SeaPRwire
Read More

Putien: From hometown dishes to household name and global brand

elean
1 minute

SINGAPORE - When Mr Fong Chi Chung arrived in Singapore some 20 years ago from his native Fujian province to start his coffee shop eatery in Kitchener Road serving his hometown food, little did he imagine his humble venture would one day become an international chain of over 70 restaurants in 11 cities, including a Michelin-starred outlet. Besides 14 restaurants in Singapore, Putien now has outlets in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Hong Kong and the Chinese cities of Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hangzhou. Please subscribe or log in to continue reading the full article. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month Latest headlines and exclusive stories In-depth analyses and award-winning multimedia content Get access to all with our no-contract promotional package at only $0.99/month for the first 3 months* Subscribe now *Terms and conditions apply.

SeaPRwire
Read More

Local brain bank receives first donations of brains for research

aseanpr
4 minutes

SINGAPORE - The one-year-old Brain Bank Singapore (BBS) welcomed its first two "deposits" this year, with the first of two brains donated on Sept 10. Retrieving the brain is no mean feat. The body's powerhouse, which weighs 1.2kg on average, has to be carefully - and very respectfully - removed from the back or the top of the head of the dead person. This needs to be done within 24 to 48 hours to preserve the quality of the brain tissues, and the process takes around an hour. The person's skull is replaced before the scalp is stitched up. This allows for an open casket funeral to be conducted. Having a brain bank in Singapore is critical, Dr Joan Sim, manager at Brain Bank Singapore told The Straits Times. "The genetic background of brain tissues supplied by European and American tissue collections is not the same as the Asian genetics, and this will impact the research discoveries and also potentially the new drugs that are developed," Dr Sim said. "Having our own local brain bank will allow us to study our own patient cohorts to help understand how the Asian genetic background and the environment interacts to determine the characteristics of brain diseases amongst Singaporeans." ...

SeaPRwire
Read More

Air travel bubble will go on, Hong Kong visitors to take Covid-19 test on arrival in Singapore: CAAS

aseanpr
5 minutes

SINGAPORE - The first few flights under a travel arrangement between Hong Kong and Singapore will proceed as planned on Sunday (Nov 22) but travellers from Hong Kong will have to go for a Covid-19 test upon arriving in Singapore. The additional requirement, which will take effect on Sunday, comes after a rise in the number of Covid-19 cases in Hong Kong in recent days. Visitors from Hong Kong were previously required to take the test only prior to departure for Singapore. Revealing the change on Saturday (Nov 21), the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said visitors will need to take the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test at Changi Airport as "a precautionary measure". "More cases are expected in Hong Kong over the next few days due to the emergence of new clusters," said the CAAS in a statement. Hong Kong reported 26 cases on Friday (Nov 20), with its Health Secretary, Professor Sophia Chan, describing the situation as "severe". "The Singapore and Hong Kong health authorities are in close contact and monitoring the situation," the CAAS added. Speaking to reporters after a tour of Singapore Airlines training centre in Changi on Saturday, Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung s...

SeaPRwire
Read More

SPH shares jump 19% on heavy volume

elean
2 minutes

Shares of Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) surged yesterday amid active trading, prompting a query from the bourse operator. The stock surged 10.5 per cent to hit $1.16 at around 11.08am, according to ShareInvestor data. The last time the counter closed at such levels was in late July. It sustained its rally yesterday afternoon, jumping to $1.23 on a cum-dividend basis as at 3.38pm, up 17.1 per cent from Thursday's close. Some 69.5 million shares had changed hands by then, making the counter the second-most traded by value on the Singapore bourse, and fifth by volume. About 65 large trades - each valued at more than $150,000 - were done during the morning trading session. It eventually closed 19.05 per cent higher at $1.25, with 85.6 million shares changing hands. This represented over 5 per cent of SPH's issued and paid-up shares. The Newspaper and Printing Presses Act has, since 2002, prohibited any person from owning 5 per cent or more of a newspaper company without approval from the Minister for Communications and Information. In response to queries from the Singapore Exchange on the unusual trading activity, SPH said it regularly evaluates all opportunities across its portfolio ...

SeaPRwire
Read More

Nelson Loh said to have left Singapore as police probe firm

elean
4 minutes

Mr Nelson Loh, 40, co-founder of Novena Global Healthcare Group (NGHG) which is under police investigations, has left Singapore, said his cousin and former business partner Terence Loh. This came in a statement yesterday from Mr Terence Loh, 43, in response to an application by DBS Bank to wind up NGHG subsidiary Novena Global Healthcare. "Perhaps more than anyone else, I feel deeply betrayed by Nelson, who has left Singapore and appears to have no intention to sort out this terrible mess we are left with." The Straits Times understands from sources that Mr Nelson Loh is in China. The Singapore Police Force said it is unable to confirm whether Mr Nelson Loh has left the country, while the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority said it cannot discuss the details of individual cases for reasons of confidentiality. On Tuesday, DBS had applied to the High Court to wind up Novena Global Healthcare, which is believed to owe the bank millions of dollars. The application will be heard on Dec 11 and the subsidiary faces possible liquidation if the court agrees. The Singapore subsidiary of the Cayman Islands-incorporated group also faces further enforcement action from the Accounting and Corp...

SeaPRwire
Read More

Emerging Stronger Taskforce outlines new collaborative approach to drive economic growth in a post-Covid-19 world

aseanpr
4 minutes

SINGAPORE - A new "start-up" approach adopted by public agencies and the private sector working together on initiatives to drive economic growth may soon become the norm, with the Government keen on making this new agile way of collaboration more widespread. Members of the Emerging Singapore Taskforce (EST), convened in May to help chart a vision for the country and its industries in a post-Covid-19 world, said on Thursday (Nov 19) that this approach has seen the public and private sectors working alongside each other as partners - rather than as regulators and the regulated. They have also come up with prototypes even as the strategy is being worked out, instead of only moving when a direction has been set. Said Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, who chairs the Future Economy Council which the Taskforce comes under: "The emphasis is on taking quick action to prototype solutions and to concurrently explore ways to scale viable solutions across our economy and beyond." "In keeping with the spirit of Singapore Together, these efforts are led by industry leaders, working in close partnerships," he added, referring to the movement he and his fourth-generation colleagues launched las...

SeaPRwire
Read More

Global panel recommends Singapore’s hawker culture be added to Unesco list

aseanpr
4 minutes

SINGAPORE - Hawker culture in Singapore had its chances of being inscribed as an official Unesco intangible cultural heritage boosted on Tuesday (Nov 17), with an expert body recommending to the official panel that it be put on the coveted list. An evaluation body comprising 12 experts around the world - appointed by the 24-member intergovernmental committee that will give the final verdict in December this year - said in a highly anticipated report that Singapore's application satisfied all criteria. The evaluation body recommended that hawker culture here be added to the official list. In the past, the final decision in December has not always adhered closely to what has been recommended by the evaluation body. However, The Straits Times understands that those which have been approved by the evaluation body are typically given the nod. The report recognised that hawker culture provides Singapore "a sense of identity and continuity for people across the generations and in a context of urbanisation". "It plays a crucial social role in enhancing community interactions, fostering an inclusive society irrespective of the diverse social, religious and ethnic backgrounds of its people,"...

SeaPRwire
Read More

How business networks are helping members amid pandemic

elean
3 minutes

SINGAPORE - With the Covid-19 pandemic showing no signs of abating, business networks in Singapore have been facilitating information exchanges through webinars and establishing new initiatives to support member businesses. Business luncheons that used to be held face to face have been moved online to ensure that members can continue to engage with one another. The coronavirus outbreak has shown the value and importance of partnerships between businesses, the community and the authorities, chamber representatives said. Dr Lei Hsien-Hsien, chief executive of the American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (AmCham), said: "Collaboration between businesses and with the Government will be crucial to help return the economy to pre-Covid-19 levels of productivity and activity." AmCham is launching a programme later this month to support close to 200 of its small and medium-sized enterprise members, through avenues such as strategic partnerships and training and development, to help these firms grow and transform their businesses. The Singaporean-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (SGC) has conducted eight surveys over the past few months to better understand the impact of Covid-19 on ...

SeaPRwire
Read More

Singlife CEO channels funds to where he can add value

elean
1 minute

Cars may be depreciating assets in Singapore and are generally regarded as a poor investment from a financial standpoint, but Singlife founder and group chief executive Walter de Oude considers his car - a 2005 Aston Martin DB9 - a great investment. The 47-year-old South African native, who became a Singapore permanent resident in 2008, thinks that older cars in Singapore are good investments because they do not depreciate in value as much, are not as expensive to maintain as many would think and can always be resold or exported. Please subscribe or log in to continue reading the full article. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month Latest headlines and exclusive stories In-depth analyses and award-winning multimedia content Get access to all with our no-contract promotional package at only $0.99/month for the first 3 months* Subscribe now *Terms and conditions apply.

SeaPRwire
Read More

Semiconductor firms face hiring challenges even amid sector boom

elean
1 minute

The semiconductor sector is booming and continues to offer good job opportunities despite the economic downturn caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. But the problem is that not enough people are signing up to join the industry, the Singapore Semiconductor Industry Association told The Straits Times. Please subscribe or log in to continue reading the full article. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month Latest headlines and exclusive stories In-depth analyses and award-winning multimedia content Get access to all with our no-contract promotional package at only $0.99/month for the first 3 months* Subscribe now *Terms and conditions apply.

ACN Newswire
Read More

POWER WEEK ASIA 2021: Lifelike Virtual Conference for Power & Energy Experts

indie
4 minutes

SINGAPORE, Nov 13, 2020 - (ACN Newswire) - The 6th annual POWER WEEK ASIA Virtual Conference (15 - 18 March 2021) is now open for registration. Across 4 days, we will be broadcasting live interactive presentations, in-depth panel discussions, and networking sessions from leading experts across the world. POWER WEEK ASIA attracts the industry leaders from national power companies, government regulators, policy makers, renewable & IPPs, investors and suppliers from around the globe. With C-level speakers and attendees all under one roof, it offers the chance to learn the success strategies and pitfalls of notable power projects. The conference features 20+ engaging sessions covering government regulation & policy, market liberalisation, energy mix & integration, fossil fuels in power market, demand & supply, renewable energy outlook, energy transition, utility-scale solar development, wind energy, tariffs, energy storage, smart grid technologies, mini-grid & microgrid, digitalisation, electric vehicles, power trading, project finance, project development, energy efficiency and many more. Join in from wherever you are online either live or watch the sessions on-dem...

SeaPRwire
Read More

Singapore-Hong Kong air travel bubble has some first flights sold out

aseanpr
3 minutes

SYDNEY (REUTERS) - The opening of Asia's first "travel bubble" allowing tourism without quarantines since the coronavirus pandemic hit has sparked a surge in searches and bookings for travel between Singapore and Hong Kong, stirring hopes the model could be rolled out more broadly. Some of the first flights between the two cities, starting on Nov 22 on Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific Airways, have already sold out, amid a quota of 200 daily travellers that will rise to 400 on Dec 7. In the three hours after details were released on Wednesday (Nov 11), flight searches for Hong Kong to Singapore grew by 300 per cent, followed by a 200 per cent increase in Singapore hotel searches, according to Trip.com data. "I think in the short term, people who want to travel are, like, shaking in their pants right now to sign up to travel," said Mr Jameson Wong, APAC director of travel data firm ForwardKeys. "Christmas has been popular (for bookings), as offices will be closed." Airfares between the cities have risen by about HK$1,000 (S$174), or 35 per cent, since the travel bubble was announced last month, Daiwa analyst Kelvin Lau said in a note to clients. One-way Singapore-Hong Kong tick...

SeaPRwire
Read More

Expedia’s website operator BEX says it will stop false claims

aseanpr
3 minutes

SINGAPORE - The website operator of online travel company Expedia Singapore - BEX Travel Asia - has ceased its false claims on the validity period of its "Daily Deals" promotions and affirmed that it will not engage in further unfair practices from Thursday (Nov 12). The announcement follows an investigation by the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) in April last year. The commission found that there were at least 55 "Daily Deals" offers on the website, which claimed to expire at 11.59pm each day but the prices remained the same after midnight. These misleading promotions included hotel deals and holiday package deals which were offered on the Expedia Singapore website and e-mailed to customers on BEX's mailing list. "Such false claims in relation to promotional prices mislead consumers into believing that there is a price benefit which is only available for a limited period, thus creating unwarranted pressure or a sense of urgency for consumers to make an immediate purchase," said CCCS. The false promotional claims by BEX had been around since 2016 and were taken down in October last year while investigations were ongoing. The consumer watchdog, which issued a...

ACN Newswire
Read More

iROO raises funds for Rare Disorders Society Singapore

indie
3 minutes

SINGAPORE, Nov 11, 2020 - (ACN Newswire) - Taiwanese fashion label iROO International Pte Ltd (iROO) reunites with Rare Disorders Society Singapore (RDSS) for their third annual charity campaign, specially fronted by Taiwanese celebrity Carolyn Chen. Furthermore, anybody who wants to show their support can download the iROO mobile app and bring home Hope, RDSS's sloth mascot.Hope represents the many dreams and wishes that RDSS beneficiaries with a rare condition have. Despite their conditions, these children have the same hopes, dreams, and wishes, any children may have. Carrying Hope shows RDSS beneficiaries how much Singaporeans care and supports them.Anybody in Singapore and Malaysia who wants to support RDSS can get a Hope plushie from iROO. All they need to do is download iROO's mobile application available on iOS and Google Playstore here (https://iroo.onelink.me/lGAb) and purchase Hope for just $49 each. A pair of both plushies can be purchased at $77. Each Hope plushie will come in a limited edition iROO boy's or girl's outfit, making Hope a collectable item. Taiwanese celebrity, Carolyn Chen, known for her roles in "The Bold, The Corrupt, and The Beautiful" and "In the Fam...

SeaPRwire

99 Group acquires real estate portal SRX

elean
2 minutes

99 Group, which operates property portal 99.co, has acquired property platform and real estate data provider Singapore Real Estate Exchange (SRX) for an undisclosed sum. As part of the acquisition, 99 Group will acquire all the shares in StreetSine Singapore, a subsidiary of Singapore Press Holdings. 99 Group said yesterday that it will retain all SRX employees and integrate the team in the coming weeks. It expects the transaction to be completed by the second quarter of next year. The move will bring SRX under the same umbrella as other Singapore property platforms 99.co and iProperty.com.sg. 99 Group said this will create a widened pool of listings, information and data tools, enabling it to offer consumers and real estate professionals in Singapore better value and more competitive packages. 99 Group chief executive Darius Cheung noted that the industry needs to digitalise to meet evolving consumer needs. "Reliable property data is especially important as property hunting continues to shift online even though physical viewings are now allowed again, suggesting a lasting change in consumer behaviour," he said. SRX chief executive Jason Barakat-Brown said: "Our businesses and team...

SeaPRwire
Read More

Port of Singapore named best seaport in Asia for the 32nd time

aseanpr
2 minutes

SINGAPORE - Singapore beat out three other contenders - Hong Kong, Shanghai and Shenzhen - to clinch the title of best seaport in Asia, for the 32nd time. The Port of Singapore won the "Best Seaport - Asia" award at the 2020 Asian Freight, Logistics and Supply Chain (Aflas) Awards held in Hong Kong on Monday (Nov 9), said the Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) on Tuesday (Nov 10). "This is a testament to the Port of Singapore's efficiency and continued leadership in driving maritime innovation," said MPA. The Aflas Awards are organised by the publication Asia Cargo News to recognise organisations that demonstrate leadership as well as consistency in service quality, innovation, customer relationship management and reliability. The winners emerged from votes cast by readers of the publication. "As a global hub port, the Port of Singapore continues to play a key role in keeping global supply chains going, particularly as the world economy starts re-opening," said MPA chief executive Quah Ley Hoon. "While we are humbled by this affirmation and thank the industry for their support, we will continue to strive to uphold high standards of service and drive initiatives that enable a low-car...

SeaPRwire
Read More

Discover hidden heartland gems with new tours around Singapore’s neighbourhoods

aseanpr
3 minutes

SINGAPORE - For those who have always wanted to explore the nooks and crannies of Singapore's heartland, a new series of tours launched on Monday (Nov 9) hopes to do just that. The first of 10 tours will be on Nov 29, taking participants through the estates of Ang Mo Kio and Kebun Baru. Around 80 spots are available for the tour, which includes stops at locations of historical and cultural significance around Ang Mo Kio Town Central and Kebun Baru Neighbourhood Centre. Led by guides from City Tours, these heartland jaunts will last approximately three and a half hours, and will involve eight groups of no more than 10 people moving around the districts. In Ang Mo Kio, one will be able to explore wall murals and visit old shops and stores that have been standing for decades. And in Kebun Baru, tour participants will visit hidden gems like the district's bird cage street, where bird singing competitions used to be held. Foodies can also anticipate stops at the Mayflower Market and Hawker Centre, and Ang Mo Kio Central Market and Food Centre. The tour will also include a ride on a FunVee open-top double-decker bus, complete with live commentary. Those who are unable to go for the tours...

SeaPRwire

Life insurers’ balancing act only gets harder

elean
1 minute

A persistent low interest rate environment and a tougher risk-based capital framework would make it harder for Singapore life insurers to deliver the projected non-guaranteed bonuses linked to participating or par funds, even though most of the 10 key life insurers are able to at least support any such payouts. Based on insurers' 2019 returns that were filed with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), Manulife Singapore, Prudential Singapore and AIA Singapore topped the geometric average net investment returns for par funds for the three-year, five-year and 10-year periods respectively. Please subscribe or log in to continue reading the full article. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month Latest headlines and exclusive stories In-depth analyses and award-winning multimedia content Get access to all with our no-contract promotional package at only $0.99/month for the first 3 months* Subscribe now *Terms and conditions apply.

SeaPRwire
Read More

Ant to push ahead with Singapore digital bank licence application

elean
1 minute

Billionaire Jack Ma's Ant Group will continue with its application for a digital banking licence in Singapore, even after the company's record US$37 billion (S$49.9 billion) dual listings in China and Hong Kong were suddenly halted. A source familiar with the matter yesterday told The Straits Times it is business as usual in Singapore and Ant's other overseas markets. Please subscribe or log in to continue reading the full article. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month Latest headlines and exclusive stories In-depth analyses and award-winning multimedia content Get access to all with our no-contract promotional package at only $0.99/month for the first 3 months* Subscribe now *Terms and conditions apply.

SeaPRwire

Look to China for opportunities: Minister

elean
2 minutes

China's rebalancing of domestic and export growth drivers, diversification of its markets and supply chains, and changing demographics are three areas that present opportunities for future cooperation with Singapore, said Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing yesterday. He was delivering the opening keynote speech at the Singapore-China Trade and Investment Forum, organised by the Singapore Business Federation as part of this year's China International Import Expo. Pointing to Chinese President Xi Jinping's "dual circulation strategy", Mr Chan said this was a natural evolution of Chinese economic development, with its previous export-led model (external circulation) rebalanced with, and complemented by, a domestic-consumption one (internal circulation). "This presents many opportunities for the world, given the size of the Chinese market. To seize the new opportunities, we must deeply understand the complexities and diversity of the Chinese market," he said. "Different cities, provinces, age groups and education profiles have their unique needs, and we should never mistake the Chinese market as monolithic or homogenous." He also noted that Chinese companies were increasingly l...