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DAILY NEWS

 

Daily News 4 March 2025 (Tue)

Singapore Economy/News

 

Govt will help S’poreans cope with cost pressures for as long as needed: PM Wong

Singapore – Every bit of support to address the cost of living counts, and the Government will keep doing what is necessary to help Singaporeans for as long as needed, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on March 3.

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/govt-will-help-sporeans-cope-with-cost-pressures-for-as-long-as-needed-pm-wong

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/prime-minister-lawrence-wong-cost-living-gst-increase-budget-debate-4972831

https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/singapore/story20250303-5959481

 

Singapore needs to be realistic but not pessimistic in new world order: Vivian Balakrishnan

Even in a more dangerous and divided world, Singapore need not be pessimistic given its strong position, Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan said in Parliament on Monday (Mar 3). He named three pillars of the Republic’s robustness: economic strength; independence and ability to defend itself; and domestic cohesion.

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/singapore/singapore-needs-be-realistic-not-pessimistic-new-world-order-vivian-balakrishnan

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/spore-must-be-realistic-yet-confident-as-new-world-order-takes-shape-says-vivian-balakrishnan

https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/singapore/story20250304-5960031

 

Singapore’s PMI dips in February amid improving regionwide factory activity

Singapore’s overall factory activity dipped in February, even as manufacturing sentiment across the region improved. The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) dipped slightly to 50.7 in February, a 0.2 point decline from the previous month, indicated data from the Singapore Institute of Purchasing and Materials Management (SIPMM) released on Monday (Mar 3).

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/singapore/economy-policy/singapores-pmi-dips-february-amid-improving-regionwide-factory-activity

https://www.straitstimes.com/business/singapores-manufacturing-indicators-post-back-to-back-deceleration-for-first-time-in-almost-2-years

 

Government review finds no wilful wrongdoing in Acra’s NRIC disclosure, but identifies six ‘shortcomings’

A government review has found no “deliberate wrongdoing” or “wilful inaction” behind the disclosure of full NRIC numbers on the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority’s (Acra) Bizfile portal on Dec 9 last year.

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/singapore/government-review-finds-no-wilful-wrongdoing-acras-nric-disclosure-identifies-six-shortcomings

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/nric-saga-review-shows-no-deliberate-wrongdoing-but-several-shortcomings-by-acra-mddi

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/no-deliberate-wrongdoing-unmasking-nric-numbers-acra-mddi-4970921

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/mddi-acra-nric-numbers-unmasking-financial-consequences-performance-review-staff-4972576

https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/singapore/story20250304-5958547

 

 

Business News

 

Citigroup copy-paste error almost sent US$6 billion to wealth account

Citigroup almost shifted about US$6 billion to a customer’s account by accident after a staffer handling the transfer copied and pasted the account number into a field for the US dollar figure.

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/banking-finance/citigroup-copy-paste-error-almost-sent-us6-billion-wealth-account

https://www.straitstimes.com/business/banking/another-near-miss-citigroup-almost-sent-8-billion-to-wealth-account-in-copy-paste-error

 

Keppel Core Infrastructure Fund acquires 39% stake in the Keppel Merlimau Cogen Plant

Keppel’s flagship open-ended infrastructure fund, Keppel Core Infrastructure Fund (KCIF), has acquired a 39 per cent stake in the Keppel Merlimau Cogen Plant (KMC) from the asset manager. As the fund’s first asset, this will allow KCIF to “anchor its portfolio with an established asset and stable cash flows” as it expands, said Keppel in a statement on Monday (Mar 3).

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/keppel-core-infrastructure-fund-acquires-39-stake-keppel-merlimau-cogen-plant

 

Minority shareholders request UOI to distribute Haw Par shares, unlock shareholder value

Some minority shareholders of United Overseas Insurance (UOI) have proposed two resolutions to be tabled at the insurance provider’s upcoming annual general meeting (AGM), in a bid to further unlock shareholder value.

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/minority-shareholders-request-uoi-distribute-haw-par-shares-unlock-shareholder-value

 

 

Global Economy & Real Estate

 

Trump says Canada, Mexico tariffs to take effect on Tuesday; stocks tumble

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/global/trump-says-canada-mexico-tariffs-take-effect-tuesday-stocks-tumble

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/us-stocks-fall-donald-trump-doubles-down-mexico-canada-tariffs-4974206

 

US pauses military aid to Ukraine, says White House

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/us-pauses-military-aid-ukraine-trump-zelenskyy-4974371

 

US manufacturing stable, price pressures surge ahead of tariffs storm

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/us-manufacturing-stable-price-pressures-surge-ahead-tariffs-storm

 

Australia central bank saw risk of holding tight for too long when cutting rates

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/banking-finance/australia-central-bank-saw-risk-holding-tight-too-long-when-cutting-rates

 

Australia’s January retail sales post small gain on food-related spending

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/australias-january-retail-sales-post-small-gain-food-related-spending

 

Australian pension funds with A$520 billion AUM keen to deploy to real estate

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/australian-pension-funds-520-billion-aum-keen-deploy-real-estate

 

China factory activity picks up but trade uncertainties weigh

https://www.straitstimes.com/business/economy/china-factory-activity-picks-up-but-trade-uncertainties-weigh

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/china-factory-activity-growth-economy-exports-stronger-supply-demand-trump-tariffs-4971471

 

Hong Kong’s Paul Chan on geopolitics and budget for future: ‘we need to grow’

https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3300807/hong-kongs-finance-chief-dismisses-warning-fitch-credit-ratings-agency

 

Western countries would envy Hong Kong’s financial position, experts say

https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3300887/western-countries-would-envy-hong-kongs-financial-position-experts-say

 

Hong Kong January retail sales value falls 3.2%

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/hong-kong-january-retail-sales-value-falls-32-4972761

https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3300854/hong-kong-retail-sales-drop-11th-straight-month-january-down-32

 

Hong Kong developers to sell more flats as buyers return amid tax relief, stock rally

https://www.scmp.com/business/article/3300883/hong-kong-developers-sell-more-flats-buyers-return-amid-tax-relief-stock-rally

 

Hong Kong property: Winland’s 5 asset sales show more distress in store

https://www.scmp.com/property/article/3300732/hong-kong-property-winlands-five-asset-sales-show-more-distress-store

 

Hong Kong developer New World plans to launch ‘Front Tower’ office building in Hangzhou

https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3300845/hong-kong-developer-new-world-plans-launch-front-tower-office-building-hangzhou

 

New Zealand exports outpace imports in positive sign for economy

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/new-zealand-exports-outpace-imports-positive-sign-economy

 

South Korea factory activity shrinks as demand concerns weigh: PMI

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/south-korea-factory-activity-shrinks-demand-concerns-weigh-pmi

 

UK prices to rise as retailers pass on higher employment costs: BRC

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/uk-prices-rise-retailers-pass-higher-employment-costs-brc

 

Bank of England may need to pause rate cuts, ex-policymakers warn

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/banking-finance/bank-england-may-need-pause-rate-cuts-ex-policymakers-warn

 

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