Hai Tien Lo presents artisanal rice dumplings for Dragon Boat Festival 2026

This Dragon Boat Festival, Hai Tien Lo presents a luxurious selection of traditional rice  dumplings handcrafted by Executive Chinese Chef Edden Yap and his culinary team. 

Available until 19 June 2026, the dumplings include Hai Tien Lo’s latest creation, the savoury pork knuckle and peanut rice dumpling (S$22 nett), which is complemented by notes of chestnut and dried mushroom.Meanwhile, the signature black glutinous (pulut hitam) Nyonya rice dumpling (S$22 nett) combines black and white glutinous rice with minced pork belly and winter melon. 

Source: Hai Tien Lo. The Dragon Boat Festival rice dumpling collection for 2026.

Hai Tien Lo's Hokkien rice dumpling with braised pork belly and salted egg yolk (S$18 nett) is a fan favourite. Filled with chestnut, mushroom, and premium glutinous rice, this dumpling promises a rich and satisfying bite. For those seeking a sweeter option, the Teochew rice dumpling (S$15 nett), inspired by the traditional Teochew dessert, orh nee, is filled with yam paste, coconut cream, sweet corn, chestnut, and ginkgo nut.

For something even more special, the Hai Tien Lo Supreme rice dumpling (S$45 nett) is filled with pork belly, 12-head whole abalone, roasted duck, whole dried scallop, Chinese sausage, salted egg yolk, chestnut, yellow mung bean, lotus seed, and glutinous rice.

Two rice dumpling sets have been curated for gifting. The Classic Rice Dumplings Set ($118 nett) includes:

• Two Hokkien rice dumplings with pork and salted egg yolk 
• Two savoury pork knuckle and peanut rice dumplings 
• Two Teochew rice dumplings with yam paste, chestnut, sweet corn, and ginkgo nut 
• A bottle of sweet and sour spicy bean paste sauce

The Premium Rice Dumplings Set (S$158 nett) includes: 

• One Hai Tien Lo Supreme rice dumpling 
• One savoury pork knuckle and peanut rice dumpling 
• Two black glutinous Nyonya rice dumplings 
• Two Teochew rice dumplings with yam paste, chestnut, sweet corn, and ginkgo nut 
• A bottle of Hai Tien Lo signature homemade XO chilli sauce

Details

View the Dragon Boat Festival Rice Dumpling brochure and order form at https://www.panpacific.com/content/dam/pphg-revamp/en/ppsin/pphg2-0/offers/dragon-boat-festival-2026/ppsin_offer_rice_dumpling_brochure_2026.pdf.

To order, please call +65 6826 8240, email specialevents.ppsin@panpacific.com, or visit panpacificsingapore.oddle.me till 19 June 2026. 

Indulge in discounts of up to 25% off until 19 June 2026. A complimentary thermal bag is provided for à la carte orders with a minimum spend of S$80 nett after discount.

Have your order delivered to your doorstep at S$60 nett per location, or opt for self-collection at Pacific Emporium’s deli counter located on Level 1 of Pan Pacific Singapore, from 20 May until 19 June 2026, from 10 am to 8 pm. 

Complimentary island-wide delivery is available with a minimum spending of S$300 nett. 

Hashtags: #PanPacificSingapore, #HaiTienLoSG, #ShareYourMoments

*Prices quoted are in Singapore dollars, and are inclusive of prevailing government taxes.  

Langham Hospitality Group sees Michelin success in Shanghai

Source: Langham Hospitality Group. Steamed grouper
dumpling in matsutake mushroom soup from
T’ang Court at The Langham, Shanghai, Xintiandi.

The Langham Hospitality Group (LHG) has achieved significant recognition in the MICHELIN Guide Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang 2026. 

T’ang Court at The Langham, Shanghai, Xintiandi, has been awarded two MICHELIN stars. This marks a new pinnacle for the fine-dining Cantonese restaurant, which first received a star in 2016.

In parallel, Ming Court at Cordis, Shanghai, Hongqiao, has retained its MICHELIN star for the 7th consecutive year.

“T’ang Court’s elevation to two MICHELIN stars is driven by the shared commitment to excellence from both our culinary and service teams. We are equally proud of Ming Court’s consistent performance in retaining its star for seven years. These achievements have cemented the restaurants’ reputations as leading fine-dining destinations in Shanghai,” LHG CEO Bob van den Oord said.

“Our group now proudly holds a total of seven MICHELIN stars across our portfolio, reinforcing our position as a global leader in Cantonese fine dining.” 

Under the leadership of Executive Chinese Chef Tony Su, T’ang Court at The Langham, Shanghai, Xintiandi honours tradition while embracing modern touches. The restaurant’s serene ambiance, inspired by the Tang dynasty and accented by contemporary art, offers panoramic views of the Xintiandi district.

Chef Su’s craftsmanship is evident in signature seafood, barbecued specialties, and refined dim sum, creating memorable dishes that are rich in both flavour and history. 

At Cordis, Shanghai, Hongqiao, Ming Court continues to be celebrated for its quality and consistency. Led by Executive Chef Paul Qian, the restaurant blends exquisite Cantonese cuisine with a touch of local Shanghainese fare in a refined setting inspired by the glamour of 1920s Shanghai. The restaurant is equally renowned for its exceptional pairings, with an extensive list of wines, sake, rare spirits, single malt whiskies, and Chinese teas.

SATS, Kuwait's Jazeera Airways serve cargo to Kuwait via KSA

Source: Jazeera Airways. An Airbus A320neo aircraft in Jazeera Airways livery. 

SATS, a global provider of air cargo and logistics solutions based in Singapore, is currently supporting cargo operations for Jazeera Airways, Kuwait’s low-cost carrier, at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam (DMM) and Qaisumah–Hafar Al-Batin International Airport (AQI). Both airports are in KSA.

This comes as Jazeera Airways established alternative air-land connections to Kuwait following the closure of the Kuwait International Airport amid the regional conflict. These are in Dammam, where SATS operates a 60,000 sq m cargo facility, and at AQI.

Under this initiative, SATS is serving as the cargo handler for Jazeera’s Airbus A320neo aircraft operating from DMM.

The SATS station in DMM began serving Jazeera’s cargo connection to Kuwait on 26 March 2026, managing all air cargo shipments for the airline. These include general cargo and perishables such as frozen meats, fruit and vegetables. These air cargo shipments are transported overland to Kuwait. Damman’s air-land connection complements the airline’s base at AQI, which began operations on 11 March 2026.

Operating from two airports in KSA has enabled a significant scale-up of Jazeera’s operations, with 27 destinations, over 1,500 flights, 450,000 seats and two million tons of cargo capacity offered across its network through 15 May 2026. This move is part of Jazeera’s cross-border operational model, codenamed Project Baraka, which aims to support Kuwait as a whole, addressing the overwhelming need of the community as well as supply logistics during the ongoing regional situation.

Bob Chi, CEO of SATS APAC Gateway Services said: “The SATS team is honoured to support Project Baraka, alongside Jazeera Airways, with purpose and pride. Through the movement of passengers and essential cargo such as food, pharmaceutical supplies, and critical spare parts, we hope to help maintain and keep vital air cargo connectivity open into Kuwait during this challenging period.

“As the situation in the Middle East adjusts to a new dynamic, we will leverage SATS’ global network across 27 countries to minimise disruptions to customers. SATS will continue working closely with airline and logistics partners to facilitate the safe handling, storage and onward movement of cargo as routes and schedules evolve.”

Barathan Pasupathi, CEO, Jazeera Airways said: “In the face of unprecedented operational challenges, Jazeera Airways has moved quickly to establish a cross-border air-land model that keeps Kuwait connected. Our partnership with SATS, a well renowned and world class organization headquartered in Singapore, is a critical part of this effort, ensuring the uninterrupted flow of essential cargo including food items and other vital supplies. Together, we are not only maintaining connectivity, but reinforcing a lifeline for the community and the wider economy during this period.”

SATS operates three cargo facilities in KSA. These are in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, as well as in Dammam near the Persian Gulf, and in Jeddah along the Red Sea. SATS also has a cargo facility in Oman. These facilities give SATS a presence in countries on the Arabian Peninsula that can serve as alternate gateways to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries affected by airspace closures. SATS stands ready to support the movement of emergency supplies from air hubs in KSA and Oman to GCC.

Food & Hospitality Asia 2026 is the biggest ever

Food & Hospitality Asia (FHA), Asia's premier international food and hospitality event returns this 21-24 April 2026 at the Singapore EXPO. 

Bringing together FHA F&B (food and beverage), FHA HoReCa (hotel, restaurant, and cafe), Prowine Singapore and IndusFood Asia, the unified event organised by Informa Markets is where Asia's F&B professionals and industry leaders can source efficiently from global suppliers, establish valuable connections, and gain insights on the latest market trends. 

Source: Informa. The Singapore Pavilion at FHA 2025.

FHA 2026 will cover 18 segments across the food, beverage, and hospitality industries. The biggest FHA event in a decade, this year's key segments for food and beverage include spotlights on fresh produce, convenience Food, Fine Food, Halal, Seafood, Wine & Spirits. For HoReCa, an expanded coffee, tea, and bar segment joins the lineup alongside Bakery, Pastry and gelato, foodservice technology, and more. 

An estimated 2,750 exhibitors, including 76 group pavilions from over 50 countries and regions, are set to participate, alongside 80,000 attendees from more than 115 countries. Notably, over 38% of exhibitors are first-time participants. Eight in 10 exhibitors are international. 

New at FHA 2026

Debuting at FHA 2026, FutureFWD is a four-day event showcasing next-generation solutions that transform operations and customer experiences across hospitality, foodservice, retail, and technology. The FutureFWD Seminar bridges hospitality, foodservice, retail, and technology, highlighting digital innovation, sustainability, and shifting consumer expectations. Look out for expert keynotes, panels, and networking opportunities to deliver actionable insights and connections for business success. 

Industry leaders are revolutionising food service and hospitality: RestoSuite drives operational excellence, Singtel Stack-EZ, Seito, and Xilnex Holdings streamline efficiency with digital integration, and Rolo Robotics and Koomi boost productivity through automation and advanced point-of-sale technologies. Lunchbox Asia and OpenTable redefine customer engagement, Zennio enhances personalised guest experiences, and Razer Fintech/Fiuu transforms secure payment solutions. 

IndusFood Asia 2026 is also set to launch at FHA 2026. Supported by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, this partnership elevates Asia's food and beverage trade while spotlighting India's vibrant and innovative food and beverage ecosystem. 

The inaugural Young Chefs Grand Prix is a premier competition for culinary talents aged 25 and under, featuring over 300 participants from 10+ countries. This event tests creativity and adaptability through challenges like an ingredient-sourcing relay and live cook-off. A collaboration with the Singapore Chefs Association, Singapore Junior Chefs Club, and endorsed by Worldchefs, it joins popular events like the FHA Bakery Challenge, FHA Dessert Challenge, and Asian Pastry Cup.

The Coffee, Tea and Bar segment now includes bar equipment and solutions, reflecting the growing trend of cafés and restaurants across ASEAN integrating bar-style beverage offerings like craft cocktails, cold brew taps, and mixology-inspired presentations. Featured manufacturers include Cimbali, Bravilor Bonamat, Melitta, Bunn-O-Matic, Mazzer, Nuova Ricambi, Fiamma, Barsetto, Moseener, and Joper, showcasing premium coffee machines, grinders, and roasting equipment. 

Complementing this lineup are leading syrup and beverage brands such as DaVinci Gourmet, Monin, Shott Beverages, 1883 Maison Routin, and Australian Fruit Juice.

Details

Secure complimentary trade tickets to Asia's Leading International F&B Event for a limited time. Visit the official website at www.foodnhotelasia.com to register.

Unapproved AI deployed in Singapore: Qualtrics

Employees in Singapore are experiencing some of the highest levels of organisational change globally, and against this backdrop, they're turning to AI to stay productive, said Qualtrics. Nearly seven in 10 (68%) use it frequently at work, yet only 14% use company-provided tools exclusively, revealing a gap between employee AI success and organisational technology investment in Singapore, according to the Qualtrics 2026 Employee Experience Trends Report.

The research, based on responses from over 1,000 customer-facing employees in Singapore as part of a global study of over 33,000 workers across 24 countries, reveals that 79% of Singapore employees experienced significant organisational change in the past year. This is among the highest rates globally and in response, employees are embracing AI at scale.

Singapore-based findings from the annual study include:

- Almost seven in 10 (69%) of Singapore employees use AI to improve work quality, among the highest rates globally.

- Nearly seven in 10 (68%) use AI frequently at work and 57% feel hopeful or excited about AI (vs 49% globally).

- A relatively small percentage (14%) use strictly company-provided AI tools, which are among the lowest compliance rates studied.

- Fewer than half (42%) experienced new technology adoption in the past year, matching the global rate.

- Singapore customer-facing worker engagement rose 3 points to 62% while global engagement fell 3 points to 65%.

- Nearly three in 10 (29%) Singapore organisations increased listening frequency (requests for feedback), above the 25% global average. When listening decreases, Singapore employee intent to stay drops to 32% (vs 47% globally).  

Singapore employees have turned to AI as a critical tool for maintaining productivity amid organisational change. They report among the highest rates of any market studied for using AI to improve work quality (69% vs 58% globally). Additionally, 41% say AI enables them to accomplish things they previously couldn't do, above the 37% global average, positioning Singapore as a global leader in extracting value from AI at work.

Yet, only 14% of Singapore employees use exclusively company-provided AI tools – among the lowest compliance rates globally. This gap is reflective of just how much Singapore organisations are under-investing in technology, which follows a global trend: under half (42%) of Singapore employees experienced new technologies or tools in the past year, the same as the global metric.

"Singapore employees are navigating exceptional organisational change and they've turned to AI to help them stay productive and adapt," said Steve Bennetts, Head of Growth & Strategy, APAC, Employee Experience at Qualtrics. 

"It’s clear they want to be using AI - the data shows that the majority of employees are already using AI frequently at work, and more than half feel hopeful or excited about it. But they’re bypassing their organisation's policies because the approved tools simply aren't there. This can quickly turn dangerous, with shadow AI introducing serious data security and compliance risks.”

Amid organisational change, customer-facing workers in Singapore showed resilience, with engagement rising 3 points to 62%, bucking the global trend where engagement fell 3 points to 65%. However, employee experience outcomes depend heavily on whether organisations are listening.

Singapore organisations that increased how often they listened to employees saw 86% engagement. But organisations that reduced listening saw engagement fall to just 35%, and intent to stay dropped to 32% (vs 47% globally). Even maintaining the same level of listening isn't sufficient: intent to stay sits at just 54% (vs 64% globally), suggesting Singapore employees have higher expectations for proactive listening investment.

Nearly three in 10 (29%) Singapore organisations increased listening frequency in the past year, above the 25% global average. However, 40% of Singapore employees say they want their leaders to listen more, signalling continued appetite for greater engagement.

“Singapore employees are navigating significant change while organisations underinvest in technology, which makes listening to employee feedback even more critical,” said Bennetts. 

“When companies aren't providing the tools employees need, they must, at a minimum, be hearing employee concerns and acting on them. Our data shows that organisations that prioritise listening see engagement reach 86%. Conversely, those that fail to listen face a major retention crisis, with employee intent to stay dropping to just 32%.”

Singapore employees at organisations that increased listening reported: 

- Eighty-six percent engagement (vs 35% with less listening) 

- Sixty-eight percent exceeding expectations (vs 11% with less listening) 

- Eighty-eight percent inclusion (vs 41% with less listening)

- Eighty-nine percent wellbeing (vs 40% with less listening)  

"The lesson from Singapore is clear: employees want to be productive and embrace new technologies like AI, but they need organisations to provide the right tools and support," said Bennetts. 

"The organisations that invest in approved AI tools and listen to employees during change will capture this innovation strategically. Those that don't will face shadow AI risks while their best people walk out the door." 

Explore

Download the full 2026 Employee Experience Trends Report

*The 2026 Employee Experience Trends Report is based on a survey of 33,831 full-time and part-time employees conducted in September and October 2025. The Singapore sample included 1,056 respondents. Participants globally represented 24 countries across five continents and 30 industries, with organisations ranging from 100 to 50,000+ employees.

2026 Budget focuses on making it easier to do business in Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Financial Secretary, Paul MP Chan, has delivered details of the Hong Kong Budget, themed Driving High-quality, Inclusive Growth with Innovation and Finance.

According to Chan, the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) has attracted over 100 strategic enterprises to establish themselves in Hong Kong. "Among them, 51 have been listed, and 76 set up their global or regional headquarters in Hong Kong, bringing in about HK$60 B of investment and creating around 22,000 jobs," Chan said.

"Invest Hong Kong assisted 560 enterprises in establishing or expanding their operations in Hong Kong last year, which is expected to generate about HK$70 B of investment and create over 10,000 jobs.

"The number of companies in Hong Kong with Mainland or overseas parent companies and the number of startups in Hong Kong both rose by 11%, hitting new highs. As regards talent attraction, the Top Talent Pass Scheme has drawn over 100,000 global elites to Hong Kong. We will continue to proactively attract investments and talents, injecting fresh impetus into Hong Kong’s economy."

Northern Metropolis

Chan also shared an update on the Northern Metropolis (NM) project. "Being a new engine for long-term development, the NM will inject fresh economic impetus into Hong Kong and support our new 'South-North dual engine (finance-I&T)' industry pattern," he said.

"We are accelerating its development through various measures, including adopting a large-scale land-disposal approach in land allocation and expediting the bringing in of enterprises and industries, as well as establishing two dedicated companies for San Tin Technopole and Hung Shui Kiu Industry Park respectively. We plan to introduce a dedicated legislation for the NM in the middle of this year."

Chan further disclosed that the government is exploring ways to further encourage developers which own land in the NM to collaborate with technology or advanced manufacturing enterprises in submitting joint development proposals to the government.

"We expect that, through tripartite co-operation, relevant land and corporate resources will be channelled towards the target industries for priority development in Hong Kong. In doing so, the business sector will have greater participation in the I&T transformation of our economy, thereby expediting the NM development through concerted efforts," he said. 

"We support the government’s continued development of the Northern Metropolis, which represents not only an important driver of Hong Kong’s future economic growth but also a strategic blueprint for industrial development. The Northern Metropolis will inject substantial new economic momentum locally and help shape a ‘South-North dual engine’, combining financial services with innovation and technology. 

"By accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolis and adopting a diversified range of financing strategies, the government is making more effective use of fiscal resources, safeguarding the delivery of major projects, and providing a strong foundation for Hong Kong’s long-term prosperity," said Chi Sum Li, Head of Government & Public Sector, Hong Kong SAR, KPMG China.

The San Tin Technopole will help accelerate the commercialisation of R&D results and provide industrial space for prototyping, pilot and mass production, Chan added. "We will establish a dedicated company this year and seek approval from the LegCo to inject HK$10 billion as initial capital to take forward the development, while leveraging market resources to accelerate the progress," he said.

Albert Wong, PwC Hong Kong Public Sector Consulting Partner said: “We are pleased to see the government’s ongoing commitment to developing the Northern Metropolis and its flexible approach to the development model such as a tripartite co-operation between developers owning land in the NM, technology or advanced manufacturing enterprises and the government. 

"In setting land premiums or rental values, the government should weigh short-term returns against long-term benefits. These include economic growth, innovation, technology capacity building, and local talent development. This balanced perspective should guide evaluations, contract negotiations and subsequent performance monitoring. 

"In addition, the government might consider flexible risk-sharing arrangements with companies establishing offices in the Northern Metropolis. For example, offering reduced rental fees during the initial years in exchange for revenue sharing could encourage investment while managing risks. Such measures would support sustainable growth and strengthen Hong Kong’s innovation ecosystem in the region.” 

Attracting enterprises to Hong Kong

Chan disclosed that since the company re‑domiciliation regime began last year, the Companies Registry has approved 22 re‑domiciliation applications, while about 20 applications more are being processed. "We will step up publicity to attract more enterprises to establish in Hong Kong," he said.

To sweeten the cost of doing business, Chan proposed relaxing the criteria for stamp duty relief with respect to the intra‑group transfer of assets. "This would expand the scope of eligible associated body corporates. We will introduce an amendment bill this year," he said, adding that the new arrangement will apply retrospectively to instruments signed from the day of the Budget announcement. 

Corporate treasury centres (CTCs)

Chan said that Hong Kong is "determined to strengthen the role of Hong Kong as a key base for the establishment of corporate treasury centres and boost the city's appeal as a platform for "bringing in and going global". "To this end, we will announce a series of enhancement measures in the middle of this year, including providing additional tax incentives and flexibility to CTCs and their associated companies, and introducing a pre-approval mechanism," he said.

"The Budget’s measures to strengthen corporate treasury centres and international trading functions are strategically important. As a ‘springboard’ for Chinese Mainland enterprises expanding overseas and for multinational corporations entering the Asian market, Hong Kong’s role continues to grow. We welcome the government’s enhancements to the tax regime for CTCs and the proposed reforms supporting Hong Kong as a regional intellectual property (IP) trading centre, which will attract more companies to establish operations in Hong Kong. 

"The introduction of preferential policy packages to promote industries and investment, as well as the establishment of an Advisory Committee on Tax Policy will also support steady and sustainable economic development," said Stanley Ho, Tax Partner, KPMG China. 

Family offices

Chan said he aims to attract more family offices and funds to Hong Kong by enhancing the tax regime, including expanding the scope of "fund" to cover specific funds-of-one, as well as classifying digital assets, precious metals, specified commodities, etc. as qualifying investments eligible for tax concessions. "We will introduce an amendment bill in the first half of this year, with a view to effecting the implementation from the year of assessment 2025/26," he said. There are some 3,300 single-family offices in Hong Kong currently.

Agnes Wong, PwC China South Private Clients and Family Office Tax Leader said: “We applaud the government’s ongoing efforts to enhance Hong Kong’s family office ecosystem. In particular the proposed expansion of the qualifying investment list under the family office tax concession to cover precious metals and specified commodities is a measure which we have consistently advocated for. To further attract global talent and investors, in addition to regularly reviewing and enhancing talent schemes, the Government should accelerate the granting of Hong Kong residency status to principals of eligible family offices and their families."  

"Enhancing tax concessions for funds and family offices and expanding the definitions of eligible investment categories are fundamental to strengthening Hong Kong’s position as a leading wealth and asset management hub. We welcome the government’s efforts to attract family offices and encourage greater asset diversification. 

 

"At the same time, we suggest accelerating the relevant legislative process and granting stamp duty exemptions for asset transfers by high-net-worth individuals to their family-owned investment holding vehicles. These targeted measures would enhance Hong Kong’s competitiveness among ultra-high-net-worth individuals," said Alice Leung, Tax Partner, KPMG China.

Chi Man Kwan, Group CEO of Raffles Family Office said: "We are encouraged by the measures announced in the HKSAR government’s 2026–27 Budget and firmly believe that the tax regime enhancement for family offices will further consolidate Hong Kong’s position as a leading global wealth management hub. We are pleased to see the government’s clear direction and commitment to advancing the family office sector.

"The latest study released by the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau and Invest Hong Kong demonstrates that these efforts are bearing fruit, with Hong Kong recording significant and rapid growth in the number of single-family offices. In order to cement Hong Kong's position as a leading hub for family offices, it is essential for both single-family offices and multi-family offices to thrive in tandem. We look forward to the relevant policies comprehensively covering both single-family offices and multi-family offices, thereby fostering the sustainable and healthy development of Hong Kong’s overall family office ecosystem."

Hashtags: #BrandHongKong, #HKBudget2026, #HongKong 

*I&T stands for innovation and technology.