Foreign investment and infrastructure development are driving up costs, leaving residents struggling to buy homes. Property prices in Johor Bahru have surged dramatically, fuelled by foreign investments and the anticipated arrival of the Rapid Transit System (RTS) link to Singapore. This surge, particularly in areas near the RTS route, has raised alarms among local residents...
Premiums for Cat A COEs Surge While Other Categories Experience Mixed Results In the second bidding exercise for February 2025, premiums for Category A Certificates of Entitlement (COEs) experienced a notable increase, reversing the trend seen in previous rounds. The premium for Cat A COEs, which are used for cars with engines up to 1,600cc...
Support for Families, Education, and Climate Resilience Announced Singapore’s Budget 2025, presented by Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong, introduces comprehensive measures to support citizens amid rising living costs and global economic uncertainties. In his first Budget speech as head of government, PM Wong highlighted that the economy grew by 4.4%, with median worker...
More Government Support Contributes to Higher Household Incomes Amid Economic Challenges Singapore’s median household employment income rose to $11,297 in 2024, marking an increase in the nation’s earnings and a reduction in income inequality, according to the latest figures from the Singapore Department of Statistics (SingStat). The report, released on February 13, reveals that the...
Unprecedented Spending and Visitor Numbers Drive Growth, with Continued Expansion Expected into 2025 Singapore’s tourism sector is set to reach new records in 2024, with tourism receipts projected to range between S$27.5 billion and S$29 billion, the highest level ever anticipated by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). By September 2024, the city had already seen...
While Investment Climate Remains Positive, Market Fluctuations and Uncertain Returns Present Risks The commercial property sector in Asia Pacific is expected to see stable growth in 2025, supported by a robust regional economy and a favourable interest rate environment. Despite varied performance across different markets and sectors, CBRE’s 2025 Asia Pacific Real Estate Market Outlook...
A Proposed Visa Initiative Could Attract Skilled Foreign Workers to Support Economic Growth in the JS-SEZ Maybank has emphasised that the introduction of an SEZ visa could significantly address the labour shortages plaguing businesses in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ). In its latest report, “Johor-Singapore SEZ: Tracking the Progress,” the bank highlights the growing...
Singapore’s President Calls for Urgent Reforms in Education and Training to Tackle Employment Challenges At the Economic Forum in Davos on January 22, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam issued a stark warning about the future of global employment. He revealed that over the next decade, 1.2 billion workers will enter the labour market, vying for just 400...
RM421 Billion Budget Aims to Strengthen Public Finances and Increase Revenue Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim revealed a record budget of RM421 billion (S$127.8 billion) for 2025, marking a significant effort to boost the country’s fiscal health. The budget includes salary increases and enhanced retirement funds for civil servants as part of broader reforms aimed...
Major Investments Unveiled, Showcasing Confidence in UK’s Economic Future At the UK’s Investment Summit on October 14, 2024, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced over £60 billion worth of investment pledges, signaling strong confidence in the nation’s economy. The investments are set to create approximately 40,000 jobs and involve significant projects, such as a £1.1 billion expansion...