Commentary

It’s time to rethink loans

It should be about offering options and putting control back in the hands of consumers so that they can decide what is best for them, says GXS' Jenn Ong.

Commentary

It’s time to rethink loans

It should be about offering options and putting control back in the hands of consumers so that they can decide what is best for them, says GXS' Jenn Ong.

Commentary

It’s high time for property developers to implement effective anti-money laundering requirements

Singapore’s real estate sector will soon see a tightening of its customer and transaction due diligence requirements. From 28 June 2023, property developers will need to implement enhanced measures to prevent money laundering and terrorism financing. This will include the requirement to conduct customer due diligence (CDD) checks on new and existing property purchasers.

Commentary

Transforming the Retail Horizon: Experiential Retail and Digitalisation key in driving post-pandemic growth

In Singapore, retail sales have essentially returned to pre-pandemic levels. Consumers are returning to stores to find revamped and refreshed retail concepts that showcase the relevance of the brick-and-mortar store in the post-Covid era.

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The Impact of the ABSD rate hike and property buyer tax on real estate investments

The Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) is a property buyer tax in Singapore that was introduced in 2011. It is a tax that is imposed on top of the existing Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD) and is meant to deter foreigners and property investors from driving up the property market prices. Recently, the ABSD rates have been increased to cool down the property market. This article discusses the impact of the ABSD and property buyer tax on real estate investments in Singapore.

Commentary

Bridging Loans: An Alternative Financing Option for Clients Affected by TDSR

As property prices in Singapore continue to rise, more and more clients are finding themselves affected by the Total Debt Servicing Ratio (TDSR) framework. This framework, introduced in 2013, sets a limit on the amount of debt a borrower can take on based on their income and other financial commitments. While the TDSR framework is designed to promote financial prudence, it has also made it harder for some clients to secure financing for their property purchases.

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Rethinking fintech growth with a product-led approach

As we continue to experience economic uncertainty across the world, the Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ) region hasn’t been spared from the volatility.

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A 1970s Oil Crisis replayed in modern days

A world thirsty for fossil fuels

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Workplace 3.0: Transforming work environments to support innovation and meaningful work

Progressive workplaces have been a subject of discourse since the recent Budget announcement.

Commentary

The race to gender equity for Asia’s startups

New study finds that 75% of women in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region want to learn new tech skills. Similarly, 74% of women in Singapore want to upskill, but more than 54% cite lack of time as the greatest barrier.

Commentary

How Many Apps Does It Take to Change a Workplace?

For years now, the tech industry has been selling the promise that adopting more digital tools will help employees ease their workload, make time for value-added tasks, and increase productivity.

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In an era of zero-sum thinking, business leaders must unlock a mutually beneficial future

ChatGPT has dominated the airwaves the past couple of months, with fears that artificial intelligence will take over our jobs.

Commentary

Diversifying your portfolio: Alternative investments in Singapore to consider in a low-interest rate environment

In today's uncertain financial landscape, investors need to diversify their portfolios to manage risk and maximise returns. With the current low-interest rate environment in Singapore, traditional investment options such as savings accounts and fixed deposits may not offer attractive returns. This is where alternative investments in Singapore can provide a fresh perspective and diversify your portfolio.

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Navigating the digital future: A closer look at Singapore Budget 2023 measures in view of the rapidly changing workplace

Commentary

Corporate Governance – The Greatest Challenge for Start-ups?

From the collapse of biotech firm Theranos to the recent bankruptcy of crypto exchange FTX, the prevailing need for proper governance in privately-owned companies is gaining more attention. These high-profile start-ups, which can be sizeable in terms of valuation, do not fall into the purview of regulators or are not publicly listed. Therefore, such regulatory arbitrage or the lack of public scrutiny may result in the firm being susceptible to governance failures if sufficient checks and balances are not in place.

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The role of digitalisation in futureproofing Singapore’s food supply chain

Singapore, an island nation scarce in natural resources, imports more than 90 per cent of its nutritional requirements from diversified sources comprising over 170 countries and regions to ensure a resilient food supply chain.

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How the PSG government grant has helped Singapore’s small business owners

The Singapore government has implemented several measures to support small businesses, one of which is the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) government grant. This grant is aimed at helping small businesses in Singapore to adopt technology and improve their productivity. In this article, we will take a closer look at the PSG grant and how it has helped small business owners in Singapore through the examples of ComfortDelgro Engineering and Achieva Technology.

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