Malaysia, Singapore, deepen bilateral trade and investment push

Malaysia and Singapore have reaffirmed their commitment to deepen bilateral trade and investment relations. At the Third Annual Ministerial Dialogue (3rd AMD) held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 1 October 2026, co-chairs YB Datuk Seri Johari bin Abdul Ghani, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Malaysia and HE Gan Kim Yong, Deputy PM and Minister for Energy, Trade and Industry (Trade), Singapore discussed potentially greater collaboration in capacity building, technology and knowledge exchange, as well as stronger institutional linkages among relevant business chambers and industry associations.

Key Digital Economy achievements include the implementation of the Authorised Economic Operator Mutual Recognition Arrangement (AEO MRA); the launch of the cross-border DuitNow-NETS QR payment linkage, alongside PayNow-DuitNow real-time account transfers; as well as technical collaboration on cross-border e-invoicing.

Under the green economy pillar, key achievements include organising two capacity-building sessions for Malaysian and Singapore businesses to exchange knowledge and build sustainability capabilities to enhance export competitiveness; signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on Article 6 collaboration; and an MoU on cooperation in the field of cross-border carbon capture and storage.

With the successful completion of the three-year frameworks of cooperation (FoCs), both countries will carry this momentum forward through sectoral agency-to-agency cooperation, specific bilateral arrangements and relevant regional platforms, including the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) and the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA).

Both sides also agreed to explore opportunities for deeper cooperation, capacity building, and investment across halal-related sectors. Singapore is Malaysia’s second-largest halal export destination, with exports valued at RM7.1 B in 2025 according to the Halal Development Corporation*. 

The Ministers welcomed the progress of the Malaysia-Singapore Third Country Business Development Fund (MSBDF) since its update at the AMD two years ago. MSBDF supports Malaysian and Singapore businesses to tap complementary strengths and jointly explore new market opportunities. Beyond third-country business missions and feasibility studies, MSBDF also supported joint pilots between both countries for the first time – bringing businesses together to implement solutions in sectors of mutual interest. 

Both sides encouraged businesses and industry partners to leverage the MSBDF to develop commercially viable partnerships and undertake joint market-development activities in areas of mutual interest. They also looked forward to identifying further opportunities for Malaysian and Singaporean companies to collaborate and strengthen their competitiveness in regional and global markets.

On the sidelines of the 3rd AMD, the Ministers engaged the Malaysia-Singapore Business Council (MSBC) including the business community on practical measures to support more integrated cross-border business operations, including with the JS-SEZ. Recognising the private sector as an important partner in deepening bilateral economic integration, the Ministers welcomed their feedback and reaffirmed the importance of sustained public-private dialogue and address operational bottlenecks and translate policy cooperation into practical business outcomes.  

The 2nd AMD was hosted by Singapore in 2024. Singapore is Malaysia’s second-largest trading partner and an important source of foreign direct investment (FDI), while Malaysia continues to be Singapore’s third-largest trading partner. In 2025, Malaysia-Singapore total trade reached a record high of US$94.07 B, an increase of 8.5% compared to 2024 according to the Department of Statistics, Malaysia.

*October 1 2026. Presentation at the 3rd Annual Ministerial Dialogue between Malaysia and Singapore.

Leasing available at new Grade A office and retail development in Singapore

- Singapore’s first AI-native building powered by Singtel’s 5G+ connectivity, designed to support AI and intelligent building operations

- Singapore's first end-to-end carbon-neutral Grade A commercial property and first in Asia to receive triple certification*  

- More than 1 million sq ft of office and retail space

- Singtel as anchor tenant and approximately 70% of the development available to other tenants 

Source: Singtel. Leasing begins for One Comcentre, Orchard's first Grade A office and retail development in 20 years.

Leasing has begun for One Comcentre, the redevelopment of Singtel's former headquarters in Somerset, ahead of its targeted completion by end-2028.

One Comcentre is Orchard’s first mixed-use development in 20 years, introducing more than 1 million square feet of Grade A offices, retail, dining, wellness and community spaces, transforming a site that has served as Singtel's headquarters for more than four decades.

With fully sheltered access to Somerset MRT station, it will offer panoramic views of the city and Marina Bay. Six levels of amenities include a 400-seat auditorium, medical suites, gyms and a private members' club, alongside extensive dining and wellness offerings. Together with a one-hectare elevated park, the largest in Central Singapore, these features are designed to support productivity, collaboration and wellbeing. 

The launch comes as Singapore's Grade A office market faces its tightest supply conditions in nearly two decades, with few major developments entering the market. This presents a rare opportunity for businesses seeking a flagship workplace in Orchard Road, which aims to be Singapore's next commercial precinct. 

One Comcentre has been designed with the flexibility to evolve as technologies advance and tenant needs change. As co-developer and anchor tenant, Singtel will integrate its connectivity and AI capabilities into the development from the ground up, creating Singapore’s first AI-native building. 

At its core is intelligent infrastructure powered by Singtel’s advanced 5G+ connectivity. This enables network slicing which acts as a dedicated digital expressway, ensuring high-speed, low-latency and secure communications between building systems, applications and devices. These capabilities provide a future-ready foundation for a growing range of AI applications across building and tenant operations, from intelligent building systems to physical AI such as robotics.

"When Comcentre first opened in 1979, it was aptly described as a beacon to the future. As we redevelop the site, we are creating a new beacon for future generations, setting the benchmark for how technology, sustainability and human-centred design come together to help people and businesses thrive for decades to come. 

"With Singtel as co-developer and anchor tenant, we will ensure that the infrastructure and technology stay ahead of the curve. This uniquely positions One Comcentre to give tenants first access to the latest capabilities without having to build the infrastructure themselves," said Gan Siok Hoon, Singtel’s Group Chief Corporate Officer

Tenants will also be able to tap a differentiated suite of Singtel services tailored to their business needs, including security-as-a-service to help protect employees’ devices from cyber threats and robotics-as-a-service to support workplace tasks.

To bring the vision to life, Singtel is drawing on Lendlease’s urban regeneration and placemaking expertise and decades of experience delivering mixed-use developments to transform the site into a destination beyond a workplace.  

Debra Ma, Director, Development, Singapore, Lendlease, said, "One Comcentre represents an important milestone in the ongoing evolution of Orchard Road and its next chapter as a leading lifestyle destination. It is a reflection of Lendlease’s capabilities in delivering places that are vibrant, connected and future-ready. Together with Singtel, we are proud to create a landmark that advances placemaking, sustainability and innovation, while setting a new benchmark for sustainable urban development in Asia." 

One Comcentre is Singapore's first end-to-end carbon-neutral Grade A commercial property, with sustainability embedded throughout its design, construction and operations. It has been provisionally certified Green Mark Platinum Zero Energy by the Building and Construction Authority under the Green Mark v7 pilot, making it Singapore’s only newly-built large-scale Grade A commercial development to attain the standard to date.

Through advanced building systems, intelligent technologies and a focus on resource efficiency, the development is designed to deliver measurable benefits for tenants, including lower energy consumption, greater operational resilience and healthier workplaces. It has also achieved WELL Platinum precertification from the International WELL Building Institute, recognising its commitment to employee wellbeing, comfort and performance. 

When completed, One Comcentre will comprise twin 20-storey office towers with large, efficient floorplates of approximately 25,000 to 27,000 sq ft. As the anchor tenant, Singtel will occupy 30% of the total space including its retail flagship store, with approximately 70% of the development available to other tenants.

Designed for businesses seeking to attract talent, support new ways of working and advance their sustainability ambitions, One Comcentre integrates workplace innovation, technology and sustainability in a single destination. 

Moray Armstrong, MD, Singapore, CBRE said: “Demand for quality Grade A office space in Singapore remains resilient, particularly for developments that combine location, connectivity and modern workplace capabilities. Even before formally commencing leasing, One Comcentre has attracted strong interest from a broad range of prospective tenants, reflecting pent-up demand for premium, future-ready workplace solutions. 

"Increasingly, we are seeing tenants expand their search beyond the traditional CBD as they look for workplaces that help attract talent, strengthen culture and support long-term growth. Opportunities that bring these attributes together at scale are rare, particularly within Orchard Road. This is what makes One Comcentre distinctive.”

CBD refers to the central business district.

*Achieved Green Mark Platinum Zero Energy, pre-certified International WELL Building Institute’s WELL v2 Core Platinum, and targeting to achieve International Living Future Institute’s (ILFI's) Zero Carbon Certification version 1.0.

Experian: more consumers trusting AI for financial services

Source: Experian landing page. Three quarters of
respondents would be comfortable
using AI related to a trusted financial provider.

Consumers are ready to take the next step in their relationship with AI, according to AI in Risk: The Rise of Agentic Commerce*, new research from data and technology company Experian.

Conducted by Forrester Consulting, the study of 6,247 credit-active consumers across 13 EMEA and Asia Pacific markets found that more than half (54%; 49% in Singapore) of respondents are comfortable with AI agents applying for credit on their behalf. 

Experian said the findings point to the next stage in the evolution of financial services, where consumers are becoming comfortable allowing AI to move beyond providing information to supporting parts of the lending journey, including comparing lenders, checking eligibility, completing applications and securely submitting authorised documents.

"Consumers are already changing the way they engage with financial services," said Mariana Pinheiro, CEO of Experian EMEA & Asia Pacific. 

"They are not just experimenting with AI anymore; they are beginning to trust it with more meaningful parts of their financial lives. Our research shows that 82% of the surveyed respondents already trust LLMs to compare loans across providers. For banks and lenders, the question is no longer whether AI will influence the next step of that journey, but how to prepare for it while continuing to earn and protect consumer trust. 

"What began as using LLMs to better understand financial products is already moving towards asking AI agents to help them navigate complex financial journeys.” 

Consumers are embracing AI agents because they see practical value, not simply because the technology is new, Experian noted. The research found that 85% of the survey respondents believe AI agents could help them compare more options than they could manually, while 84% say AI could help them save money by finding better prices or rates. 

A further 83% believe AI agents could help them avoid missing important details such as hidden fees or contract terms, while 81% believe AI could reduce decision fatigue by handling research and routine tasks on their behalf.

The findings suggest consumers are looking for AI that simplifies complex financial decisions, saves time and helps them make more informed choices. The research also shows that consumers have different comfort levels when it comes to how much autonomy they would give an AI agent, Experian disclosed. 

For credit applications, many still want to retain oversight, while others are open to greater delegation: 23% would allow an agent to act when certain pre-agreed rules are met, while 5% would be comfortable giving it full autonomy. 

Research highlights:

- Over half (54%) of consumers are comfortable with AI agents applying for credit on their behalf. 

- A little over than eight in 10 (82%) trust AI to compare loans across providers. 

- Over eight in 10 (85%) also believe AI agents could help compare more options than they could manually. 

- More than eight in 10 (84%) believe AI agents could help them find better prices or rates. 

- Three quarters would feel more comfortable using an LLM connected to a financial institution they already trust.

In Singapore, consumers are embracing AI agents because they see practical value, not simply because the
technology is new, Experian observed. However, comfort declines the further a task moves from research into commitment. Over a third (37%) of Singapore consumers would grant an AI agent no autonomy at all when applying for a loan or credit card; 36% would allow it to act only after their approval, and 27% would allow conditional or full autonomy.

More than three-quarters (77%) of Singapore respondents said they would feel more comfortable using AI
connected to a financial institution they already trust, highlighting the opportunity for banks and lenders to build AI experiences within trusted customer relationships rather than treating AI as a standalone service.
At the same time, 82% of Singapore consumers say AI agent manipulation - through fake offers or
impersonation by cybercriminals - is their top concern, the highest level of concern recorded for this risk
across the study's 13 markets. 

This mirrors a wider pattern in Singapore, where scams remain a national concern despite recent declines. Scam losses fell 17.9% year-on-year to around S$410.6 M in the first half of 2026, from approximately S$500.2 M in the same period a year earlier, according to Singapore Police Force figures reported by local media. 

E-commerce and phishing scams remain the most common case types, underlining why identity verification and fraud prevention will be critical as AI-assisted financial journeys take hold.

The research also lands against a backdrop of rising household borrowing. Singapore's total household liabilities reached S$415 B in the Q126, up 8.2% year-on-year - the fastest pace of growth in nearly five years - while personal loans rose 14.6% over the same period, according to Singapore Department of Statistics data reported by local media. 

As more consumers turn to credit - and increasingly compare and apply using AI - the need for secure, trusted AI-assisted journeys becomes more pressing, Experian observed. 

Kabir Khanna, GM, Experian Credit Services Singapore, said: “The opportunity is not simply to
make financial services faster with AI, but to make it possible for AI agents to act safely on a consumer’s
behalf. That requires a new layer of trust: being able to establish who the agent represents, what the
consumer has authorised it to do and whether the interaction can be trusted. Getting that foundation right will be critical to unlocking agentic finance at scale.” 

*Experian commissioned Forrester Consulting in July 2026 to survey 6,247 credit-active digitally literate consumers across Australia, China, Denmark, Germany, India, Italy, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, South Africa, Spain and Turkey. Respondents represented a balanced mix of generations and employment groups and were selected based on recent experience using digital financial services. 

**LLM stands for large language model. 

Chocolate-themed Buffet at Edge, Pan Pacific Singapore

Source: Pan Pacific Singapore. Poster for The
Cocoa Connection at Edge,
available the whole of October
and into early November.

From delightful savoury pairings to intricate desserts, The Cocoa Connection invites diners to experience chocolate beyond the familiar, brought to life through the distinct culinary perspectives of three chefs and on an ingredient loved by many.

From 1 October to 8 November 2026, Edge at Pan Pacific Singapore presents The Cocoa Connection, a chocolate-themed buffet in partnership with premier gourmet food supplier, Classic Fine Foods. 

For this limited-time dinner experience, Executive Chef Andy Oh and Executive Pastry Chef Edina Si join forces with Classic Fine Foods’ Executive Chef José Luis Del Amo, bringing together three distinct culinary perspectives united by a shared love for chocolate.

Drawing on their diverse culinary backgrounds from around the world, the chefs explore chocolate as a common language, interpreting it through the flavours and techniques that have shaped their respective journeys. The result is a creative culinary exchange that transcends borders, revealing exciting expressions of chocolate across both sweet and savoury creations that are just as decadent.

At the helm of Pan Pacific Singapore’s culinary team, Executive Chef Oh brings more than 36 years of expertise in Pan Asian cuisine, complemented by extensive experience in international and Western culinary arts. He has built a career around bringing different flavours and techniques together, lending itself naturally to the collaboration, where chocolate becomes a canvas for exploring unexpected savoury applications and flavours across cultures.

Joining him is Executive Pastry Chef Si, whose culinary journey has taken her from Singapore to Paris, where she trained in cuisine and pastry at the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu from age 16. Her craft was further shaped by Japanese pastry techniques under Chef Yamashita Masataka and her experiences in France at Hôtel de Crillon and Fauchon. Influenced by her love of travel and a passion for pairing local ingredients with global flavours, Chef Si approaches chocolate through a multicultural lens, balancing classical pastry foundations with flavours closer to home.

Completing the trio is Chef Del Amo, Executive Chef of Classic Fine Foods Singapore, whose two-decade culinary journey began in a Spanish patisserie led by Miquel Comas. He went on to work at some of the world’s most acclaimed kitchens, including three-Michelin-starred El Celler de Can Roca in Spain and two-Michelin-starred Dinner by Heston Blumenthal in London, where he built a strong foundation in classical pastry techniques.

His affinity for chocolate, however, began much earlier. At 16, while working part-time in a pastry shop in Spain, one of his favourite rituals was dipping a freshly-baked croissant into the melted chocolate prepared for the day’s production. What began as a simple enjoyment has since evolved, shaping his experimental approach to the possibilities of chocolate. 

Through this collaboration, Chef Del Amo brings his technical expertise and creative instinct to the table, exploring new expressions of chocolate alongside Chef Oh and Chef Si. The savoury selection sees chocolate venture beyond convention through a series of unexpected pairings. Meat dishes find an intriguing counterpoint in bittersweet cocoa, from the oven-roasted leg of lamb with cocoa spice rub to the Braised Pork Rib with Dark cocoa and coffee glaze. Dark chocolate also finds its way into pasta, where the truffle and wild mushroom ragout with 75% dark chocolate Shavings pairs rich chocolate with the earthy depth of truffle and mushroom.

The exploration extends to white chocolate with the grilled Japanese corn on the cob with white chocolate miso fondue, where its creamy sweetness and the umami of miso come into perfect balance. The versatility of chocolate also comes through in texture, where the spinach ricotta crêpe au gratin with cocoa crisps uses chocolate as a crisp accent, adding another dimension to the dish.

And specially on weekends from Fridays to Sundays, the Chef’s Signature Creation, charcoal-grilled chocolate-fed Wagyu beef, is a highlight not to be missed. Distinguished by its buttery marbling and subtle sweetness from a unique chocolate-enriched diet, the Wagyu beef is grilled over charcoal for a deep and smoky char, with caramelised onion and dark chocolate jus rounding out its rich, savoury flavours.

For those with a sweet tooth, chocolate soufflé is freshly-made at a live station and served warm with whipped cream, berry compote and vanilla sauce. Look out for Chef Del Amo's two speciality desserts: the chocolate vanilla caramel cake with its subtle smokiness cutting through the sweeter notes, and the gianduja yuzu petit Four, which balances rich hazelnut chocolate with bright citrus.

Exclusively on 2 October 2026, Chef Del Amo takes over the live station with a special creation that brings together multiple textures of chocolate in a single dessert, showcasing the ingredient in all its versatility.

Chef Si also explores different expressions of chocolate through various intensities, textures, and flavour pairings. Darker profiles come through in the chocolate tart with kumquat, where premium couverture chocolate Kacinkoa (85%) is balanced by the tartness of the fruit, along with the french chocolate mousse, crafted with another premium couverture chocolate, Mahoe (76%). 

For a more decadent option, Edge’s signature hazelnut royaltine pairs creamy Mahoe milk chocolate (43%) with a satisfying hazelnut crunch. At the other end of the spectrum, the cocoa fruit jelly with soursop is light and refreshing, with a tropical tang.

Details

The Cocoa Connection at Edge

1 October to 8 November 2026, available daily.
Weekday Dinner | Mondays to Thursdays, from 6 pm to 10 pm
S$108++ per adult 

Weekend Dinner | Fridays to Sundays, from 6 pm to 10 pm
S$118++ per adult
 

All buffet prices are inclusive of free-flow soft drinks.

View the menu at https://www.menu-ppsin.panpacific.com/the-cocoa-connection-2026

For reservations, call +65 6826 8240 or email dining.ppsin@panpacific.com

Hashtags: #PanPacificSingapore, #EdgeSG, #ShareYourMoments

*Prices quoted are in Singapore dollars, and are subject to service charge and prevailing government taxes.

Green Science Alliance develops safer vegan nail polish

Green Science Alliance has made a plant-based and biomass-derived gel nail polish, formulated without common nail polish ingredients like TPO, HEMA and TMPTA. Current plant and biomass components range from 22% to 25%. 

While several TPO- and HEMA-free gel nail products are already on the market, the company said that gel nail products that are free of both TPO and HEMA while also being plant-based or bio-derived are extremely rare. 

Green Science Alliance explained that: 

- TPO stands for diphenyl (2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) phosphine oxide, which is a photopolymerisation initiator necessary for curing gel nails with an LED/UV light. While TPO is not subject to cosmetic ingredient restrictions in Japan, its marketing in Europe has been banned due to concerns over its link to reproductive toxicity based on animal testing.

- HEMA, short for 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, is a primary resin ingredient in gel nail polishes that cure under LED/UV lights. However, skin contact with uncured HEMA can easily cause irritation and allergic reactions, potentially leading to symptoms such as itching, redness, and blisters.

- TMPTA stands for trimethylolpropane triacrylate, which is also a main resin component of gel nails that cures under LED/UV lights. While TMPTA is not subject to cosmetic ingredient restrictions in Japan, it has been reclassified as a category 2 carcinogen under Europe's revised CLP Regulation. Furthermore, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies it as a Group 2B substance, suggesting potential carcinogenicity. 

Gel nails that are free of TPO and HEMA can reduce the risk of developing allergies, making them relatively safe to use even for individuals with sensitive skin or those who do their own nails. 

Developers Dr Hirotoshi Umemoto and Dr Ryohei Mori from Green Science Alliance aim to further increase the biomass content of the new nail polish in future. Dr Mori is CEO of the company. 

 

Source: Green Science Alliance. Plant bio-based biodegradable fake nails designed with plant bio-based TPO, HEMA-free gel nail polish.

 
According to Green Science Alliance, plastics and resins made from plants have lower CO2 emissions than petroleum-based plastics.

Green Science Alliance have dedicated themselves to the R&D of leading-edge environmental and energy technologies, driving progress toward decarbonisation, carbon neutrality, and the realisation of a sustainable society. With the goal of replacing all petroleum-based materials and products with plant- and biomass-derived alternatives, they have been developing materials derived from non-petroleum, plant and biomass sources. 

These include biodegradeable resins, biodegradeable plastics, coating materials, paints, glue, plasticiser, lubricant, and 3D-printed products such as furniture, nanocellulose, as well as biochar.

Details

Get the nail polish at https://www.nano-sakura-shop.com/

Reimagining Parkinson’s care

- Hayley Nea Iaduray has been named the Malaysia National Winner of the James Dyson Award 2026.

- Iaduray won for a wearable for Parkinson's patients.

- The invention will progress to the international stage of the James Dyson Award. The global winners, selected by Sir James Dyson will each receive RM162,999, while national winners are awarded RM27,160 each.

Hayley Nea Iaduray, a 24-year old engineering student from Monash University Malaysia, is the Malaysia National Winner of the James Dyson Award 2026 for her invention, ZeMor.

ZeMor is a tuneable, battery-free wearable device designed to help reduce hand tremors associated with Parkinson’s disease. Inspired by the engineering systems used to stabilise skyscrapers during earthquakes and typhoons, ZeMor applies the same principle on a miniature scale to help reduce involuntary hand tremors.

Parkinson's disease is one of the fastest-growing neurological disorders worldwide, affecting more than twice as many people today compared to 25 years ago¹,². Global researchers projected that the number of people living with Parkinson's could rise to 25.2 million by 2050, driven largely by ageing populations³.

1 World Health Organization (WHO), Parkinson Disease (2023)  

2 World Health Organization (WHO), Launch of Parkinson Disease Technical Brief (2022) 

3 BMJ, Projections for prevalence of Parkinson's disease and its driving factors in 195 countries and territories to 2050 (2025)