four ships

Fri, 15 Jan 2021 21:50:00 GMT

THE judicial managers of Ocean Tankers have failed to set aside or strike out the writs filed by PetroChina International (Singapore) over cargo claims against four vessels chartered by the beleaguered oil shipper.

Four rules that should guide Bidenomics

Fri, 15 Jan 2021 21:50:00 GMT

HERE we go again. For the second time in 12 years, a newly elected Democratic president is inheriting an economy in deep distress. And while it's hard to focus on such things after last week's Trumpist putsch, a lot depends on whether Joe Biden's plan to deal with our economic woes is effective.

Bank Indonesia's new rules for digital payment not expected to deter foreign investors

Thu, 14 Jan 2021 21:50:00 GMT

FOREIGN investor interest in Indonesia's red-hot digital economy is unlikely to be impacted by the latest regulations by Bank Indonesia (BI) surrounding ownership limits in the country's online payment sector, say industry players.