Category: Business

The Significant Investments Review Bill introduces measures to safeguard national security while addressing economic and business concerns.SINGAPORE: Parliament passed the Significant Investments Review Bill (SIRA) on Tuesday (Jan 9), establishing a framework to scrutinize significant investments—local or foreign—into entities deemed critical to national security. The law aims to complement existing sectoral safeguards in areas like …

Survey reveals cautious outlook amid inflation, credit crunch, and manpower challengesSINGAPORE: Higher costs continue to be the primary obstacle for businesses in 2024, according to the Singapore Business Federation’s (SBF) National Business Survey 2023/2024, released on Friday (Jan 5). The report highlights growing caution among companies as they navigate an uncertain economic landscape.A significant portion …

About 100 workers affected as retrenchment process raises questions of transparency and fairnessSINGAPORE: As Lazada employees returned to work in the new year, an unsettling atmosphere greeted them. Meeting rooms at the e-commerce giant's Singapore headquarters were fully booked, and some staff received last-minute invitations to discussions where they were informed they had lost their …

MAS policies and economic resilience bolster optimism for 2024, despite potential headwindsSINGAPORE: For two consecutive years, the Singapore dollar has outperformed other Asian currencies, and it may achieve a “three-peat” in 2024, according to The Edge Singapore. This optimism stems from the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s (MAS) strategic approach to currency management in its fight …

Competitive pricing and new launches may temper further growth in the housing marketSINGAPORE: Private home prices in Singapore rose by 6.7% in 2023, a slower pace compared to 8.6% in 2022 and 10.6% in 2021. The trend marks a gradual stabilization after a pandemic-driven property surge, according to the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s (URA) flash estimates …

Key steps to help expats land a job and ensure financial stability in Singapore.SINGAPORE: Singapore has witnessed a significant 13.1% rise in its expat population, growing from 1.56 million in June 2022 to 1.77 million in June 2023, according to MoneySmart. This growth highlights the city-state’s growing appeal as a destination for expats, driven by …

With growing international investments, China turns to private security firms to safeguard its interests in unstable regions.In 2017, the Chinese blockbuster Wolf Warrior 2 captured audiences with its patriotic fervor, showcasing a lone Chinese hero taking on foreign mercenaries to protect his people. The film not only broke box office records but also popularized "wolf-warrior …

Labour shortages across sectors due to migration, military mobilisation, and demographic challenges.MOSCOW: Russia is grappling with a shortage of approximately 4.8 million workers in 2023, and experts predict that this issue will remain severe into 2024, according to a report by the Izvestia newspaper published on Sunday (Dec 24). The data, sourced from the Russian …

A detailed look at how salary trends across various industries are shaping Singapore's job market in 2023.SINGAPORE: According to the JobStreet Salary Guide 2023, jobseekers in Singapore are increasingly prioritising salary transparency, with 38% of respondents expressing that they “want to know the salary before they apply.” The guide, designed to assist employers in understanding …

Bloomberg analysis highlights Singapore’s unique position despite high living costs, with expats drawn to its global appeal and focus on long-term growth.SINGAPORE: Recently named the most expensive city in the world alongside Zurich, Singapore has also earned recognition as the fifth best city for expatriates in the region, according to a recent Bloomberg analysis.Despite the …