Industry News

The Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) has introduced the Singapore Chartered Accountant Qualification (SCAQ) Career Mobility Programme (CMP), designed to support accountancy undergraduates in achieving the Chartered Accountant of Singapore designation. Launched on 5 March 2025, the programme aims to bolster the accountancy talent pipeline and support regional business growth, beginning with a pilot in Vietnam and expanding to other countries by Q2 2025.

ISCA will collaborate with Accredited Training Organisations (ATOs) and their international networks to offer high-quality training and development. This includes creating cross-border work opportunities such as exchanges and secondments, allowing candidates to gain overseas work experience and cross-cultural insights. ISCA President Teo Ser Luck stated, “The launch of the CMP is a significant step towards enhancing ISCA’s impact on the accountancy profession both in Singapore and beyond.”

KPMG Vietnam and KPMG in Singapore are the first ATOs to partner with ISCA’s CMP, offering professional stints in each other’s offices. This partnership aims to address manpower shortages and enhance the profession’s appeal in the region. Chang Hung Chun, Managing Partner at KPMG Vietnam & Cambodia, remarked, “This MOU marks a significant milestone in the strong partnership between ISCA and KPMG, enabling cross-border mobility.”

The CMP is part of ISCA’s broader strategy to expand its regional presence, with agreements signed with leading Vietnamese universities to nurture accountancy talent. Additionally, ISCA has launched a Professional Services Centre in Ho Chi Minh City to promote professional services and support business growth.
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Chocolate Finance and Allfunds, a global fund distribution platform, have jointly reaffirmed the security of Chocolate’s customer investment funds and the orderly processing of withdrawals. As a licensed custodian, Allfunds provides fund dealing and custody services to Chocolate, ensuring investments are safeguarded within Singapore’s regulatory framework.

Chocolate Finance emphasised that customer investment funds are held in segregated, ringfenced accounts, managed according to Singapore’s stringent regulatory safeguards. David Pérez de Albéniz, CEO at Allfunds Singapore, stated, “Customer investment funds’ holdings are completely segregated and ringfenced, as required by Singapore’s regulations, which means that the safety of investment fund holdings is assured.”

Withdrawals are being processed as expected, with customers receiving their funds within three to six business days, aligning with standard industry settlement periods. Walter de Oude, CEO and Founder of Chocolate, noted, “Whilst we have seen a spike in withdrawals, all are being processed in an orderly manner. We assure customers that their funds are secure, and withdrawals are proceeding as scheduled.”

Chocolate Finance continues to collaborate with Allfunds to maintain high levels of security, compliance, and operational efficiency. This partnership underscores their commitment to trust in Singapore’s financial system and providing a reliable investment platform.
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Singapore Exchange (SGX) has reported strong market data for February 2025, yet the outlook for the second half of the financial year remains below expectations. Analyst Shekhar Jaiswal maintains a neutral stance on SGX with a target price of SGD13.60, reflecting a 4% upside. The securities turnover and derivatives volume for the second half of FY25 are projected to be lower than anticipated, despite a positive outlook for Singapore’s equity market and expected market volatility.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) measures are expected to boost the equity market, potentially increasing the securities’ daily average traded value in FY26-27. However, the current valuation of SGX is considered stretched amidst a moderating growth outlook. Jaiswal notes, “Whilst we are positive on Singapore’s equity market outlook and expect elevated near-term market volatility to result in higher sequential derivatives volumes, the securities’ daily average traded value will remain flat HoH in 2HFY25 before rising in FY26-27.”

The report highlights the importance of MAS’s initiatives in supporting future growth, yet cautions investors about the current valuation levels. The neutral rating suggests that whilst there are positive elements in the market, investors should remain cautious due to the potential for volatility and the current stretched valuations.

Looking ahead, SGX’s performance will likely be influenced by the broader economic conditions and the effectiveness of MAS’s measures in stimulating market activity.
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Hyphens Pharma International Limited has announced an agreement with medac Gesellschaft für klinische Spezialpräparate m.b.H. to exclusively register and commercialise the Metoject® subcutaneous autoinjector pen in Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

This device is used for treating rheumatoid arthritis and plaque psoriasis, offering a convenient two-step self-injection with a built-in needle cover for enhanced safety.

The Metoject® pen administers methotrexate, a first-line treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, ensuring high bioavailability and reduced gastrointestinal side effects compared to oral administration. Available in multiple strengths, it allows for tailored treatment options. The pen has already been commercialised in over 15 countries, including the US and Japan.

Frank Lucaßen, CEO of medac, expressed confidence in Hyphens Pharma’s capabilities, stating, “We were looking for a partner in Southeast Asia with strong regulatory and sales and marketing capabilities, and Hyphens Pharma clearly stood out.” Lim See Wah, Chairman and CEO of Hyphens Pharma, added, “We are delighted to work with Medac to bring Metoject® to Southeast Asia as it provides an effective, safe and convenient treatment benefitting rheumatoid arthritis and plaque psoriasis patients in the region.”

This agreement is not expected to materially affect Hyphens Pharma’s financials for the year ending 31 December 2025. The move marks a significant expansion of Hyphens Pharma’s Speciality Pharma portfolio, enhancing treatment options for rheumatologists and dermatologists in the ASEAN region.
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Lady Gaga’s upcoming concerts in Singapore have ignited a surge in travel interest, with digital travel platform Agoda reporting a 358% increase in accommodation searches for the city-state.

The concerts, scheduled for 18, 19, 21, and 24 May 2025, have drawn attention from fans across the region, particularly from Taiwan, Indonesia, mainland China, the Philippines, and Malaysia.

The announcement has notably propelled Taiwan to the top of the search rankings for Singapore on 10 March, despite not featuring in the top five origin markets in the two weeks prior. Matteo Frigerio, Chief Marketing Officer at Agoda, remarked, “It’s no bad romance—big events inspire travel, and Lady Gaga’s upcoming concert series in Singapore is proof of that.”

Agoda’s data highlights the appeal of Singapore as a destination for major events, underscoring the platform’s role in connecting travellers with value deals. With over 5 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities, Agoda offers a comprehensive travel experience. The platform’s mobile app and website are available in 39 languages, supported by 24/7 customer service.

As fans prepare to “just dance” at the concerts, Agoda ensures they have access to the best stays in Singapore, reinforcing the city’s status as a vibrant hub for entertainment and tourism.
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Vietjet has announced the launch of a new direct route connecting Singapore and Phu Quoc, set to commence on 30 May 2025. This development was unveiled during Vietnam’s General Secretary To Lam’s visit to Singapore, alongside the signing of a $300 million aircraft financing agreement with Carlyle Aviation Partners. The new route will operate four round-trip flights per week, increasing Vietjet’s total weekly flights between Singapore and Vietnam to 78.

The introduction of the Singapore–Phu Quoc route marks Vietjet’s fourth route to Singapore, complementing existing services from Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Da Nang. The airline anticipates serving over 500,000 passengers annually between the two countries, enhancing tourism and economic ties.

In addition to expanding its network, Vietjet has secured a US$300m financing agreement with Carlyle Aviation Partners to support the delivery of new aircraft in 2025–2026. Alexander Rasnavad, President of Carlyle Aviation Partners, expressed pride in supporting Vietjet’s international growth, stating, “We are proud to be a long-term strategic partner of Vietjet, supporting its international growth and commitment to providing affordable, convenient travel options.”

Furthermore, Vietjet has entered into a multi-year agreement with Satair, an Airbus Services company, for Integrated Material Services (IMS) to support its Airbus A320 and A330 fleet. This collaboration aims to optimise operational costs and maintain efficiency.

Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, Chairwoman of Vietjet, highlighted the airline’s role in fostering economic trade and cultural exchange, emphasising its commitment to sustainable development. As Singapore remains Vietnam’s largest investor, Vietjet’s partnerships with Singaporean firms continue to drive financial and trade collaboration.
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Singapore-headquartered Virtuos, a video game development company, has announced the opening of its new studio in Seoul, South Korea. This strategic move aims to strengthen its collaboration with Korean game developers by offering full-cycle development, co-development, and creative services. The new studio will facilitate seamless partnerships between Korean clients and Virtuos’ extensive network of 25 studios worldwide.

The Seoul studio will be led by Seunghwan “Sean” Yoon, who brings 20 years of industry experience, including leadership roles at Webzen and Kabam. Yoon emphasised the importance of the Korean market, stating, “Gaming is deeply ingrained in Korean culture. Establishing a physical studio in Seoul enables Virtuos to directly address the unique challenges faced by Korean studios, with the proximity facilitating closer co-development and collaboration.”

Virtuos has been collaborating with Korean studios since 2009, contributing to successful projects such as Crossfire, Dave the Diver, PUBG, and Stellar Blade. The new studio will enhance Virtuos’ ability to support these collaborations by providing earlier and more effective involvement in game production.

The core team at Virtuos Seoul includes Kyungjin Lee, Development Director, and Sangwon Suh, Senior Business Development Manager, both of whom have extensive experience in the gaming industry. The studio is actively hiring to expand its team, with open positions available on its website.

This expansion into South Korea is part of Virtuos’ broader strategy to become a glocalised game development powerhouse, following recent expansions into Europe and North America.
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Singapore Airlines (SIA) has announced a collaboration with Salesforce to integrate advanced AI technologies into its customer service operations. The partnership will see SIA incorporating Agentforce, Einstein in Service Cloud, and Data Cloud into its customer case management system, aiming to deliver more consistent and personalised service to its customers.

The integration of Agentforce, powered by Data Cloud, will streamline customer service operations by deploying AI agents. This allows customer service representatives to focus on providing enhanced and personalised attention during customer interactions. Additionally, the Einstein AI capabilities in Service Cloud will summarise past customer interactions and offer guidance, enabling representatives to better anticipate and address customer needs, ultimately reducing response times.

The collaboration extends beyond immediate implementation, as SIA and Salesforce plan to co-develop AI solutions for the airline industry at the Salesforce AI Research hub in Singapore. This initiative aims to provide greater value and benefits to the sector.

Goh Choon Phong, CEO of Singapore Airlines, expressed the airline’s commitment to leveraging technology to enhance customer experiences and operational efficiencies. “The SIA Group has been an early adopter of Generative AI solutions, developing over 250 use cases over the last 18 months,” he stated.

Marc Benioff, CEO of Salesforce, highlighted the transformative potential of digital labour powered by AI, noting the partnership’s role in elevating customer service and fostering innovation within the airline industry.

Salesforce also announced a significant investment of $1 billion in Singapore over the next five years, underscoring its commitment to accelerating digital transformation in the region.
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Salesforce has announced a significant investment of US$1b in Singapore over the next five years, aiming to accelerate the nation’s digital transformation and the adoption of its Agentforce platform. This move aligns with Singapore’s National AI Strategy 2.0 and positions the country as a leader in global AI innovation. The investment will support the development of digital workforces, combining human efforts with autonomous Agentforce agents to enhance productivity and growth.

The investment will facilitate several initiatives, including the expansion of Salesforce’s AI Research hub in Singapore, which has been pivotal in global AI development since its establishment in 2019. The hub has contributed to over 100 research papers and patents, focusing on innovations like AIOps Agents and in-house code LLMs. Salesforce’s commitment also includes expanding its services on Hyperforce, ensuring data residency for its platforms in Singapore, crucial for compliance with local data privacy regulations.

Singapore Airlines is set to integrate Agentforce, Einstein in Service Cloud, and Data Cloud into its customer management system, enhancing personalised service delivery. The collaboration will also see the co-development of AI solutions for the airline industry at the Salesforce AI Research hub.

Salesforce’s investment extends to workforce development, with plans to refresh its Singapore office to include spaces for Agentforce activations and upskilling initiatives. Partnerships with local educational institutions aim to equip students with essential CRM and AI skills, preparing them for future job opportunities within the Salesforce ecosystem.
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JCB International Co Ltd, the international operations arm of Japan’s sole international payment brand, has announced its premier sponsorship for the 10th edition of Sakura 2025 at Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay. The event, which aims to bring Japan’s unique culture and architectural history to Singapore, was inaugurated by Tan Kiat How, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of National Development and Ministry of Digital Development and Information, alongside Toru Hotta, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Japan in Singapore, and Felix Loh, CEO of Gardens by the Bay.

The sponsorship is part of JCB’s ongoing commitment to support local activities and attractions. Previously, in 2022, JCB sponsored Singapore’s Star Island Countdown event at Marina Bay. Hiroko Michishita, Managing Director of JCB International Asia Pacific, highlighted the event as an opportunity to promote cross-border tourism and deepen understanding of Japanese culture. “We hope this event will further boost tourism to Japan and raise awareness of JCB’s presence and merchant privileges in Singapore,” Michishita stated.

During Sakura 2025, promotional banners will be displayed on selected street lamps, garden banners, and MRT advertisements, enhancing JCB’s visibility. This initiative aligns with JCB’s strategy to strengthen its presence in Singapore and encourage cultural exchange between Japan and Singapore.

JCB, a major global payment brand, has an extensive acceptance network with about 53 million merchants worldwide and over 164 million cardmembers, primarily in Asia. Through strategic alliances, JCB continues to expand its international reach and enhance its service offerings.
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