https://www.scmp.com/rss/309267/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Singapore's economic strength is widely considered a yardstick for the health of the world economy because of the city state's reliance on global demand. Political stability plays a key role in ensuring economic well-being and, despite global uncertainty and a slowdown in China, the Singapore government is confident of achieving overall growth in 2013 of between 1 per cent and 3 per cent. In July, the government released advanced estimates that the Singapore economy had grown 3.7 per cent in the... https://www.scmp.com/article/1296859/prosperous-time-city-state?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1296859/prosperous-time-city-state?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Aug 2013 03:36:42 +0000 The Singapore government has launched initiatives to boost the business environment for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that form the engine room of the country's economy. The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) has identified three areas in which SMEs will receive additional government support - productivity, innovation, capability upgrading and recruiting talent; seeking fresh business opportunities at home and abroad through internationalisation and industry collaboration; and... https://www.scmp.com/article/1296858/authorities-seek-give-helping-hand-smes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1296858/authorities-seek-give-helping-hand-smes?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Aug 2013 03:28:42 +0000 Asia's biggest brands become so by design. Driven by a passion for reliable service, iwa Design gives major multinationals design solutions to build their brands globally. "Companies need a very strong and reliable partner to go overseas," says executive director Dorothy Lim. "We help our clients make sure that their corporate identity remains consistent throughout the world." Ninety per cent of multinational electronics brands in Singapore entrusted iwa Design with their retail design... https://www.scmp.com/article/1296857/interior-design-firm-strengthens-global-brands?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1296857/interior-design-firm-strengthens-global-brands?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Aug 2013 03:23:02 +0000 Food preparation brings families together, and Kitchen Culture Holdings creates ideal settings for families in homes across Asia. "Where there's life, there's food, and when you think of food, you think of kitchens. When you think of kitchens, you think of Kitchen Culture," says executive director George Lim. "We are one of the leading players in Singapore and we hope to be one of the leading players in Asia." Kitchen Culture is a specialised retailer and distributor of top-of-the-line kitchen... https://www.scmp.com/article/1296856/kitchen-culture-cultivates-quality-lifestyle-asia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1296856/kitchen-culture-cultivates-quality-lifestyle-asia?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Aug 2013 03:20:37 +0000 Less downtime in information technology (IT) systems - often regarded as the backbone of company operations - translates to greater productivity and revenue growth. Quest Venture Technologies takes a proactive approach in technology support through vigilant enterprise monitoring systems, providing relevant and cost-effective solutions to mitigate IT issues. With more than 15 years of experience in the field, Quest Venture CEO and entrepreneur Kevin Foong applies his expertise to secure the... https://www.scmp.com/article/1296854/quest-venture-streamlines-business-continuity-through-it-solutions-and-skills?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1296854/quest-venture-streamlines-business-continuity-through-it-solutions-and-skills?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Aug 2013 03:18:11 +0000 Aiming to achieve one of the world's best safety records, Singapore implements stringent health and safety regulations in the workplace. It seeks to bring down the national fatality rate to less than 1.8 per 100,000 workers by 2018. Sharing the Singaporean government's vision of cultivating sustainable work environments, R K Instruments provides gas detection systems that prevent workers' exposure to hazardous conditions. R K Instruments functions as a joint-venture regional office of... https://www.scmp.com/article/1296853/r-k-instruments-always-puts-safety-first?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1296853/r-k-instruments-always-puts-safety-first?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Aug 2013 03:15:12 +0000 Mass construction of residential buildings and commercial properties in Asia has increased the demand for large, high-quality tower cranes. Selling more than 160 tower crane units within its first four years of operation in Singapore, Yongmao Holdings - one of China's leading tower crane manufacturers - is prepared to tackle further growth on the mainland and worldwide. "Our clients have experienced our quality and accepted our products. As the markets continue to grow, our market share will... https://www.scmp.com/article/1296852/yongmao-hoists-series-prime-construction-projects-worldwide?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1296852/yongmao-hoists-series-prime-construction-projects-worldwide?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Aug 2013 03:12:01 +0000 Singapore's growth history is a mosaic of stories of visionaries whose trailblazing ideas and relentless pursuit for excellence catapulted the nation to be an economic powerhouse in Asia. One such visionary is Derek Goh, who 25 years ago single-handedly established a trading company and developed it to become one of Asia-Pacific's key players in the electronic distribution industry. Serial System, the largest electronic component distributor listed on the Singapore Exchange, embodies Goh's... https://www.scmp.com/article/1296851/serial-system-marks-25-years-hi-tech-expertise?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1296851/serial-system-marks-25-years-hi-tech-expertise?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Aug 2013 03:09:30 +0000 Infused with fun and play, learning can be an exciting experience for children. The longing to discover new things with their newfound friends replaces their scepticism about school. Such is the approach of Brighton Montessori, which imparts a love of learning using personalised one-on-one teaching. The school, together with Odyssey, Pat's Schoolhouse and Learning Vision, represents the most innovative early childhood education standards in Singapore under global education leader, Knowledge... https://www.scmp.com/article/1296850/knowledge-universe-sets-education-trend-across-asia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1296850/knowledge-universe-sets-education-trend-across-asia?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Aug 2013 03:04:48 +0000 Using quality materials is integral to any commercial or industrial construction as one small flaw can potentially compromise structural integrity and disrupt operational continuity. Plastic pipe designer and manufacturer Sinopipe knows this well. The company is promoting the widespread adoption of plastic pipes for infrastructure development in Asia as they are more durable and cost-effective. "We can provide products with better quality at a better cost," says Dr Pu Weidong, Sinopipe executive... https://www.scmp.com/article/1296846/sinopipe-pushes-plastic-pipes-asias-infrastructure-projects?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1296846/sinopipe-pushes-plastic-pipes-asias-infrastructure-projects?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Aug 2013 02:59:55 +0000 Solidifying its position as the gateway to the growing pharmaceutical industry in Southeast Asia, Hyphens Pharma introduces innovative global health care products in the region as a leading speciality pharmaceutical company. With Southeast Asia's combined pharmaceutical market value projected to reach US$69.1 billion by 2016, Hyphens is scaling up operations in its Singapore headquarters and offices in Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines. Hyphens bridges medical and industry... https://www.scmp.com/article/1296844/hyphens-pharma-provides-better-quality-life?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1296844/hyphens-pharma-provides-better-quality-life?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Aug 2013 02:55:08 +0000 The escalating appetite for technology will drive the world's electricity demand to increase more than 50 per cent through 2030. As this develops, the world faces the dilemma of increased carbon emissions as a result of the generation of additional electricity. Energy management specialist Schneider Electric provides solutions to this challenge by offering services that promote more responsible energy consumption. "We're solving the energy challenge by changing the way people consume... https://www.scmp.com/article/1296842/schneider-electric-promotes-smarter-use-electricity?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1296842/schneider-electric-promotes-smarter-use-electricity?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Aug 2013 02:50:09 +0000 CMIA Capital Partners, a private equity firm focused on investing in mid-sized companies in China and Southeast Asia, has launched its fourth China fund. With a focus on investment opportunities in the country's agriculture and food sectors, the CMIA China Fund IV LP is a private equity partnership targeting up to US$200 million in capital commitments. Established in 2003, CMIA has a successful 10-year track record of investing across several industries in China. It has a strong competitive edge... https://www.scmp.com/article/1296840/cmia-unlocks-opportunities-asias-mid-sized-companies?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1296840/cmia-unlocks-opportunities-asias-mid-sized-companies?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Aug 2013 02:44:08 +0000 The innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of managing director Joseph Lim has made Tastyfood Industries a leading global food and beverage company. In touch with nutritional trends and the demands of an active lifestyle, Lim develops award-winning products, including coffee, tea and cereals that are exported worldwide. "When I make a product, I add dimensions to it," Lim says. "For example, you can have a cereal drink that you can enjoy conveniently and benefit from nutritionally." Tastyfood was... https://www.scmp.com/article/1296839/trendsetter-tastyfood-takes-innovations-worldwide?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1296839/trendsetter-tastyfood-takes-innovations-worldwide?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Aug 2013 02:38:24 +0000 Only 21 years old, Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP) has trained, through its international arm, more than 13,000 government officials, CEOs and academic leaders from China alone. Its presence on the world stage is just as impressive, with more than 900 courses conducted for participants from 70 countries including Mongolia, Bhutan, Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka and Thailand since 1993. This polytechnic from Singapore is in demand. NYP's brand of education - where innovation and enterprise underline an... https://www.scmp.com/article/1296837/nyp-lives-its-brand-promise?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1296837/nyp-lives-its-brand-promise?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Aug 2013 02:33:37 +0000 By owning the problems of its clients and finding the best possible solutions, ENSURE Engineering has become one of Singapore's leading engineering and project management solutions companies. Through a constant, consistent and continuous innovation process, ENSURE expands its knowledge base to attract a wider range of clients. "We make the problem of our clients our own. We take the time to understand their needs because this is how we expand our knowledge arsenal," says Han Meng Siew, managing... https://www.scmp.com/article/1296836/companies-entrust-problems-ensure?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1296836/companies-entrust-problems-ensure?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Aug 2013 02:29:38 +0000 Online trading is increasingly becoming the standard channel through which investments are made. Year on year, online brokerages have seen sustained growth, amid surging equity volume. Daily average trades at the start of the year among some American online firms rose up to 18 per cent from the previous year, while some of Asia's largest online brokerages posted record trading. With the growing affluence in Asia-Pacific, compounded with the number of high-net-worth individuals and travellers... https://www.scmp.com/article/1296835/saxo-capital-empowers-investors-multiasset-online-trading-globally?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1296835/saxo-capital-empowers-investors-multiasset-online-trading-globally?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Aug 2013 02:25:25 +0000 As one of Singapore's leading providers of advanced contract manufacturing services, Beyonics Technology has been offering clients precision engineering and electronics manufacturing services since 1981 to help them compete effectively in the marketplace. "We work in collaboration with our clients to come up with designs that will give them the best and lowest possible cost from a manufacturing perspective," says CEO Michael Ng. Having one of the region's most extensive die casting and precision... https://www.scmp.com/article/1296834/beyonics-technology-imparts-service-precision-and-skill?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1296834/beyonics-technology-imparts-service-precision-and-skill?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Aug 2013 02:22:22 +0000 Being in the right location is important for a successful business. For Forefront Medical Technology, Singapore's stringent intellectual property (IP) laws make it an ideal base for its research, development and design capabilities. "We have a solid home-grown advantage," says group CEO Mark Samlal. "We believe that our ability to contract with organisations as a Singaporean-listed company gives multinationals the comfort to deal with us." Clients rely on Forefront for assistance in developing... https://www.scmp.com/article/1296833/strategic-regional-base-anchors-forefronts-global-expansion?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1296833/strategic-regional-base-anchors-forefronts-global-expansion?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Aug 2013 02:18:44 +0000 Used in the fabrication of highly sensitive electronics and medical products, clean rooms require precision engineering. A leading innovator in this field, JCS has become a reliable partner for customised turnkey cleaning solutions in the electronics, food and medical industries. The company specialises in cleaning tools and cleaning services for cleanrooms classified in the industry as Class 10 or Class 100. Maintaining specified temperature, humidity and contamination-control of dust less than... https://www.scmp.com/article/1296831/jcs-leads-precision-cleaning-and-contamination-control-technology?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1296831/jcs-leads-precision-cleaning-and-contamination-control-technology?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Aug 2013 02:15:23 +0000 UOB Kay Hian is one of the largest and most established financial services companies in Southeast Asia and Hong Kong. The company offers more than the traditional equity brokerage as its scope also includes corporate finance, underwriting, wealth management and structured and margin financing. UOB Kay Hian's success is founded on its prudence and consistency. With these core values, the company has grown from strength to strength to become one of the most active players in the region. "We don't... https://www.scmp.com/article/1296829/uob-kay-hians-prudence-delivers-consistent-results?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1296829/uob-kay-hians-prudence-delivers-consistent-results?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Aug 2013 02:11:20 +0000 Making a profit within the first year is a challenge for any start-up company, let alone in the volatile oil industry. Home-grown full-spectrum oil and petroleum trader Kairos Oil Trading proved successful by hitting more than US$500 million - well ahead of its first anniversary. "Beyond solid financial credit lines and industry support, a company also needs the X-factor for survival and sustainability," says CEO Michael Ng. "For Kairos, the X-factor rests in a team of oil industry professionals... https://www.scmp.com/article/1296828/kairos-oil-celebrates-first-year-capturing-opportune-moments?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1296828/kairos-oil-celebrates-first-year-capturing-opportune-moments?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Aug 2013 02:07:28 +0000 As Asian economies grow and businesses in the region thrive, the risks associated multiply. This reality led founder and group chief executive John Tan to start ACR Capital Holdings in 2006 with the aim of enhancing Asia's economic and social security and stability through innovative risk solutions. "We're here to add value to Asia, to help it be better understood and better diversified," Tan says. ACR is a pioneer in many ways. At the time of inception, it raised Asia's largest private... https://www.scmp.com/article/1296826/acr-redefines-asian-risk-solutions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1296826/acr-redefines-asian-risk-solutions?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Aug 2013 02:04:05 +0000 Mobile messaging and social networking applications such as Facebook and Twitter are fast becoming mainstream ways for people to connect worldwide. The need and desire to be constantly connected is boosting sales for mobile phones and driving the growth of online applications. Spending on communication devices such as tablets and smartphones in Southeast Asia is forecast to reach more than US$320 billion by 2016. Guiding consumers as they wade through the range of tools and gadgets, Polaris... https://www.scmp.com/article/1296825/connecting-lives-made-easier-polaris?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1296825/connecting-lives-made-easier-polaris?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Aug 2013 02:00:40 +0000 Keeping the cost of ownership low - this is the added value that distinguishes Aldon Technologies in the intensely competitive electronics industry. "Working in partnership with our customers, we help them keep the total cost of ownership low by providing better alternative choices of products - in pricing, quality and performance through innovation and research and development," says Allen Ang, group managing director. Beginning as a start-up in 1999 in Singapore's semiconductor sector, Aldon... https://www.scmp.com/article/1296824/alternative-semiconductor-solutions-differentiate-aldon-technologies?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1296824/alternative-semiconductor-solutions-differentiate-aldon-technologies?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Aug 2013 01:55:36 +0000 While classrooms develop academic excellence, sports and the arts cultivate leadership, confidence and creativity. This holistic approach defines Raffles Campus, an organisation specialising in the management and operation of international schools for children two to 18 years old. Raffles Campus is the brainchild of chairman and CEO Ng Boon Yew. An accountant by profession, Ng fulfilled his lifelong passion for teaching after a friend asked him to establish an international school in Dubai in... https://www.scmp.com/article/1296823/raffles-campus-pursues-passion-holistic-education?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1296823/raffles-campus-pursues-passion-holistic-education?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Aug 2013 01:53:43 +0000 A key to successful real estate investment is letting the experts take the reins. "Investors may have the interest and money to invest in China but their lack of connections and know-how will impede their success regardless of the potential," says David Poh, CEO of real estate investment consultancy firm DP Group International. Providing leads and connections to potential joint venture partners to real estate development projects throughout Singapore and overseas, DP Group matches developers... https://www.scmp.com/article/1296822/dp-group-ensures-win-win-cross-border-real-estate-investments?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1296822/dp-group-ensures-win-win-cross-border-real-estate-investments?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Aug 2013 01:50:03 +0000 In a move ahead of its time, Singaporean company MC Payment made a bold move in 2005 to make the mobile phone an alternative payment gateway. Less than a decade later, MC Payment leads in providing mobile point-of-sale (MPOS) payment solutions in Asia. From its origins as a start-up provider of innovative payment solutions, MC Payment has grown to incorporate MPOS solutions to adapt leaping changes in smart mobile device technology and consumer expectations. Through its MPOS solutions, it has... https://www.scmp.com/article/1296820/asia-embraces-opportunities-seamless-mobile-payment-solutions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1296820/asia-embraces-opportunities-seamless-mobile-payment-solutions?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Aug 2013 01:41:35 +0000 Asia's growth over the past 20 years has changed the business landscape in many ways, with its rapid urbanisation and huge wealth creation in a short period of time. The biggest impact on companies is the attraction and retention of talent that is critical to power their continued growth. As a result, developers face an urgency to create conducive work environments. Leading business space solutions provider Ascendas builds on its 30-year track record of developing holistic, sustainable... https://www.scmp.com/article/1296817/ascendas-redefines-business-spaces?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1296817/ascendas-redefines-business-spaces?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Aug 2013 01:35:56 +0000 Responding to Asia's increasing need for efficient and specialised medical services, International Healthway Corporation (IHC) is beefing up its expertise as an integrated health care solutions provider to tap into the region's fast-growing wellness sector. Listed in Singapore on July 8, IHC focuses on the development, investment and management of medical centres and integrated mixed-use properties located across the region while bolstering the outpatient services of its subsidiary Healthway... https://www.scmp.com/article/1295599/ihc-bolsters-health-care-presence-throughout-asia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/article/1295599/ihc-bolsters-health-care-presence-throughout-asia?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Aug 2013 09:47:31 +0000