Gates Foundation co-founder Bill Gates said that the office will be established to "access the science to partner with the philanthropic community" and "the research being done" in the country Gates Foundation co-founder Bill Gates and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on May 5 (Photo: Ministry of Digital Development and Information/Betty Chua) SINGAPORE: Bill Gates' non-profit organisation Speaking at the Philanthropy Asia Summit 2025 in Singapore on Monday (May 5) the co-founder of Microsoft said that the office will be established to "access the science to partner with the philanthropic community" and "the research being done" in the country The foundation's presence in Singapore will be established with the support of the Economic Development Board (EDB) "Singapore's strategic location and research ecosystem make it a strong platform for advancing healthcare fintech and (artificial intelligence) innovations that can deliver meaningful impact across the region and the world," EDB managing director Jermaine Loy said in a statement Founded in 2000 by Gates and his then-wife Melinda French Gates the foundation is a philanthropic organisation that aims to improve global health access to education and inclusive economic growth Establishing a Singapore presence reflects the foundation's broader commitment to working alongside countries and partners to help more people live healthy and productive lives and accelerate progress toward achieving sustainable development goals said: "Singapore looks forward to working closely with the Gates Foundation to advance innovation and improve lives - here in Asia and around the world." Mr Wong said that he "had a wide-ranging conversation" with Mr Gates "on the challenges ahead Mr Gates also had a meeting with Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Monday with Mr Lee sharing that they "exchanged views on many topics from eradicating polio and measles to developing new technologies for nuclear power" and discussed how the Gates Foundation can collaborate more with entities in Singapore like the Temasek Trust and the country's universities "We welcome the Gates Foundation and others to continue to bring their businesses and interests here to Singapore and invest in our ecosystem and deepen our ties with the region," he said in his own Facebook post the Gates Foundation said that it was "pleased to have received an invitation from the Singapore Economic Development Board to establish an office in Singapore" The foundation said that it believes "a Singapore presence will strengthen global health and development partnerships across the Southeast Asian region and reinforce Singapore's important role in innovation and philanthropy in the region" "This approach is aligned with our broader global strategy and reflects our long-term commitment to partner with governments and technical partners across Asia to drive progress towards global health and development goals," it added The foundation also said that it is working through the legal and regulatory aspects of establishing a presence in Singapore and will share details on staffing and operational plans once timelines are finalised Philanthropy Asia Alliance CEO Shaun Seow spoke about the value of collaboration between Asian and global philanthropists that global philanthropists understand what's happening in Asia," he said through interactions with the global philanthropists will then have a better idea (of) how philanthropy can advance too hoping that the two will actually come together and actually make a real difference to Asia." Get our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inbox Stay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best stories Join our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat app We know it's a hassle to switch browsers but we want your experience with CNA to be fast Upgraded but still having issues? Contact us The Gates Foundation will open a new office in Singapore its first in Southeast Asia and the 12th worldwide Founded by philanthropist Bill and Melinda Gates the Singapore office aims to deepen support in areas like health and innovation in the region Global leaders have gathered in Singapore at the annual Ecosperity Week with one goal in mind: How to drive the green transition in Asia Mr Gates said Singapore is a great partner in the climate movement I can see what looks like thick rainforest on the opposite bank I hear the barks and quack-like sounds of frogs the high-pitched call of a collared kingfisher and the mellifluous song of an oriental magpie-robin This sense of unadulterated nature is illusory the bustling city-state that has one of the highest population densities in the world beyond the birdsong there’s the undeniable rumble of rush-hour traffic."},"children":[]}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"I’m in the Mandai Wildlife Reserve The Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree opened last month offering 338 stylish rooms in this tranquil tropical setting,"},"children":[]},{"name":"paywall","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":" designed around hundreds of mature trees including a 12-metre rain tree with a sprawling canopy and a native Indian beech strewn with climbers elevated on pillars at either end of the main building The design is said to have been inspired by seed pods but the oval shape and latticed façades reminded me of birds’ nests whose sweeping architectural lines framed the forested banks of Upper Seletar Reservoir given that Banyan Tree’s usual range is boutique properties in Phuket the group has gone big with hundreds of rooms and a bias towards families "}}]},{"name":"ad","children":[]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Zoo kitsch has thankfully been avoided the biophilic design is stylish and there’s a refreshing approach to climate care with air conditioning set so it won’t adjust below 24C Interactive panels show power consumption and offer reminders when usage exceeds recommended levels next to it an edible garden of herbs and spices while the spa has three treatment pods inspired by the shape of the keratin scales of the Sunda pangolin."}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Although the design has its own appeal the reason most will stay here is for easy walkable access to the zoo’s numerous areas Bird Paradise and the recently launched Rainforest Wild Asia (separate entry tickets from £25 but makes it tricky for tourists on a stopover because more than one park a day can be taxing which claims to be the world’s first zoo showcasing nocturnal animals in action which attracts more than a million people a year often features at the top of lists of “ethical zoos” and funds conservation projects and breeding programmes but I felt a tinge of melancholy to see free birds perched on the outside interacting with birds trapped inside; it won’t be for everyone."}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"The hotel comes amid a flurry of new hotels in Singapore with the biggest news being the opening in March of the resort-style Raffles Sentosa,sister to the brand’s flagship heritage hotel downtown (B&B doubles from about £800; raffles.com) The Singapore hotel group COMO — with properties in Bhutan Tuscany and Turks and Caicos — has also planted a flag in its home town with COMO Metropolitan Singapore opened 19 months ago in the thrum of the city with a robot barista and sensational digital artwork (B&B doubles from £250; comohotels.com) which opened at the end of last year as an urban bolt hole with terraced gardens for morning yoga The check-in desk is a terrarium artwork by Erik Tobua there are oversized outdoor sculptures and an excellent izakaya-style restaurant where the chef Nicholas Cheng focuses on fermented and pickled dishes in glorious surrounds with fronds of hanging plants trailing from the ceiling (B&B doubles from £230; standardhotels.com) "}}]},{"name":"interactive","attributes":{"id":"2424a18a-bd9d-48b2-b97f-cce1b5a1a6ea","display":"primary","url":"https://components.timesdev.tools/lib2/newsletter-puff-1.0.0/newsletter-puff.html","element":{"value":"newsletter-puff","attributes":{"code":"TNL-149","copy":"Get inspiration for your next trip and a great deal thanks to our carefully curated offers ","label":"In your inbox","date-to":"2025-05-01","headline":"Travel newsletter","imageUri":"https://www.thetimes.com/imageserver/image/methode%2Ftimes%2Fprod%2Fweb%2Fbin%2F78677f6f-e092-4e65-a858-70b1c78fc048.jpg?resize=800","date-from":"2025-05-01"}}},"children":[]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"There is a sense that this city of striking skyscrapers and efficient infrastructure is also embracing itslush and verdant character Located just sixty miles or so off the equator Highways are increasingly bordered by shrubbery and bougainvillea; many roads are leafy boulevards lined with towering trees with sprouting epiphytes clinging to their trunks and wedges of urban land have been transformed into bursts of hibiscus and heliconia locals congregate to practise the meditative martial art of qigong and a gentle form of swordsmanship with long sticks It’s one of the few places in tech-forward Singapore that still triggers my memories of childhood trips here(entry free; nparks.gov.sg)."}}]},{"name":"image","attributes":{"id":"6cb4187d-3915-4b1f-8134-7b14892f35dc","display":"fullwidth","caption":"Singapore’s Marina Bay","title":"View of Singapore's skyline at sunset featuring Marina Bay Sands and the Singapore Flyer.","credits":"Getty Images","url":"https://www.thetimes.com/imageserver/image/%2F1e32a1bb-2868-4db3-b3fd-5c78b67ef512.jpg?crop=8000%2C5000%2C0%2C0","ratio":"8000:5000","relativeHorizontalOffset":0,"relativeVerticalOffset":0,"relativeWidth":1,"relativeHeight":1},"children":[]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"The modern homage to horticulture is Gardens by the Bay with glassy conservatories showcasing different biomes (entry to the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest and futuristic tree-shaped structures collecting solar energy to power a nightly light show on Marina Bay "}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Wilder nature is less prevalent across the tiny country such as Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve in the north and MacRitchie Nature Trail & Reservoir Park all within an hour from the city centre by bus or MRT An easy walk around any of these is often rewarded with sightings of long-tailed macaque monkeys smooth-coated otters and clouded monitor lizards to position the country not only as one of the world’s most ambitious commercial ports but also one that hasn’t forgotten its natural assets its tropical environs and its place on the planet "}}]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"italic","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"This article contains affiliate links which may earn us revenue"}}]}]},{"name":"inlineAd3","children":[]},{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Michelle Jana Chan was a guest of Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree which has B&B doubles from £260 "}}]},{"name":"link","children":[{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"(banyantree.com"}}]}],"attributes":{"href":"https://www.banyantree.com/singapore"}},{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":") sea and some of the country’s — if not the world’s — best beaches Down at Sydney Harbour there’s twice the fish diversity of the entire UK and at Cabbage Tree Bay you can snorkel among abundant marine life Find the Living Seawalls attached to the local ocean pool (livingseawalls.com.au); these are dotted around the harbour providing habitats for tiny ocean critters Head upstream to the Parramatta River and official swimming spots that opened a decade ago after a major clean-up If you spot seals lounging on the steps behind Sydney Opera House send a photo to Wild Sydney Harbour to help their citizen science (wildsydneyharbour.com) contains columns sculpted like trees and doorframes with leaf motifs (£22; sagradafamilia.org) but for real nature in Catalonia’s buzzing capital walk 15 minutes east to Parc de les Glories it has been converted into a public park with a lawn biodiversity corner and newly opened tree gardens is a raised coastal headland with a diverse landscape of wild forest and pristine ornamental gardens with walking trails and beautiful views of the city Stroll down to the coast for Barcelona’s famous beaches artificially created specifically for the 1992 Olympic Games More than 500 marine species live in these waters just south of the trendy Shinjuku district was planted a century ago to honour the passing of the reformist Emperor Meiji with 100,000 trees transported from across Japan Many of Tokyo’s native trees have been preserved inside centuries-old ancient shrines also home to a popular multicoloured azalea garden contains a diverse range of vegetation densely packed together from the ecological “forest of life” to a traditional Japanese ornamental garden Nairobi National Park is the world’s foremost urban wildlife reserve or team up with Friends of Nairobi National Park (fonnap.org) and volunteer on a bimonthly biodiversity drive The park also has a raised safari walk and animal orphanage to visit on foot Kenya’s charismatic animals can also be seen at the nearby Giraffe Centre (£2; giraffecentre.org) and Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage (£15; sheldrickwildlifetrust.org) Karura Forest Reserve is a historic site where the Nobel peace prizewinner Wangari Maathai led her campaign for the protection and reforestation of land and for the rights of the Kenyan people (friendsofkarura.org) "}},{"name":"break","children":[]},{"name":"bold","children":[{"name":"text","children":[],"attributes":{"value":"Chris Fitch’s Wild Cities: Discovering New Ways of Living in the Modern Urban Jungle is out now (William Collins £22)"}}]}]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":200})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Looking out across deep-green waters in a wildlife reserve with zoos and adventure parks Here’s why I was wrong","id":"cdd45fe5-9012-429b-b724-5ca4ed8bbd69","label":null,"publicationName":"SUNDAYTIMES","publishedTime":"2025-01-16T00:01:00.000Z","updatedTime":"2025-01-17T16:33:56.000Z","section":null,"shortIdentifier":"zmdwcrqw0","shortHeadline":"I thought this stopover city would be boring the city-state off the southern tip of Malaysia not sexy"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":125})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Singapore Safety and efficiency"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":145})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Singapore Safety and efficiency come at a price and"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":160})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Singapore Safety and efficiency come at a price and in this case"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":175})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Singapore Safety and efficiency come at a price and in this case it’s lots of rules"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":225})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"Singapore Safety and efficiency come at a price and in this case it’s lots of rules and regulations location and deals.","slug":"shangri-la-singapore-hotel-review","categoryPath":"/travel/destinations/asia-travel/singapore/shangri-la-singapore-hotel-review-rzdbw7tnv","__typename":"Article","summary({\"maxCharCount\":105})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"While Orchard Road’s fruit tree plantations are long gone open since"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":125})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"While Orchard Road’s fruit tree plantations are long gone remains a"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":145})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"While Orchard Road’s fruit tree plantations are long gone Three wings"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":160})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"While Orchard Road’s fruit tree plantations are long gone Three wings — with 792"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":175})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"While Orchard Road’s fruit tree plantations are long gone Three wings — with 792 cosseting rooms —"},"children":[]}]}]},"summary({\"maxCharCount\":225})":{"type":"json","json":[{"name":"paragraph","children":[{"name":"text","attributes":{"value":"While Orchard Road’s fruit tree plantations are long gone Michelle Jana Chan checks inThis luxury hotel is surrounded by a sprawling canopyMANDAI RAINFOREST RESORT BY BANYAN TREEMichelle Jana ChanSaturday May 03 2025 The Sunday TimesLooking out across deep-green waters beyond the birdsong there’s the undeniable rumble of rush-hour traffic Through a lobby left open to the elements are five storeys decorated with specially commissioned wallpaper depicting the rainforest’s natural layers: on lower levels the imagery is of the forest floor; higher up it reflects the canopy The most alluring guest rooms are 24 so-called treehouses Inside one of the hotel’s 338 roomsMANDAI RAINFOREST RESORT BY BANYAN TREEThat a high-end hotel group like the Singapore-owned Banyan Tree brand would open its first hotel on home turf next to a tourist attraction could sound tacky while the spa has three treatment pods inspired by the shape of the keratin scales of the Sunda pangolin Pandas are among the wildlife at the zooDAVID TANSplitting up the zoo like this incentivises Singaporeans to come on separate visits • Read our full guide to Singapore here Bird Paradise houses 3,500 birds shifted here from an outdated park in the west of the country Bird Paradise is home to thousands of birdsALAMYSingapore’s zoo but I felt a tinge of melancholy to see free birds perched on the outside interacting with birds trapped inside; it won’t be for everyone The hotel comes amid a flurry of new hotels in Singapore with the biggest news being the opening in March of the resort-style Raffles Sentosa,sister to the brand’s flagship heritage hotel downtown (B&B doubles from about £800; raffles.com) with a robot barista and sensational digital artwork (B&B doubles from £250; comohotels.com) with fronds of hanging plants trailing from the ceiling (B&B doubles from £230; standardhotels.com) There is a sense that this city of striking skyscrapers and efficient infrastructure is also embracing itslush and verdant character From the 19th century British colonialists felled giant trees for fuel and timber and established rubber plantations in a continued programme of deforestation The striking vista from the so-called treehousesMANDAI RAINFOREST RESORT BY BANYAN TREEBut now the wild is being brought back in the spaces between modernity • 15 of the best hotels in Singapore Singapore Botanic Gardens is a Unesco world heritage site with 197 acres of tropical landscaping and the world’s largest display of orchids It’s one of the few places in tech-forward Singapore that still triggers my memories of childhood trips here(entry free; nparks.gov.sg) Singapore’s Marina BayGETTY IMAGESThe modern homage to horticulture is Gardens by the Bay Wilder nature is less prevalent across the tiny country and MacRitchie Nature Trail & Reservoir Park There’s a strong drive in Singapore to integrate nature into the cityscape Michelle Jana Chan was a guest of Mandai Rainforest Resort by Banyan Tree, which has B&B doubles from £260 (banyantree.com) Manly Beach in SydneyALAMYAustralia’s biggest city is all about sun as documented by Drone Shark App (@dronesharkapp) Parc de les Glories in BarcelonaCHRIS FITCHGaudí’s masterpiece A traditional gate in Meiji Jingu Shrine in TokyoALAMYThe Meiji Jingu forest This park becomes full of crowds every time the springtime hanami cherry blossom viewing season rolls around Giraffes in Nairobi National ParkALAMYIn the south of the Kenyan capital Chris Fitch’s Wild Cities: Discovering New Ways of Living in the Modern Urban Jungle is out now (William Collins £22) entertainmentTaiwanese actress Cheryl Yang visits Singapore, goes on gastronomic tourCheryl Yang tried different food in Singapore, including ice cream sandwich, chilli crab and a Shake Shack burger.PHOTO: Screengrab/Instagram/Cheryl YangPUBLISHED ONMay 05, 2025 9:32 AMByDrima ChakrabortyWhen in Rome Taiwanese actress Cheryl Yang ate as Singaporeans did [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/DI89jl4SHLk/[/embed] the 47-year-old showcased her gastronomic journey while in the country followed by a classic ice-cream sandwich from a cart along Orchard Road "This is cake and this is chocolate (chip) ice cream let's try," she declared in the video which she found to be "very spicy" She had it with rice before soaking up the gravy with mantou Cheryl also had a burger and milkshake from Shake Shack at what appeared to be Jewel Changi Airport She said that it was her favourite burger brand from when she visited the US and that she liked it despite not enjoying Western food much [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/DJGXuKdRZcR/[/embed] Cheryl was in Singapore for a Cartier event in April which was also attended by South Korean actor Byeon Woo-seok Chinese actor Bai Jingting and British actress Gemma Chan [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/DI_HCsnJhHV/?img_index=1[/embed] Tasha Low and Chantalle Ng were also in attendance No part of this article can be reproduced without permission from AsiaOne SINGAPORE: Outflows from Singapore’s banking sector reached S$701 million in April as institutional investors showed buying interest in telecommunications and industrial stocks The Straits Times Index (STI) fell 3.5% for the month with dividends cushioning the total return loss to 2.3% In early April it saw a steep 15% drop due to global trade concerns Singtel recorded a net inflow of S$512 million in April alone securing its position as the most bought stock by institutions for the month and year-to-date The telecommunications sector was the strongest-performing group with S$522 million in institutional inflows NetLink NBN Trust and StarHub also drew positive flows while the FTSE ST Telecommunications Index posted a 9.5% total return Others drawing institutional capital included SGX ComfortDelGro and Sembcorp Industries were among the top net buys The real estate sector didn’t fare as well with Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) facing S$74 million in institutional outflows and CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust still attracted interest ranking among the top 25 most net bought stocks in April Singapore equities saw a net outflow of S$73 million from institutions in April mainly due to outflows from the banking sector but the inflows into non-bank sectors suggest a measured confidence in sectors with stable returns amid global uncertainty As the earnings season approaches, investors are expected to stay on defensive plays and high-yielding assets. /TISG  Read also: DBS says STI ‘likely to turn sideways’, outlines 3 scenarios on Singapore’s growth and STI levels amid tariff talks Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only) Photo Credit: The reception at NoMad London. Hilton Hotels / Simon Upton Select a question above or ask something else Hilton Hotels on Monday announced its plan to launch its luxury lifestyle brand NoMad in Singapore, the brand’s first global expansion under Hilton’s ownership Hilton and Singapore-listed property group UOL plans to open the 173-room NoMad Singapore in early 2027 on Orchard Road described Singapore as the first of “many cities in Asia” to welcome NoMad “This signing adds a new and significant dimension to Hilton’s phenomenal growth story in Asia Pacific,” he said adding that luxury lifestyle travel is seeing strong The Singapore debut follows Hilton’s acquisition of a majority stake in Sydell Group Hilton’s decision to purchase NoMad comes as global hotel brands have been rushing to enter the luxury lifestyle space and deliver cultural experiences that attract younger Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta noted that while small, NoMad’s cultural cachet is substantial. “It’s a space we needed to be in,” he said at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit earlier this year Hilton projected it is already in advanced stages of discussion with Sydell for more than 10 new NoMad properties with a long-term goal of up to 100 worldwide branding and operations while Hilton powers the global expansion “We are ensuring that the NoMad properties maintain their unique identity and do not become too similar to our existing luxury brands,” Clarence Tan, senior vice president, development — Asia Pacific at Hilton, told Skift last year The NoMad launch is one piece in Hilton’s broader luxury expansion across Asia Pacific The group plans to grow its luxury footprint to 150 hotels in the region in the coming years Hilton said it would open Waldorf Astoria properties in Kuala Lumpur Conrad Hotels & Resorts is also expanding with upcoming properties in prime travel destinations across China The hotel company is also diversifying its luxury playbook with LXR Hotels & Resorts The company recently absorbed more than 400 Small Luxury Hotels of the World into its loyalty ecosystem Competitors like Marriott are also focused on the region will now be heading to Mumbai next in 2029 Marriott’s recent announcement that it would buy lifestyle brand citizenM will help it accelerate its global expansion in the select-service and lifestyle hotel sectors While Hilton's traditional luxury brands like Conrad and Waldorf Astoria continue to expand in regional capitals NoMad caters to a fast-growing demographic: affluent travelers seeking bespoke hyper-localized experiences over traditional opulence “NoMad is built on the concept of a hotel as a welcoming home filled with stories where every detail – from its interiors and rich visual appeal to its thoughtfully curated dining experiences – comes to life,” said Andrew Zobler NoMad Singapore is part of a broader vision led by UOL Group The project will develop alongside UOL’s luxury residences: Upperhouse at Orchard Boulevard forming what UOL Chief Executive Liam Wee Sin calls a “luxury lifestyle trio” meant to reimagine the area as a high-end cultural and residential hub Talking about the rise of branded residences, lifestyle hotels, and flexible spaces that blend work, play, and community in Asia Pacific, Nihat Ercan, CEO of JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group, Asia Pacific, had told Skift earlier “Guests today want more than a room — they want connection What am I looking at? The performance of hotels and short-term rental sector stocks within the ST200 The index includes companies publicly traded across global markets including international and regional hotel brands The Skift Travel 200 (ST200) combines the financial performance of nearly 200 travel companies worth more than a trillion dollars into a single number. See more hotels and short-term rental financial sector performance. Read the full methodology behind the Skift Travel 200. Tags: asia monthly, hilton, NoMad Hotels, singapore Subscribe today to keep up with the latest travel industry news Already a subscriber? Login The leading source of hotel industry news for lodging Hilton Hotels is expanding its luxury lifestyle NoMad brand into Asia beginning with a new property in Singapore scheduled for a 2027 opening This marks the brand's global debut under Hilton's ownership following its acquisition of majority control in Sydell Group The move is part of Hilton's broader luxury growth strategy in Asia Pacific which includes launching more luxury hotels and integrating unique properties into its portfolio while competitors like Marriott are also ramping up efforts in the region’s lifestyle hotel sector New users get20% offtheir first year of Skift Pro A container ship passes through waters south of Singapore on Nov 17 SINGAPORE: A free trade agreement (FTA) between Singapore and the Pacific Alliance came into force on Saturday (May 3) for three countries the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) said on Monday The Pacific Alliance is a Latin American trade bloc comprising Chile Peru and Chile was entered into force first while Colombia and Mexico undergo their ratification processes the Pacific Alliance represents the ninth-largest economy in the world The agreement was signed in January 2022 by Singapore's Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong and his counterparts from the Pacific Alliance member states Singapore and Peru ratified the agreement in July 2022 and February 2023 respectively This is Singapore’s 28th free trade agreement Singapore’s bilateral trade with the Pacific Alliance in 2024 was S$12.5 billion (US$9.6 billion) accounting for more than a third of Singapore’s total trade with the Latin American and Caribbean region The top traded products include electric machinery There are also about 100 Singapore companies operating in the Pacific Alliance’s markets in sectors such as technology and the digital economy infrastructure as well as port management and logistics It is the first FTA between Singapore and Colombia Singapore is already FTA partners with Chile and Mexico through the existing Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and with Peru through the CPTPP and the bilateral Peru-Singapore FTA Countries under the agreement will not impose tariffs on each other’s goods on most tariff lines will reduce or eliminate tariffs on 85.7 per cent of tariff lines after it ratifies the agreement Businesses can also use materials from any member country to contribute towards a good’s originating status making it easier for their exports to qualify for preferential tariff treatment Singapore service providers can enjoy lower operating costs as they need not establish or maintain a local representative office in the Pacific Alliance for sectors which have been committed to liberalisation They will also have preferential market access in legal Singapore companies can also bid for the Pacific Alliance's government procurement projects This issue is preventing our website from loading properly. 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LOGIN Downloadable PDFs are a benefit of an FP subscription This article is an Insider exclusive Contact us at [email protected] to learn about upgrade options unlocking the ability to gift this article Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s People’s Action Party (PAP) which has ruled Singapore uninterrupted since 1959 improved its vote share by more than 4 percentage points to 65.57 percent The PAP maintained its near-total dominance in Parliament it secured more than three-quarters of votes polled To be fair, the government is aware and in recent years has boosted social spending, given financial respite to those who lost jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic, and made attempts to regain public confidence but rises in sales tax and expensive housing exacerbated by foreigners buying and renting property He had taken over as both PAP leader and prime minister last year after Lee Hsien Loong stepped aside following two decades in power who governed the city-state in its first 31 years This year’s election was particularly interesting as it was the first in decades without a Lee leading the ruling party once described as a seat-warmer before Lee’s son would take over in fact led for 14 years before Lee Hsien Loong.) Typically whenever a new leader has taken over the reins the PAP’s voting share has dropped; Wong bucked that trend which has governed uninterrupted since 1959 is no longer living up to its obligations to the people.” While the family drama was engrossing in a voyeuristic sense the electoral outcome suggests that voters didn’t care But while Singaporean voters like someone to rise against the powerful ruling party they guard their pocketbooks and reward the strict government which has curbed individual and collective freedoms but made most Singaporeans homeowners and attracted foreign investors to create jobs There is a word in Hokkien, the most widely spoken Chinese dialect in Singapore, that means “afraid to lose out”—kiasu It shows a desperation not to miss out on something by placing your interests first it means preferring stability over volatility even if that translates to fewer diverging views in Parliament who shocked the PAP by winning the Anson constituency in 1981 and again in 1984 Pragmatic Singaporeans drew their lessons and realized the East Asian saying—the tall bamboo shoot is the first to get cut but the government insists that the boundary commission is independent Singapore’s fledgling opposition gained confidence and began to attract the kind of public-spirited people who would otherwise get drawn to the PAP Better-educated Singaporeans began to resent the paternalism of the PAP which wanted the electorate to be grateful for its rule and keep voting it back into power But the fact remains that the PAP won resoundingly The main opposition Workers’ Party won just over half the aggregated votes polled in the eight constituencies it contested in against the PAP Since Singapore’s rules require at least 12 opposition MPs in Parliament two of its ‘closest losers’ will get nominated as non-constituency MPs This does not detract from the PAP’s achievements qualified opposition candidates find it so hard to overcome barriers and ingrained mindsets substantially higher than the global average There is another geostrategic factor: Singapore has maintained good relations with China and the United States over the years; friction between the two has not affected its bilateral ties with either As relations between Beijing and Washington deteriorate Singapore recognizes that the impacts can only be adverse Wong skillfully convinced outwardly oriented Singaporeans who realize the significance of an open economy that tackling tariffs and negotiating U.S.-China tensions are too important to be left in the hands of untried politicians listening to their minds and not their hearts Salil Tripathi is a writer based in New York He is the author of The Colonel Who Would Not Repent: The Bangladesh War and Its Unquiet Legacy and The Gujaratis Commenting on this and other recent articles is just one benefit of a Foreign Policy subscription Join the conversation on this and other recent Foreign Policy articles when you subscribe now Please follow our comment guidelines The default username below has been generated using the first name and last initial on your FP subscriber account Usernames may be updated at any time and must not contain inappropriate or offensive language FP’s flagship evening newsletter guiding you through the most important world stories of the day Specialty rates for students and faculty. Lock in your rates for longer. Unlock powerful intelligence for your team. that means JavaScript has been disabled on your browser Please enable JavaScript to make this website work with sample counts showing it winning all but 10 seats in 97-seat legislature Singapore’s ruling party has notched a resounding win in general elections, official results have shown, giving the prime minister, Lawrence Wong, the clear mandate he sought from voters. Wong’s long-ruling People’s Action party crossed the threshold of 49 seats early on Sunday to form a majority government in the wealthy city-state’s 97-seat unicameral legislature, with sample counts earlier showing the PAP winning all but 10 seats. “We are grateful once again for your strong mandate, and we will honour it,” a broadly smiling Wong said shortly after winning his ward, thanking supporters gathered at Yio Chu Kang stadium. Wong was facing his first major test against a rejuvenated opposition and had urged voters to offer him a strong show of support as he navigates the trade-oriented nation through global economic uncertainties brought by US tariffs. The PAP, which has steered the south-east Asian country to prosperity while being criticised for suppressing dissent, was always expected to easily retain a clear majority in the legislature. However, its dominance has been increasingly challenged by a more vocal electorate over the years. Popular after leading Singapore’s Covid task force, Wong took over last year from his predecessor Lee Hsien Loong, the son of founding premier Lee Kuan Yew who ruled the island state after its bitter breakup with Malaysia in 1965. Wong had warned Singapore would be hit hard if the US president, Donald Trump, went ahead with the tariffs he announced and then paused for most countries, and that it needed to stay open and competitive to counter their effects. He has also said the ructions caused could require a major restructuring of Singapore’s economy. “The intense campaigning by PM Lawrence Wong and former PM Lee Hsien Loong in the hot seats must have helped a lot and the fear of Trump’s tariffs must have worried voters as well,” political observer and veteran former editor PN Balji told AFP. The overwhelming PAP majority has become a norm in Singapore’s political landscape. But in the runup to the latest polls, the PAP had faced a series of controversies. Lee Hsien Loong is locked in a bitter feud with his brother Lee Hsien Yang, who vehemently supports the opposition and who has sought political asylum in Britain. The long-running family row centres on allegations made by Lee Hsien Yang that his brother is seeking to block the demolition of a family bungalow to capitalise on Lee Kuan Yew’s legacy – something he has denied. Last year, former transport minister S Iswaran was thrown in jail for graft, and in 2023 the parliament speaker and a lawmaker resigned over an “inappropriate” affair. At the same time, younger voters showed themselves to be increasingly receptive to alternative political voices. One voter told AFP she had been impressed by “refreshing and exciting” new candidates from across the political spectrum. “Whether or not they get elected, I hope we see and hear more of them, and get to know them better,” said 40-year-old Shi’ai Liang. In 2020, the country’s largest opposition group, the Workers’ party (WP), made historic gains, winning 10 of the 93 seats at stake – a significant jump from its previously held four seats. The WP – which has become politically slicker – had been hoping to build on that momentum with a slate of charismatic candidates, including a top lawyer. The party pulled in massive crowds at its rallies during the campaign, just like in previous elections, but those big numbers have seldom translated into electoral wins in the past. Campaigning on cost of living issues, WP candidates said more opposition MPs were needed to deprive the PAP of a political “blank cheque” to do whatever it wants. The PAP, however, pointed to the billions of Singapore dollars it has spent in helping citizens cope with rising costs, including via cash handouts and grocery vouchers. Investment company A.P. Moller Holding in 2023 acquired Maersk Supply Services which included the offshore wind business. A year later, however, it sold the majority of Maersk Supply Services to DOF but retained the offshore wind business which was launched as Maersk Offshore Wind. The installation vessel’s first assignment was for the Empire Wind offshore wind farm being developed by Equinor. The project was underway when the Trump administration in mid-April issued a stop-work order for offshore construction. It said it would be reviewing the permitting claiming it had been rushed by the Biden administration.  Equinor has said if the project which was fully permitted is stopped it would be libel to repay $1.5 billion for the equity commitments to the project financing. It said the project has a book value of around $2.5 billion and it could also be exposed to termination fees towards its suppliers. Equinor is complying with the U.S. order but called it “unlawful” and said it is reviewing steps including possible legal action.  Maersk Offshore Wind in April predicted future growth for its business and foresaw ordering additional vessels. With the U.S. market likely stalled, however, it will have to look to Europe and other areas that continue to move for with their offshore wind projects. © Copyright 2025 The Maritime Executive, LLC. All rights reserved. compared to just 26 for the Workers' Party which won the 10 seats PAP did not win.The PAP has a big membership to draw from influence in state institutions and far greater resources than its untested opponents.Joshua Kurlantzick Senior Fellow for Southeast Asia and South Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations said the PAP's decisive win came down to Singaporeans backing a known quantity at a time of uncertainty."It’s a flight to safety - not wanting to change to a new party amidst the greatest global trade tensions in decades," he said."Just because they are a rock in times of trouble - the same issues are there (that) they need to address."Reporting by Xinghui Kok Jun Yuan Yong and Bing Hong Lok; editing by Martin Petty and Mark Heinrich Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab , opens new tab Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and insights from worldwide sources and experts. , opens new tabScreen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. © 2025 Reuters. All rights reserved Jun Yuan Yong and Bing Hong Lok; Writing by John Mair; Editing by Saad Sayeed Low tax rates have made it a magnet for global finance The highest tax bracket was defined as income above S$320,000 Singapore's economy is considered to be safe and stable the nation functions on a "high-income" economy with strong investments in infrastructure Its regulatory environment is very business-friendly Singapore's economic growth was 1.1% in 2023 and the country ranked among the top countries in human capital development and/or mutual fund shares that have Singaporean companies and assets (like bonds) in their portfolios A tax haven is a jurisdiction that offers favorable tax treatment to individuals and corporations specifically to those who don't permanently reside there They may also waive any residency requirements for favorable treatment Some of the most common tax havens include the Cayman Islands Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore. "Income Tax Rates." Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore. "Gains From Sale of Property, Shares and Financial Instruments." Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore. "Corporate Tax Rates, Corporate Income Tax Rebates, and Tax Exemption Schemes." Internal Revenue Authority of Singapore. "Payments That Are Not Subject to Withholding Tax." Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore. "Dividends." Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore. "Gains From Sale of Property, Shares and Financial Instruments." Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore. "Interest." Enterprise Singapore. “Global Trader Programme.” Monetary Authority of Singapore. "Anti-Money Laundering." Singapore Statutes. "Banking Act, Section 47: Privacy of Customer Information." Singapore Statutes. "Banking Act, Third Schedule." Monetary Authority of Singapore. "Regulation." World Bank Group. "The World Bank in Singapore - Overview." Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article Almost all of the remaining population practicing a religion is Hindu but there are also many Singaporeans who have no religious affiliation a trend also occurring in other developed nations Singapore’s economy always has differed from those of the other Southeast Asian countries in that it never has been primarily dependent on the production and export of commodities This has been accompanied by a strong commitment to education and health Labour shortages and rising wages have heightened the push for restructuring the economy even more toward higher value-added production The rationale for extensive government intervention in economic development has weakened and more support for domestic private businesses Union membership has declined as centralized union structures have been replaced by smaller industry- and enterprise-based unions Greater reliance has been placed on local labour-management negotiations Singapore is a major exporter of both orchids and aquarium fish production has been diversifying from such labour-intensive industries as textiles to high-technology activities like the manufacture of electronics and precision equipment and oil refining which yield a much higher added value to production Tourism has become increasingly important to Singapore’s economy Singapore’s central location in Southeast Asia and its excellent air-transport facilities have been augmented by massive investments in hotels and shopping centres Duty-free shopping and a variety of recreational attractions A focal point of Singapore’s growth as an international financial centre has been the Asian Dollar Market which is essentially an international money and capital market where currencies other than the Singapore dollar are traded The Development Bank of Singapore is the largest local bank in terms of assets The Stock Exchange of Singapore is an important component of the financial activity in the region May 5, 2025 | , The Pacific Alliance-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (PASFTA) has officially entered into force on 3 May 2025 marking a significant milestone for Singapore’s international trade relations which includes Chile and Peru as the first to implement it solidifies Singapore’s 28th Free Trade Agreement (FTA) The PASFTA aims to enhance trade and investment ties between Singapore and the member countries of the Pacific Alliance (PA) – Chile the Pacific Alliance is a Latin American trade bloc that collectively represents the 9th largest economy globally with a combined population of 235 million people Singapore’s strong trade presence is evident with nearly 100 Singaporean companies operating across the Pacific Alliance markets with Singapore already having trade agreements with Chile and Mexico through the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and with Peru via both the CPTPP and a bilateral FTA The signing of the PASFTA took place at the 16th Pacific Alliance Summit in Colombia on 26 January 2022 and his counterparts from the Pacific Alliance member states After ratifications from Singapore and Peru in 2022 and 2023 Chile’s ratification on 4 March 2025 triggered the agreement’s entry into force for these three countries The agreement will come into force for Colombia and Mexico upon the completion of their respective ratification procedures This agreement underscores Singapore’s commitment to expanding its trade network with Latin America offering greater opportunities for businesses in both regions Singaporean companies will benefit from enhanced market access and broader investment prospects within the Pacific Alliance markets Home News Press Releases Interviews Credentials Events Special Edition Gallery Foreign Missions CONTACT NUMBER:Tel: +65 6735 2972Mobile: +65 9831 1675 EMAIL:ceooffice@sunmediaonline.comedit@sunmediaonline.com This race has been seen as a test for the leadership of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong who stressed to the electorate the need for a strong mandate Five seats in the Marine Parade group representation constituency (GRC) already fell into People’s Action Party (PAP) hands after the Workers’ Party (WP) made the shock move not to contest there marking the first walkover in the city state since 2011 Yet the ruling PAP on its campaign trail appeared to face strong opposition in the northeast from WP and in the west from the Progress Singapore Party and Singapore Democratic Party All eyes had been on whether the opposition could expand its foothold in parliament and cause the PAP’s vote share to slip under 60 per cent for the first time since 1965 or if the PAP’s dominance could be shaken in the face of geopolitical uncertainty and a stronger appetite for diverse voices in parliament Essential digital access to quality FT journalism on any device Complete digital access to quality FT journalism with expert analysis from industry leaders Complete digital access to quality analysis and expert insights complemented with our award-winning Weekend Print edition Terms & Conditions apply Discover all the plans currently available in your country See why over a million readers pay to read the Financial Times PM Lawrence Wong called the election results where the People’s Action Party took 65.57 per cent of the national vote stability and confidence in your government” PM Lawrence Wong speaking to the media during a press conference in The Treasury on May 4 SINGAPORE: The strong showing by the People’s Action Party (PAP) at the polls gives the ruling party a “clear and strong mandate to govern” said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at a post-results press conference at The Treasury building around 3am on Sunday (May 4) In a landslide victory, the PAP took 65.57 per cent of the national vote improving on its 2020 performance by more than 4 percentage points The ruling party won a total of 87 seats, with victories in 15 GRCs and 14 SMCs on election night, adding 82 seats to the five it picked up in its walkover win in Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC Addressing the media alongside a panel comprising mostly members of the PAP’s leadership Mr Wong said he was “deeply humbled and grateful” by the results It is Mr Wong’s first election as prime minister and as secretary-general of the PAP stability and confidence in your government can draw strength from this and look ahead to our future with confidence,” said Mr Wong He said that going into his first campaign as party leader he just wanted to do his best together with the rest of his team and we will respect the decisions of Singaporean voters" "Am I satisfied with the outcome of the elections "We are very happy that Singaporeans have given us this mandate in this election We don't take this support and trust for granted at all it motivates all of us in this team to work even harder to do our best for everyone in Singapore." Noting that the election took place at a “critical time” for Singapore Mr Wong echoed a campaign slogan of the “changed world” Singapore finds itself in amid an economic slowdown fundamental shifts in the international order and the nation’s leadership transition Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong also highlighted the importance of a strong mandate for the PAP Mr Wong highlighted that an issue in this year’s election was the desire for more opposition members and alternative voices in parliament and that he respected these views he addressed Singaporeans with these views and asked that these voters consider the merits of having “the perspective of having a good strong team in government to work effectively for you” Beyond engaging Singaporeans about the plans laid out in the PAP’s manifesto Mr Wong said that more concrete plans would come in the coming years On other hot button issues of the cost of living and housing Mr Wong said: “We have been working on these issues we will redouble our efforts in the coming term to tackle these issues of concern.”  He added that the PAP government’s “comprehensive approach” to address cost-of-living concerns had already been shared and is currently in motion One particular priority in the near future would be to deal with economic uncertainty which could cause people to “feel the squeeze even more” “So we are focused not just on cost of living and looking at whether there's a need for additional measures We are prepared to activate them if the situation worsens,” said Mr Wong including many young people with a desire to contribute and serve the WP will now have 10 elected seats as well as two non-constituency MP (NCMP) seats and was involved in the two closest contests of the night The WP lost to the PAP in Jalan Kayu SMC by less than 3 percentage points and in Tampines GRC by less than 5 percentage points and we will continue to have constructive and robust debates in Parliament,” said Mr Wong Mr Wong said he looks forward to contributions from opposition members in parliament given that parliament is where key national issues are discussed where critical national issues are concerned uphold a shared responsibility to come together and to advance Singapore's interests together in this changed and turbulent world,” he added Responding to a question from the media on whether it was the right decision to field Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong in Punggol GRC Mr Wong explained his considerations and said he believed it was the right decision to make Mr Gan’s surprise presence as anchor minister was a subject of much discussion during the hustings, as Mr Wong and Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong had emphasised Mr Gan’s experience as one that could not be easily replaced should WP have won “Teo Chee Hean was stepping down in Punggol but looking at the wider area around Punggol “I think that also accords or says to Punggol residents that I’m taking them seriously I’m not just putting in a new person to take over I'm looking for someone suitable to replace,” said Mr Wong The decision to move Mr Gan to Punggol GRC led to subsequent decisions to field Dr Tan See Leng in Chua Chu Kang to fill Mr Gan’s gap there's a better distribution of leadership because Mr Wong said that one immediate task he has is to form the country's next Cabinet "I'm grateful that all my key members have been voted in and Singaporeans have now given me a chance to put together the best team to serve you and to serve Singapore," he said He added that the new Cabinet line-up will be revealed "in due course" with a press conference followed by a swearing-in ceremony the ministers have already been continuing with their existing portfolios since Parliament was dissolved the work of government is continuing," he said With gaps from the retirement of four Cabinet ministers - Mr Teo Chee Hean Mr Heng Swee Keat and Dr Maliki Osman - Mr Wong said that he will have to look at the individuals on his team and "see how best to assign them to the right responsibilities based on their strengths complement each other based on different skill sets Mr Wong added that NTUC secretary-general Ng Chee Meng will potentially have a role in his next Cabinet based on the roles of the nation's labour chiefs in previous Cabinet line-ups Mr Wong said that in this election's campaign political parties were generally "able to discuss most of the issues calmly" I thought all parties were able to highlight the issues and there was good discussion and debates on these issues where the other political parties will have a different view," he said "They will say it's the government's fault And I think Singaporeans were able to listen to both sides and consider for themselves what they think is the right perspective Mr Wong said that for the specific instance of the negative personal attacks which he highlighted during the campaign the WP later said "it was not negative attacks "But I do notice that the negative personal attacks started moderating too The prime minister also said he was not "overly concerned about extrapolating one incident or one instance to a trend that may happen in future" adding that the same would apply to the issue over the mixing of race and religion into politics if there are areas where we think it goes beyond a certain line and goes beyond what we think is appropriate and we hope Singaporeans will support what we say whether it's on the negative personal attacks as well as on race and religion In response to a question from CNA on what the PAP can learn from an election in which it performed well there will be areas where the party can reflect and find opportunities to do better whether it had done well in the contest or not "There will always be areas for improvement engaging young people and engaging different communities," he said "In a specific constituency that we may not have done as well in It doesn't mean that we only learn from an election where the outcome wasn't good." Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information, people and ideas, Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information, news and insight around the world The PAP has sought to position its campaign around this issue that presents genuinely existential stakes saddled with immediate economic challenges The PAP has never polled below 60 per cent and falling beneath that would be extremely alarming for the party Elections in Singapore differ markedly from what global observers might expect The PAP has not in its post-independence history had to face as charismatic a politician as Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh who leads the increasingly well-oiled Workers’ Party Yet the traditional pattern of Singaporean elections that features the PAP as its main protagonist looks set to continue as political leanings are still not defined by ideological commitments but instead by how voters position themselves for or against the ruling party The PAP’s ultimate victory – winning a majority of the 97 electable seats in parliament – is a basically foregone conclusion but one question is whether the ruling party will be able to retain its two-thirds supermajority The party looks very likely to do so.  While the number of seats obtained remains the ultimate political currency the overall vote statistic also represents a crucial barometer of the party’s general legitimacy: while its 61 per cent total vote share in the previous election in 2020 would represent a staggering victory for almost any political party around the world it was a negative nine per cent vote swing against the PAP and symbolised major dissatisfaction with the party’s performance The other pressing question is if the party’s vote share will continue to fall – the PAP has never polled below 60 per cent including the then Speaker of the House Tan Chuan Jin What has emerged as foremost in the minds of Singaporean voters in the upcoming election is the common global theme of “cost of living” However, none of this has featured prominently in the electoral discourse. Similarly, the 4G had previously invested political capital into green initiatives, aggregated into their Singapore Green Plan 2030 climate change has conspicuously fallen off the agenda – a disappointing outcome in a moment when the global gains made over the past decade are under threat of rollback The PAP has also resisted tapping into the symbolic tenth anniversary of the death of its founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew likely cognisant of the population’s growing intolerance for exploiting his symbol for political gain These concerns remain the most tangible and immediate for many voters and it may in the end be the public’s confidence – or lack thereof – in the PAP’s ability to address them that influences the vote The Interpreter features in-depth analysis & expert commentary on the latest international events, published daily by the Lowy Institute.