Singapore Morning News For September 7

Singapore economy expected to grow by 3.1% in Q3: economists
PRIVATE sector economists expect Singapore’s economy to grow by 3.1 per cent in the third quarter of 2017, according to a poll of economists and analysts by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS).
— The Business Times

Singapore’s 2017 growth forecast to remain at 2.5%: MAS survey
Singapore’s economic growth this year is expected to remain at 2.5 per cent, according to private-sector economists polled in a quarterly survey by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) released on Wednesday (Sep 6).
— Channel NewsAsia

Singapore faces ‘double blow in labour supply’ due to ageing population: study
Singapore has the most to fear from an ageing population among Asia-Pacific nations, a new study shows.
— The New Paper

Singapore among top 10 places to live and work for expats: Survey
Singapore edged into the top 10 in a list of good places to live and work for expatriates, while reputations of the United States and United Kingdom are in free fall among some of the world’s most mobile and cosmopolitan people.
— The Straits Times (paywall)

S’pore firm brings Bangkok condos to Myanmar
SQFT Global Properties, a real estate agency headquartered in Singapore, will organise sales events in two Myanmar cities – Yangon and Mandalay – for two properties lying in the heart of Bangkok.
— The Nation

IE Singapore’s Industry Transformation Map for Wholesale Trade focuses on digital platforms and skill development
The Wholesale Trade Industry Transformation Map (ITM[1]) was unveiled today by Mr. S. Iswaran, Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) at International Enterprise (IE) Singapore’s event, “Digitalisation of Trade – New Mindsets, New Skillsets”. The ITM will help companies digitalise to enhance global growth and productivity, and targets to create 10,000 new jobs by 2020. Comprising over 34,000 firms, the wholesale trade industry provides livelihoods for more than 325,000, accounting for 9% of Singapore’s workforce in 2016.
— Open Gov

Changi Airport’s Terminal 4 to Commence Operations on 31 October 2017
The opening follows the recent conclusion of major trials, with a small number of checks and reviews to be completed in the final phase of the preparations.
— ASIATravelTips

Singaporeans advised not to travel to North Korea: MFA
Singaporeans are being urged to avoid all non-essential travel to North Korea given recent developments there, according to a travel advisory issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Wednesday (Sep 6).
— Channel NewsAsia

Tainted eggs not sold in Singapore; egg supply safe for consumption: AVA
The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) on Wednesday (Sep 6) reiterated that eggs in Singapore are safe for consumption, in the wake of recent reports that named Singapore as one of the countries affected by a scandal involving eggs tainted with insecticide in Europe.
— Channel NewsAsia

US real estate investment firm plans US$500 million IPO in Singapore, Keppel tie-up: Report
An American real-estate investment firm is planning to raise about US$500 million (S$675 million) via a Singapore initial public offering of some of its US office assets, according to a report.
— The Straits Times (paywall)

Buildings stepping up fire safety precautions after failing cladding tests
Extra fire safety precautions are being taken by owners of various buildings that have failed cladding tests, after the Singapore Civil Defence Force revealed two weeks ago that 41 buildings here could have used materials that are not fire-safe on their external walls.
— Channel NewsAsia

HDB to expand use of prefabrication building methods in BTO projects
By 2019, 35 per cent of newly launched housing board projects will be built using a method in which 3D modular units are manufactured and finished in factories, announced the Housing and Developing Board (HDB) in a news release on Wednesday (Sep 6).
— Channel NewsAsia

Car COE prices down; small car premiums hit 7-year low
Certificate of Entitlement (COE) prices for cars closed lower in the latest bidding exercise on Wednesday (Sep 6), with premiums for small cars sinking to levels not seen since November 2010.
— Channel NewsAsia

Roadmap to vibrant ecosystem for Singapore’s wholesale trade sector
SINGAPORE’S wholesale industry is shifting gear to create a vibrant ecosystem with clear targets, its own digital marketplaces and robust talent pipeline.
— The Business Times

One-stop centre to help S’pore startups ace it abroad
STARTUPS can now get more support for their plans to expand internationally, with the setting up of the ACE International Centre (ACEIC).
— The Business Times

New tech tools to help make workplaces safer
Using a series of cameras, coupled with facial- and object-recognition technology, a new surveillance system that is being developed by Certis Group Singapore can act as a real-time detection tool for unsafe work practices.
— Today Online

More people-centred safety measures needed: Minister
To curtail the number of people who die, are injured or made ill at workplaces, policymakers and employers would need to move away from taking a one-size-fits-all approach, Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say said.
— Today Online

Offshore rigs for fish farms being developed by Keppel
Could supplying rigs for fish farming feature in Keppel Offshore and Marine’s future?
— Today Online

Man fined S$10,000 for selling pig’s blood and ‘balut’
A 41-year-old man, was fined S$10,000 on Wednesday (Sept 6) for selling illegal food products, the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) said in a statement.
— Today Online

Hipster food and local cuisine to feature at new Pasir Ris food hub
A hawker centre that blends the old and the new will open in November at Pasir Ris Central.
— The New Paper

Singapore: Point Hope, Baker Tech to invest $50m in EMAS Offshore restructuring
Singapore-based private equity firm Point Hope and SGX Mainboard listed Baker Technology will jointly invest $50 million in financially troubled EMAS Offshore Limited (EOL) through a binding term sheet.
— DealStreetAsia

CapitaLand grows Jakarta footprint with $54.9m realty deal with Qatar fund
CapitaLand has partnered with the Qatar Investment Authority to invest S$74.3 million ($54.9 million) for the acquisition of a serviced residence -Ascott Sudirman Jakarta – in Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital city and commercial centre.
— DealStreetAsia

How Much Risk Do Homes in Singapore Actually Face?
When you last moved into a new place, you probably remember either purchasing or hearing about purchasing an insurance policy for your home. But how much risk does your home actually face and are these policies worth your money? Here, we delve into a few main factors that could potentially put your home or your home contents at risks: namely fire and theft.
— The Independent Singapore

HDB construction productivity to improve 25 per cent by 2020
Prefabricated bathrooms units (PBUs) of better workmanship quality will be a feature of all newly launched Housing Board flats by 2019.
— The New Paper

House of Travel offers international stopover packages in Singapore from $1
Singapore Airlines, with travel agency House of Travel, is offering international stopover packages in Singapore from $1.
— New Zealand Herald

Prefabricated bathrooms, units for all Singapore new flats by 2019
THE Housing Development Board (HDB) says it will improve construction productivity through a greater use of prefabricated units that are assembled off-site but that can be installed on-site.
— The Business Times

WHY IS SINGAPORE PM LEE HSIEN LOONG MOVING YOUNG GUN MINISTER FROM CABINET TO THE SPEAKER’S CHAIR?
Singapore has inched closer to finding out who will succeed Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, after the premier surprised the Lion City by reassigning a popular minister thought to be among six contenders for the top job.
— South China Morning Post

Feature photo Choo Yut Shing
Find our previous morning news feature photos in the AEC News Today Morning News Feature Photos gallery where you will find a pictorial display of daily life throughout the Asean Economic Community (AEC).

Singapore morning news by AEC News Today is your one stop source for Singapore news on matters of governance and policies affecting Asean business communities. It is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.

Singapore Morning News For September 7 added by Leakhena Khat on September 7, 2017
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Leakhena Khat

Leakhena is a junior journalist at AEC News Today who is also currently studying International Relations, which she finds adds perspective to her work reporting on the Asean Community.

“I love what I am doing so much as it gives me a lot of great experience and provides challenges to my mind.