Singtel Group celebrates National Day with new film

Source: Singtel YouTube channel. Beyond Connection is Singtel's National Day film for 2026. 

Singtel Group has launched its 2026 National Day film, Beyond Connection. The film is a tribute to the spirit of progress that has shaped Singapore over 61 years, charting the country's journey from a resource-poor island in 1965 to today’s global economic success story before looking ahead to how digital infrastructure and AI will support Singapore's next lap as a Smart Nation and regional AI hub.

Beyond Connection also tells the story of Singtel's own evolution and the role it has played in nation building.

Yuen Kuan Moon, Group CEO, Singtel, said: “The story of Singapore has always been one of looking beyond the horizon and building for the future. Every generation has played a part in building a stronger foundation for the next and this includes investing in the infrastructure and capabilities that have helped us dream bigger. 

"As AI reshapes economies and societies, we are entering another defining chapter. As national telco to today's digital infrastructure and services group, we feel privileged that we can continue playing a part in driving Singapore's Smart Nation ambitions and continued success by building the digital backbone that will help Singapore seize new opportunities in the AI era."

The film blends archival footage with present-day scenes to bring Singapore’s development and progress to life, capturing how Singtel’s technology and services played a role in transforming Singapore’s airport and port, healthcare and manufacturing sectors. 

Shots of Singtel's National Day Parade marching contingents, past and present, highlight the company’s longstanding role in supporting this journey. True to the spirit of AI, selected historical images were enhanced through AI-assisted production tools to improve their visual quality and introduce subtle movement while respecting their authenticity and original context.

Accelerating industry transformation

Beyond Connection illustrates how Singtel’s investments in digital infrastructure are unleashing fresh innovation in Singapore’s world-class healthcare sector while breathing new life into old industries. 

Contributing to community

The film also highlights Singtel's longstanding commitment to empowering every generation. Through the Singtel Touching Lives Fund, Singtel has supported children and youth with special needs for more than three decades. It has also lent support for the visual and performing arts through the Singtel Waterfront Theatre at the Esplanade and the Singtel Special Exhibition Gallery at National Gallery Singapore. It continues championing Singapore’s national athletes through a 15-year partnership with the Singapore National Olympic Council.

Lian Pek, VP, Group Corporate Affairs & Investor Relations, Singtel said: “Dare I say this is not our typical National Day celebration. With the world on the cusp of an AI-driven revolution, it is even more critical that a company with our DNA helps Singapore make its way in the brave new world while leaving no one behind. We know Singaporeans’ determination and resilience will always prevail and we celebrate that in the film while also reaffirming our support for the nation through innovation, partnerships and community.”

Explore 

Beyond Connection can be viewed on Singtel’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WErIVWHn91g

It will also air on screens at the National Day Parade, Singtel TV and various social media channels. 

Singapore launches new workplace safety and health resources

● Singapore enters next phase of efforts to support safer and longer working lives

● New initiatives aim to strengthen workplace safety and health (WSH) outcomes 

● AI-enabled SAGE platform will help WSH professionals access official guidance faster and strengthen risk management decisions

New national workplace safety and health initiatives have been unveiled at the Singapore Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Conference 2026. 

Source: WSH Council. From left: Tan Hee Teck, President, SNEF; Abu Bakar Bin Mohd Nor, Chairman, WSH Council; Singapore Minister of State for Manpower, Dinesh Vasu Dash; and Ngien Hoon Ping, Group CEO, SMRT Corporation.

Held at Marina Bay Sands, the 9th edition of the biennial conference focused on how Singapore’s WSH ecosystem can better anticipate emerging risks, strengthen shared ownership and translate safety insights into practical action across workplaces. Over 1,500 policymakers, business leaders, WSH professionals and industry practitioners attended activities under the theme Insight to Impact: Collective Effort for Stronger WSH Outcomes.

Singapore Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash launched the Safety Advisory and Guidance Engine (SAGE), an AI-enabled knowledge and decision-support tool developed by the Workplace Safety and Health Council in partnership with the Singapore Institution of Safety Officers. 

Designed for WSH professionals, SAGE helps users retrieve relevant information, identify workplace hazards and apply best-practice control measures based on Singapore’s WSH framework. SAGE provides guided task categories that help users navigate common WSH activities. This lowers the barrier to using AI for WSH tasks, making the platform easier to use regardless of the user's familiarity with AI. 

By making authoritative guidance easier to access, the tool aims to support faster, more consistent decision-making in safety-critical environments while complementing the experience and professional judgement of WSH practitioners.  

 The move comes as Singapore enters the next phase of its WSH journey. According to the Workplace Safety and Health Report 2025 released by the Singapore Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in March 2026, two all-time lows were achieved in the country. 

The workplace fatal injury rate fell to a record low of 0.96 per 100,000 workers in 2025, while major injury rates across most workplace settings declined to 15.7 per 100,000 workers.* However, reported workplace injuries rose by 2.5%, underscoring the need for continued vigilance even as Singapore remains among the safest working environments globally. 

Mr Dinesh also unveiled the Alliance for Action on Safety and Health for Employment Longevity (AfA-SHEL), which supports safer, healthier and longer working lives. The initiative will look at how workers can be better supported to remain in, or return safely to, employment after injury or illness. 

He said: “Singapore’s workplace safety and health progress is not a static achievement, but a continuous national effort. As we advance the WSH 2028 agenda, our focus must be on sustaining the progress we have made, strengthening support for workers, employers and WSH practitioners, and ensuring that our
WSH system remains responsive to the needs of a changing economy. By working together, we
can continue to raise WSH standards and build safer, healthier and more resilient workplaces.”

The AfA-SHEL was introduced by the minister during the MOM's Committee of Supply Debate in March 2026. Jointly led by MOM, the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF), the AfA brings together employers, workers, relevant government agencies, healthcare institutions, solution providers and other stakeholders to co-create practical, industry-led solutions to strengthen WSH and support employment longevity.

The AfA will focus on developing practical solutions in three areas: 

• Injury prevention for the general workforce, beyond high-risk workplaces

• Supporting returning to work after a serious injury or health episode

• Workplace adaption and job redesign to make work tasks, processes and environments safer and more suitable for Singapore's workforce, which comprises people with varied physical and health needs

The WSH Council further introduced a new WhatsApp channel to provide employers, workers and WSH practitioners with mobile-first access to events, alerts, advisories and resources. This complements the Council’s existing WSH Bulletin, social media channels and website.

Abu Bakar Bin Mohd Nor, Chairman of the WSH Council, said the next phase of WSH progress will require stronger shared ownership across the ecosystem. “As workplace risks become more complex, the next phase of WSH progress cannot rest on any one party alone. Workforce ageing, more unpredictable weather patterns, and new technologies are changing the risks that employers, workers, and WSH professionals have to manage," he said. 

"That means we must keep adapting our systems, tools and mindsets, while ensuring every part of the ecosystem plays its role in anticipating risks earlier, designing for safety from the outset, and embedding WSH practices on the ground. This shared ownership will be critical as we continue strengthening Singapore’s WSH culture.” 

The Top Executive WSH Programme (TEWP) has also been enhanced. From 1 September 2026, the TEWP will place greater emphasis on executive accountability, governance and due diligence. The enhanced programme was redesigned by the Institute of Adult Learning and Singapore University of Social Sciences in consultation with MOM, the WSH Council, training providers and the Singapore Institute of Directors. 

New enhancements include:

● Special emphasis on governance and executive leadership
● Targeted learning designed for C-suite leaders and board directors
● More examples of scenario-based and application-focused learning
● Greater focus on the CORE Framework and the 17 Approved Code of Practice measures
● Enhanced emphasis on evidence of leadership commitment and due diligence

The conference concluded with a call for organisations to strengthen shared responsibility, practical innovation and adopt a people-centred approach to workplace safety and health. 

Details

AfA-SHEL 

MOM is inviting Singapore-registered organisations to participate in the AfA through an open call ending 31 August 2026. Selected organisations will participate in an innovation programme to develop their prototypes over approximately 14 months, beginning in August 2026. Participants will receive funding support, access to WSH and industry experts, and consultancy support from an assigned account manager. 

Applications will be evaluated by the AfA Secretariat, comprising MOM, NTUC, SNEF, and the WSH Council. Around 30 organisations will be selected, with balanced representation across the AfA's three focus areas. 

Interested organisations can submit their proposals via https://go.gov.sg/afashel2026opencall by 31 August 2026. 

SAGE

Beta testing for SAGE begins in August 2026, with the full public launch slated for January 2027. The tool will be available in multiple languages – English, Malay, Mandarin, Tamil, Bengali, Hindi and Burmese.

WhatsApp 

Subscribe at https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VarATmI4yltLGpon1z0j 

*Workplace Safety and Health Report 2025, Minister of Manpower. Source: https://www.mom.gov.sg/-/media/mom/documents/safety-health/reports-stats/wsh-national-statistics/wsh-national-stats-2025.pdf 

Cvent Accelerate Singapore 2026 returns for its 5th edition

Cvent Accelerate Singapore 2026, the 5th edition of Cvent's flagship Asia Pacific conference for event planners, marketers and hospitality professionals, will take place this August. 

The conference brings professionals from the events, hospitality and marketing industry to explore how AI, data and event-led growth (ELG) are transforming business events from operational exercises into measurable growth engines. 

"Cvent Accelerate Singapore has been the region's premier forum for event, hospitality and marketing professionals for the past four years," said Will Kataria, Country Head & Senior Director, Asia Pacific, Cvent. 

"The fifth edition is particularly significant as it's the first in Asia Pacific since our global brand transformation, and it arrives at a moment when AI is fundamentally changing what events can do. We're bringing together the industry's most forward-thinking leaders to share what's working, explore what's possible and push the conversation forward." 

The programme will feature keynote presentations, executive panel discussions, breakout sessions, live technology demonstrations and networking opportunities covering topics such as AI innovation and the future of event technology, event ROI and business impact, strategic planning in the AI era, and sustainable & high-impact event experiences. Key sessions include:

- Decoding the Shift: B2B Event Trends & The Path Forward in the AI Age 

- The Future of Event Tech: The Next Act 

- AI-Enhanced RFP to ROI: How Planners, Marketers, and Hoteliers Win Together Event 

- Pipeline Anxiety: Solving the Fears That Keep Marketers Up at Night 

- Relevance Redefined: How AI is Reinventing Venue Discovery for Planners 

Attendees will also have the opportunity to experience CventIQ, Cvent's AI capabilities embedded across its platform, and learn how AI is being applied across the event lifecycle to support planning, attendee engagement, content generation and post-event insights. 

This is the first Cvent Accelerate in the Asia Pacific following the unveiling of Cvent's new global brand identity in mid-July. Cvent's new brand promise is built around the Presence Premium - that a room full of real people has great value in an AI-first world. The company also announced at the brand identity launch that it will invest more than US$1 B in technology, AI, and product innovation, the largest investment of its kind in company history.  

Confidence among APAC accountants is up in Q2

- Confidence in Asia Pacific is now meaningfully above average after a sharp Q2 recovery, but it remains weak in North America and Western Europe.

- Economic pressures returned as the top risk priority among accountants in Q2 (22%), ahead of geopolitical instability (20%) and cybersecurity (14%).

Seven in 10 (72%) respondents expect inflation in their country to increase over the next three months.

Confidence among Asia-Pacific accountants and finance professionals rebounded sharply in Q226, according to the latest ACCA and IMA Global Economic Conditions Survey (GECS), reversing a Q1 decline and pushing the region's confidence and New Orders indices above their historical averages. This is a stronger recovery than seen in North America and Western Europe, where confidence remains weak by historical standards.

The fallout from the Middle East conflict continues to impact the results the survey, which was conducted between 3 and 17 June, before the renewed fighting and resumption of the US naval blockade.

While the region is very exposed to developments in the Middle East, hopes of a potential resolution of the conflict and the relative resilience of the global economy have likely been factors boosting sentiment, as well as the global AI boom, of which the region’s exporters are major beneficiaries.

Over three-quarters of accountants globally reported increased operating costs in Q2 – above the previous record set in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – amid soaring commodity prices and supply chain disruptions resulting from the conflict. Over eight in 10 (83%) CFOs globally experienced increased costs, following a record-breaking rise of over 20 percentage points from Q1. This is close to series peaks recorded in 2022 and 2023.

Cost pressures also rose in the Asia-Pacific region, with the proportion of respondents reporting increased costs jumping nine percentage points to 66% in Q2, well above the survey's historical average. However, this remains notably less severe than in Western Europe (83%) and North America (74%), where cost pressures are close to record highs.

Despite soaring costs, there was some recovery in confidence among accountants globally in Q2, from what was close to a record low in Q1. While they remain quite downbeat by historical standards, the improvement likely reflects the relative resilience of the global economy and signs at the time of the survey of movement towards a potential resolution of the conflict, which may have reduced fears of worst-case scenarios.

That said, globally declines in the Global New Orders, Capital Expenditure and Employment indices point to some slowing in global growth, likely reflecting headwinds from increased private sector caution, rising inflation, and tighter-than-expected monetary policy, although they do not appear to be signalling a major economic slowdown.

Economic pressures returned as accountants' top risk priority in Q226 (22%), ahead of geopolitical instability (20%) and cybersecurity (14%). Respondents described how understanding today's risk landscape extends beyond traditional economic cycle management, pointing to the converging effects of prolonged wars, rising cybercrime and policy uncertainty. AI featured prominently, with comments focusing on sustainable value, cyber resilience and accountability.

Survey respondents in Singapore echoed these concerns. A Singapore CFO in professional services said: "The inability of economic analysts to forecast the future, and the reaction time of the government when dealing with unforeseen economic shocks are underestimated economic risks."

Another Singapore respondent added: "Increasing operating costs will result in many small businesses going out of business and demand for professional services will accordingly continue to decline."

Alain Mulder, Senior Director, Europe Operations & Global Special Projects at IMA said: "The AI boom is providing major support to the global economy and financial markets, but developments in the Middle East over coming months will be crucial. If progress can be made in resolving the conflict, that would clearly be supportive for global growth as we progress through the second half of 2026. But downside risks would quickly build if there were a return to major hostilities and surge in energy prices."

Jonathan Ashworth, Chief Economist, ACCA said: "Sharply rising costs were unsurprisingly a major issue for firms in Q2. If they increasingly try to pass these on to the consumer, this would significantly raise the risk of policy tightening by the world’s major central banks. That said, policymakers will be hoping for favourable developments on the diplomatic front, and a return of oil prices to around pre-crisis levels, potentially allowing them to sit on their hands for the rest of 2026."

Ashworth concluded: "Despite some improvement in confidence, accountants globally remain very cautious, likely in part reflecting the uncertain and unpredictable operating environment which has become the 'new normal' in recent years."

Details

Read the GECS Q2 2026 report at https://www.accaglobal.com/gb/en/professional-insights/global-economics/gecs-q2-2026.html

Sustainable Thai flavours celebrated in four-hands dinner at Dining on the Rocks

This August, Executive Chef Kien Wagner of Six Senses Samui and Chef Gongpitak (Im) Boontanaveerapat, Chef De Cuisine from Phuket's Jampa restaurant celebrate sustainable Thai flavours together at Dining on the Rocks, Six Senses Samui. Both chefs believe the best ingredients do not need much persuasion.

For two evenings only - August 13 and 15, 2026 - Executive Chef Wagner welcomes Chef Im for an exclusive four-hands dinner that highlights Thailand's produce, the people who grow it, and the stories that begin long before they reach the plate.

While Samui and Phuket sit just a few hours apart, each island offers its own distinct landscape, seasons and ingredients. This collaboration brings them together in a menu shaped by both places, combining produce harvested from Six Senses Samui's Farm on the Hill with ingredients sourced through Jampa's close network of regenerative farmers, artisans and fishermen.

Guests can expect a tasting menu that is bold in flavour yet restrained in approach, including seafood caught in southern waters, vegetables picked at their peak, as well as fruits, herbs and native ingredients presented with precision.

For Chef Kien, the dinner is a natural extension of the philosophy that guides the kitchens at Six Senses Samui. Chef Im has earned recognition at Jampa for redefining what sustainable dining can look like in Thailand. Awarded a Michelin Green Star, the restaurant is known for its wood-fired kitchen, minimal-waste philosophy and deep commitment to regenerative agriculture. These values will travel to Samui for this collaboration.

This six-course four-hands dinner will be served in two seatings each evening. As seating is limited, advance reservations are strongly recommended.

Details

For more information or to make a reservation, call +66 7724 5678 or email reservations-samui@sixsenses.com

86% of APAC consumers have penalised brands for poor service: Genesys

Genesys, a global cloud provider in AI-powered experience orchestration, has found that customer experience (CX) has become an increasingly decisive factor in consumer loyalty and spending decisions across the Asia-Pacific region (APAC).

Source: Genesys landing page. Consumers compare businesses against their best experiences.

The 5th edition of Genesys' State of Customer Experience report has revealed that half of APAC consumers say they would rather do anything else than contact customer service, with the sentiment rising sharply in Singapore (63%) – the highest among APAC markets covered in the research.

Poor service is also hitting the bottom line. Across APAC, 86% of consumers say poor service has caused them to spend less or stop doing business with a brand altogether. The impact is especially pronounced in markets such as the Philippines and Thailand, where the figure rises to 91%, while Japan stands out as a lower outlier at 67%.

The research found consumers across APAC are increasingly open to AI when it delivers better outcomes. Eighty-four percent expect AI to improve the quality and speed of customer service, while 82% believe it will improve personalisation - both above the global averages.

Consumers increasingly care more about outcomes than whether AI or a person provides the service, Genesys found. Across APAC, 80% do not particularly care whether their issue is solved by a person or AI, as long as it is solved quickly and completely. At the same time, 93% value efficient customer service as much as being treated empathetically, reinforcing the need to orchestrate AI and human agents to deliver the right support at the right moment. 

As customer expectations rise and patience for poor experiences declines, organisations face growing pressure to use AI to strengthen customer relationships and improve service outcomes at scale. Meeting those expectations remains a challenge for many organisations. 

While 96% of APAC consumers expect information to be remembered across channels, nearly half (46%) of organisations do not automatically pass information between virtual and human agents. At the same time, managing data for AI, AI readiness and keeping pace with AI innovation rank among the top challenges for CX leaders, hindering efforts to connect customer data, channels and interactions - leading to customer frustration and eroded loyalty. 

"Across APAC, consumers are increasingly confident in AI's ability to improve customer experiences. But they also expect organisations to remember context, connect every interaction and resolve issues with minimal effort," said Albert Nel, Senior VP and Regional Sales Leader for Genesys Asia Pacific. 

"As agentic AI becomes part of everyday customer engagement, organisations need to use it to reduce customer effort –not just automate interactions. The businesses that succeed will be those that connect AI, people and customer context to deliver faster resolutions and more seamless experiences." 

Other highlights include: 

Customer expectations have never been higher 

Nine in 10 (91%) of APAC consumers want every organisation to deliver experiences on par with the best experience they have ever had, while an equal percentage (91%) judge a company by the quality of its customer service. 

Consumers are embracing AI – but expect it to deliver

Forty-nine percent of APAC consumers are comfortable with AI making decisions on their behalf if it improves speed and resolution. Comfort is highest in South Korea at 56%, suggesting stronger consumer openness as AI becomes more embedded across the customer experience. 

But patience is limited when AI falls short: 82% of APAC consumers will give a virtual agent three attempts or fewer to resolve an issue. 

Poor experiences have real business consequences

Six in 10 (61%) APAC consumers would switch to a competitor after three or fewer bad experiences with their most favorite companies or brands. For 17%, it only takes one bad experience before they switch. 

Organisations see agentic AI and orchestration as key to closing the experience gap. Eighty-six percent of APAC CX leaders expect autonomous AI agents to orchestrate customer experiences within three years, while they plan to spend an average of 32% of their customer service or experience budget on AI-powered CX technologies over the next 12 months.

The findings suggest the future of customer experience depends not only on agentic AI adoption, but on how effectively organisations connect AI, human interactions, data and systems across the customer journey.

Details

Download the State of Customer Experience report at https://www.genesys.com/resources/state-of-cx

*Genesys worked with an independent research firm to survey 5,811 consumers and 1,560 CX and business leaders in more than 20 countries. The study includes responses from 1,426 (24%) consumers and 508 (14%) CX leader respondents across APAC, including Australia, New Zealand, India, Japan, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand. 

The survey was conducted in March and April of 2026. Among the business respondents, the industries represented were airlines, automotive, banking, government, healthcare, insurance, manufacturing, media and entertainment,professional services, retail, travel and hospitality, technology, telecommunications and utilities.

Decades of market intelligence a question away

ISI, the proprietary data platform for global market intelligence, has launched AskISI, an AI-powered research capability within EMIS, its emerging markets company and industry intelligence research platform. 

EMIS has provided company and industry intelligence across emerging markets for over 30 years. That intelligence is now available as a conversational experience with AskISI.

Early users have found AskISI can cut the time needed to prepare a single market report by up to two weeks and reduce data compilation across a set of companies from roughly half an hour to seconds. 

“AskISI has transformed the way we conduct research by significantly reducing the time required to gather and analyse information—from 15–20 minutes to as little as 5 minutes. Its ability to synthesise information, provide credible source-backed insights, and deliver fast, targeted answers has greatly improved our team’s efficiency. Most importantly, the information is grounded in actual data, making it highly reliable and helping us avoid the hallucinations often found in other AI tools. 

"As we continue to use AskISI, its impact on streamlining and enhancing our research process keeps growing,” said Filipe Mesquita, Market Intelligence Coordinator at Tigre.

“AI is only as valuable as the quality of the intelligence behind it. With AskISI, we’re combining the power of generative AI with three decades of ISI trusted research and market expertise, helping our clients find answers faster while maintaining confidence in the sources behind them,” said Steve Pulley, CEO of ISI Markets.

“AskISI powered by EMIS is designed to accelerate research. Users can now find trusted answers quickly by leveraging EMIS’s rich ecosystem of research reports, news, and company filings, so they can focus on what they do best: making informed decisions and driving results.” said Diego Obere, EMIS MD.

Key capabilities of AskISI 

Faster research

AskISI delivers answers drawn from EMIS’ 2.7+ M research reports, 40+ M news articles, and company filings. 

Verified sourcing

Every answer is grounded exclusively in EMIS’ proprietary and licensed intelligence, with a direct reference back to the original source document. 

Broader research coverage

AskISI surfaces trends, non-obvious connections, competitive dynamics, and strategic signals that manual research may miss.

Built with EMIS analysts

AskISI’s methodology and outputs have been shaped by EMIS’ own industry and company experts, ensuring answers reflect the standards and context of EMIS’ existing research practice. 

Multilingual research

AskISI supports research across EMIS’s local, niche, and global content, originally sourced in 68 languages, allowing users to work across markets without needing translation. 

Details 

AskISI is available within EMIS today, with plans to roll out across ISI’s other product lines in the coming weeks.

Seven trends for China's F&B market

Source: Comexposium-SIAL Exhibition Company. Poster for SIAL Guangzhou.

SIAL in China and trend forecaster WGSN have identified seven emerging trends shaping China's food and beverage industry in 2026.

The insights follow SIAL Shanghai 2026, which attracted 183,302 industry professionals from 132 countries and regions, and over US$14 B in intended onsite transactions, according to organisers Comexposium-SIAL Exhibition Company. 

The Shanghai show, to return 18-20 May 2027, underlined demand around healthier snacks, functional foods, clean-label products, premium beverages and food-as-medicine concepts. These categories are expected to shape the 4th SIAL Guangzhou (西雅国际食品展[广州]). Guangzhou is widely recognized as the gateway between China's production base and Southeast Asia.

The broader product mix planned for SIAL Guangzhou 2026 also includes nutritional solutions, natural products, ready-to-drink beverages, new-style tea drinks, specialty coffee, beverage ingredients, sweeteners, concentrates, convenience foods and products for the silver economy.  

New-style tea drinks and specialty coffee are feeding demand for ingredients, flavours and formats that can be scaled across retail and foodservice. Functional foods are moving closer to everyday consumption, appearing in snacks, beverages and ready-to-eat formats. Convenience, meanwhile, is redefined: consumers still want speed, but increasingly expect better ingredients, stronger provenance, and a sense of occasion.

The seven trends are: 

- Digestive, wellness, dairy

Functional dairy products, including A2 dairy*, camel milk and nutritional solutions, are meeting growing demand for gut health and personalised wellness.

- Clean-label protein snacking

High-protein snacks and premium meat-based products are redefining convenient nutrition with cleaner ingredients and better textures.

- Tea-flavoured innovation

Tea flavours are expanding beyond beverages into snacks, dairy, coffee and confectionery, creating new product opportunities.

- Asian low-alcohol by volume (ABV) revolution

Tea cocktails, sparkling rice wine and ready to drink (RTD) beverages are bringing new experiences to younger consumers.

- Low-glycaemic index (GI) & functional bakery

Low-sugar, slow-release energy and functional bakery products are offering healthier ways to enjoy everyday foods.

- Mood & sensory snacking

Extreme sour flavours, cooling effects and multi-sensory experiences are transforming snacks into experiences.

- Food-as-medicine wellness

Herbal nutrition, botanical drinks and zero-sugar solutions combine traditional ingredients with modern wellness concepts. 

Taking place from 3 to 5 September 2026 at the Guangzhou Poly World Trade Center Expo, SIAL in Guangzhou arrives at a time when international buyers, distributors and retail procurement teams are looking more closely at supplier reliability, product differentiation and faster access to Asian growth markets.

The event is expanding to four exhibition halls this year, hosting over 1,500 exhibitors across 15 sectors. The ambition is to make South China’s edition a more prominent international sourcing platform, especially for buyers seeking export-ready Chinese suppliers and Asian market insight in the same place. 

New initiatives planned for 2026 include a Halal Food Village, reflecting rising demand from Muslim consumers across Southeast Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East as well as growing interest from retailers and foodservice operators looking for certified products with international potential. 

The village will showcase halal-certified products from China's major Muslim food-producing regions, including Xinjiang and Gansu, alongside international exhibitors and country pavilions, including from Thailand. 

With Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Gulf markets continuing to expand on halal food imports that respond to mainstream expectations around quality, convenience and innovation, the segment is expected to become one of the exhibition's fastest-growing categories. 

According to the organisers, the halal category also overlaps with clean labelling, traceability, premiumisation and food safety, all themes that resonate beyond Muslim-majority markets. 

The International Top Buyer Programme is another major part of the 2026 proposition at SIAL Guangzhou. Targeting procurement leaders from Southeast Asia, South Asia, Japan, South Korea, Mongolia, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, the programme is designed to bring decision-makers closer to qualified suppliers through matchmaking, sourcing support, translation services, VIP networking, hotel accommodation and curated meetings.

Beyond sourcing, SIAL Guangzhou 2026 will include events such as the SIAL Innovation Awards, SIAL in China Awards, SIAL Snacking Awards, SIAL Cup Barista Challenge, SIAL Chic & Tea Contest, Match Me, SIAL White Paper Market Insights and SIAL Elite Hour.

Some of the buyers who will be present at SIAL Guangzhou 2026:

Retail

- Angliss Shenzhen Food Service (上海安得列郎晴食品贸易)

- Busy Ming Group Company (湖南鸣鸣很忙商业)

- Fujian Wanchen Food Group Company

- Guangdong Jiarong Supermarket Company 

- GuangDong Sai Yi Convenience Stores (广东赛壹便利店)

- Hema (China) Company

- Jiangmen Dachang Supermarket Company

- Meiyijia Holdings 

- Rainbow DIGITAL Commercial Company 

- WAL-MART (China) Investment Company

- Yonghui Superstores Company 

Catering

- Guangzhou Restaurant Group Co., Ltd. 

- Guangzhou Tao Tao Ju Company (陶陶居)

- GYH L

- Jiumao Jiu (Guangzhou) Holdings Company 

- Juewei Food Company

- Luckin Coffee Group Company 

- Mixue Group (蜜雪冰城)

- Shenzhen Yamei Catering Management Company

- Shenzhen Yiren Yiwei Hot Pot Chain Company

- Yuan JI Food Group Company 

- Zhongyin Babi Food Company (中饮巴比食品)

Hotels

- Cixi Tiandi Jiayuan Hotel Company 

- Fujian Lijiu Jiayan Hotel Management Company 

- Fuqing Longshun Hotel Company

-  HanTing Xingkong (Shanghai) Hotel Management Company 

- Jiangsu Yachengtong Hotel Management Company

- Shanghai Grand Glory Hotel Company 

- Shenzhen ZTE Hetai Hotel Investment Management Company (深圳市中興和泰酒店投資管理)

- Sheraton Hotels & Resorts

- Southern Airline Pearl Hotel

- Wenzhou Four Seasons Hotel Company 

- Zhejiang New Century Hotel Management Company 

E-commerce

- Douyin Company

- Dichao (Shenzhen) Network Technology Company 

- Fuzhou Pupu E-commerce Company

- Guangzhou Sankuai Network Technology Company

- Hangzhou Television Network Technology Company 

- JD 

- POIZON 

- Shanghai 100me Internet Technology Company 

- Taobao (China) Software Company

- VIPSHOP (China) Company 

- Zhejiang Tmall Technology Company

Trading 

- Dreamer Oversea Group Company

- Guangzhou Dingyi Food Group Company

- Guangdong Lingyu International Trade Company

- Guangdong Shengnong International Trading Company 

- Guangdong Wuyang Frozen Food Company

- Guangzhou Xiangsheng Import and Export Trading Company 

- Guangzhou Youxi Cheng Trading Company 

- Qingdao Ximengde International Trade Company

- Shanghai Youliang Industrial Company 

- Xi'an Hecai Trading Company

- Xiamen Kangperruixun International Trade Company 

Logistics

- Guangdong Green Tomato Supply Chain Management Company (广东绿番茄供应链管理)

- Guangdong Jiarong Supply Chain Management Company

- Guangdong Wentai Supply Chain Management Company 

- Guangzhou Nansha Haijixing International Supply Chain Company 

- HeNan Ocean Times Supply Chain Company 

- Hongpeng Supply Chain (Shenzhen) Company 

- Hunan Juyuan Jicai Supply Chain Company 

- Shenzhen Aojia Supply Chain Company 

- Shenzhen Asia Global Fresh Supply Chain (Group) Company 

- Shenzhen Shengjia Supply Chain Management Company 

- Shuhai (Shenzhen) Supply Chain Management Company 

Food manufacturing & processing

- Beidahuang Food Group Hebei Company

- Bestore Company

- Guangdong Beary Foodstuff Company 

- Guangdong Rimei Foods Company

- Guangdong Jiashili Food Group Company

- GUANG DONG JIA YOU Food Company

- Guangzhou Li Shanghuang Food Company 

- Haoxiangni Health Food Company

- Henry Food Company

- Shenzhen Jiulongzhai Food Company

- Zhejiang Yiming Food Company

Others

- China Nanhang Group Aviation Food Company

- Guangdong Meow Fish Cultural Gifts Company (广东喵鱼文化礼品) 

- Guangdong Zhongshan Health Industry Technology Company

- Hangzhou Leke E-commerce Company 

- Hubei Airport Group Aviation Logistics Company

- Lianhua (Xiamen) Aviation Food Company

- Shanghai Eastern Air Catering Company 

- Spring Airlines Company

- Wuxi Anjing Food Marketing Company, Suzhou Branch

- Zhuhai Hengqin Good Sing Culture CCI Capital 

- Zhengzhou Qianweiyangchu Food Company (郑州千味央厨食品)

 

Details

SIAL Guangzhou 2026 | 3–5 September | Guangzhou Poly World Trade Center Expo, Guangzhou, China

Register at https://dwz.cn/I3xC9VAY

*A2 dairy does not contain A1 proteins. Traditionally, cow's milk contains both A1 and A2 proteins. 

Singapore workers not AI-sceptical, but don't use AI at work

Salesforce, the world’s No. 1 AI customer relationship management (CRM) has reported Singapore's desk workers are among the least sceptical about AI globally, yet rank the lowest for adoption. The gap points to a specific, solvable problem, the company said: corporate rollouts are falling short, leaving workers unable to make the most out of AI in their day- to-day work.

The company's survey* of more than 1,500 desk workers spanning four continents found that just 29% of Singapore respondents identify as AI sceptics — well below the global average of 37%, and significantly lower than the 53% recorded in the US, UK, and France.

Yet, this has failed to translate for Singapore businesses as a competitive advantage. Only 6% of Singapore desk workers say AI is a core part of their daily work, placing the market among the lowest globally and nearly half the global average of 11%. The data reveals an adoption paradox: willingness without traction.

This gap between attitude and action is explained not by reluctance but by disappointment. Among Singapore workers who have experienced unsuccessful AI pilots (31%), the reasons point squarely at pilot quality. Of those Singapore respondents, 40% cited generic outputs as a reason for failure, the highest proportion of any market surveyed and ten percentage points above the global average figure of 30%. Nearly four in 10 (38%) of them flagged low trust in outputs compared with a global average of 28%. Three in 10 also said results lacked business context, against a global average of 22%.

The results show a consistent pattern: Singapore's workers are not resistant to AI in principle, but they are being held back by tools that do not meet the bar of relevance, accuracy, and reliability required for professional use, Salesforce said.

The Salesforce research also identified more than 500 workers globally who successfully graduated from initial pilots to deep, daily usage. What differentiated them was not enthusiasm — it was the ecosystem built around the tools: role-specific training, AI embedded into existing workflows, and non-negotiable data security. For Singapore business leaders, the data makes a compelling case: the barrier to AI adoption is not cultural reluctance but a delivery gap.

Corporate rollouts that are disconnected from the business context and existing workflows, will continue to fail regardless of how open workers are to the technology. Closing the gap requires moving from experimentation to execution and advancing contextual, trustworthy AI experiences that Singapore's workforce has already signalled it is ready for.

"Singapore workers are not standing in the way of AI - they're waiting for AI that works for them. While workers’ enthusiasm towards AI is a headstart, poor pilots are leaving real business potential on the table. Every organisation needs to become an Agentic Enterprise to remain competitive, grow and capture opportunities in this era. However, leaders have to move past generic tools and use AI that is trusted, grounded in business context and built into daily work," said Paul Carvouni, SVP & GM, ASEAN, Salesforce.

"Do that, and adoption will not just follow. It becomes a competitive advantage for Singapore and the region."

*In partnership with YouGov, Salesforce conducted a double-blind online survey among over 1,500 desk workers — defined as workers who consider their day-to-day job primarily mental labour over manual or task-based labour and were required to have at least minimal familiarity with AI — in Australia, India, Japan, Singapore, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, KSA, the UK, Mexico, the US, and Canada. The survey was conducted from December 2025 to January 2026. The sample is representative across job roles, industries, and business size.

Singapore investors top in the world for AI adoption in finance

- More than three-quarters (76%) of Singapore mass affluent and high net worth (HNW) investors use AI for finance and investment tasks (73% global average)

- Gen X and Baby Boomer adoption in Singapore (both 72%) significantly outpaces global peers (65% and 59% respectively) 

- Despite high adoption, Singapore investors are among the most measured when it comes to acting on AI alone: 40% prefer a hybrid AI-then-adviser sequence before committing  

An HSBC survey from Ipsos* of 600+ Singapore mass affluent and HNW investors finds high AI use is paired with a strong preference for adviser-validated decisions. This group are using AI for finance and investment (76%) at a higher rate than the global average (72%), yet they continue to look to financial advisers to validate AI-generated insights before making investment decisions. 

The results point to an investor base that has embedded AI in its research workflow while placing a continued preference on expert human advice at the moment of decision, HSBC said.

These findings come as HSBC Singapore accelerates the roll-out of adviser-enabled AI, including Wealth Intelligence**, launched in September 2025, and AI Prepare***, launched in May 2026. Wealth Intelligence gives relationship managers access to insights and research from more than 10,000 sources, helping advisers arrive at client conversations better informed, while AI Prepare generates a client engagement pack in seconds. This reduces manual preparation for relationship managers, allowing them to focus on delivering personalised advice and strengthening client trust. 

HSBC and Google Cloud also announced a global multiyear AI partnership on 17 June 2026, with hyperpersonalised wealth management support among its three initial focus areas. The partnership is expected to enable more than 200 new AI use cases across HSBC's global operations within two years. 

The generational spread of that adoption is one of the more striking Singapore-specific findings. Gen X investors report AI use in finance at 72%, against a global equivalent of 65%. Among Baby Boomers, the gap is wider: 72% in Singapore versus 59% globally. AI engagement here is not concentrated among younger investors; it cuts across age groups in a way that distinguishes Singapore from most of the other nine markets surveyed. 

But AI adoption does not translate into reliance. Only 8% of Singapore investors say AI was the single most influential source in their last major investment decision, against 12% globally. And while 43% say AI has increased their appetite for taking calculated risks, that figure sits below the 49% global average, consistent with Singapore's positioning as a more measured market alongside the US (44%), UK (39%) and Taiwan (43%). 

Investors use AI to research and analyse (69%), for strategy support (44%), and to stress-test their own ideas (34%), then bring those findings to a professional adviser for reassurance (79%) and strategic expertise (71%). Four in 10 Singapore investors say their ideal approach is hybrid, with 57% preferring AI and advisers working together, above the global figure (50%). That preference holds across generations: 45% of Singapore Gen Z investors favour the sequence for generating new investment ideas, ahead of their global peers at 38%. 

Ashmita Acharya, Head of International Wealth and Premier Banking, HSBC Singapore, said: "Our new data tells us is that Singapore's investors are using AI in their financial decision-making with discipline. They are doing more of their own analysis, arriving at conversations better prepared, and expecting more of the professional advisers who help them as a result. That is not a challenge to the adviser relationship model; it is setting a higher bar for what good advice looks like.  

"Our investment in adviser-enabled AI, including Wealth Intelligence, AI Prepare, and our broader partnership with Google Cloud, gives our relationship managers the tools to work at the same level of rigour as the clients they serve, and to bring something to the conversation that AI alone cannot; deep experience, empathy, clear judgement and accountability for the outcome." 

Nine in 10 HNW investors in Singapore have embraced AI, compared with 82% globally. Singapore's wealthiest respondents attribute an average 40% of their investment returns over the past 12 months to AI influence, above the 31% average across all Singapore investors surveyed. At the same time, roughly two thirds (65%) say AI makes them feel more in control. These are clients who are already measuring AI's contribution to their portfolio performance; what they are looking for from their bank is a relationship that matches their level of sophistication. 

*HSBC's Human-AI Advantage study was conducted by Ipsos across 10 markets: Australia, Canada, France, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, UAE, UK, US and mainland China. A total of 9,993 mass affluent and high-net-worth investors participated, with fieldwork in January and February 2026. In Singapore, 609 respondents were polled (weighted). 'Mass affluent' is defined as having US$100,000 to US$2 million in investable assets. 'HNW' is defined as those with investable assets of US$2 million and above.

**Launched in Singapore and Hong Kong in September 2025, Wealth Intelligence is HSBC Private Bank's proprietary generative AI platform. It was built by in-house developers and is powered by OpenAI's large language model. The platform synthesises Chief Investment Office research and more than 10,000 external data sources to provide wealth management teams with real-time investment insights. It is being progressively scaled across HSBC's global markets.

***AI Prepare is HSBC’s AI-powered pre-meeting wealth engagement tool. It brings together a client’s financial overview, tailored talking points and investment insights into a single view. It helps wealth management teams prepare more efficiently for client meetings, supporting more informed and personalised client conversations. 

Immersive display, Awesome Intelligence from the Samsung Galaxy A27 5G

- Samsung Galaxy A27 5G joins the A series

- Features Infinity-O display for a seamless viewing experience

- Reliable performance and intelligent tools for more users


Samsung Electronics Company has announced the Galaxy A27 5G, which refines everyday mobile use with an immersive display, reliable performance and integrated AI features. Building on the popular Galaxy A26 5G, the new device is designed to keep up with everyday activities.

Source: Samsung. Samsung Electronics has announced the Galaxy A27 5G.

“The Galaxy A27 5G reflects our commitment to making meaningful innovation more accessible without compromising on quality,” said Ronnie Ng, VP, Head of Mobile Experience at Samsung.

“As mobile experiences become increasingly central to how people connect, learn and stay productive, users expect technology that is both capable and intuitive. By bringing meaningful upgrades across display, performance and Awesome Intelligence features, the Galaxy A27 5G makes everyday innovation more accessible to people.”

With a slim 7.8 mm body, the Galaxy A27 5G is designed to feel comfortable in the user’s hand throughout the day. Powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 Mobile Platform¹, the Galaxy A27 5G delivers a smoother and more responsive experience. A boost in GPU performance delivers smoother graphics for gaming and streaming, while the latest high-speed memory enables faster data transfer speeds and improved power efficiency.

For smoother and more seamless viewing, the Galaxy A27 5G features a 6.7" Super AMOLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate. It also introduces an upgraded Infinity-O display, which minimises the visible camera area through a discreet punch-hole design. Together with a reduced and more balanced bezel, this adds screen space and removes distractions to keep content front and centre. The Galaxy A27 5G also introduces a 12 MP front camera that captures a wider range of brightness and richer colours.

With a 5,000 mAh (typical) battery², users can enjoy up to 23 hours of video playback on a full charge, while Super Fast Charging provides up to 45% charge in just 30 minutes.

The Galaxy A27 5G introduces upgrades to its suite of Awesome Intelligence features, making mobile intelligence more accessible. Circle to Search³ with Google now supports multi-object recognition, allowing users to search for multiple items within an image at once in a single gesture. It also allows outfits to be virtually tried on directly from search results, helping users to explore new styles from anywhere.

Object Eraser⁴ has also been enhanced. It now delivers more precise results, making it easier to remove unwanted distractions with more natural-looking edits. Additionally, Voice Transcription⁵ in the Voice Recorder app can now translate as it transcribes, making it easier to capture meeting notes in 22 languages.

Building on the Awesome Intelligence⁶ experiences introduced earlier this year, the Galaxy A27 5G supports a choice of AI assistants, including Google Gemini⁷ and Perplexity⁸. There is deeper integration across more native Galaxy apps as well, including Gallery. The Galaxy A27 5G further supports Bixby⁹ as a conversational device agent.

The Galaxy A27 5G reinforces Samsung’s commitment to long-term support with up to six generations of Android OS and One UI upgrades, as well as up to six years of security updates from the initial global launch date. Built on Samsung Knox with hardware-backed protection from Knox Vault¹⁰, the Galaxy A27 5G keeps sensitive data secure, making device protection easier and more intuitive.

Details

The Galaxy A27 5G is now available in Singapore in Black, Blue and Light Pink¹¹ in two storage configurations: 128 GB (recommended retail price or RRP, S$418) and 256 GB (RRP S$498).

Consumers can now purchase the Galaxy A27 5G through the following channels:

• Samsung Online Store
• Samsung Shop App
• Samsung Experience Stores
• Samsung Official Store in Lazada, Shopee and TikTok
• Selected Consumer Electronics & IT online stores (Best Denki, Challenger, Courts, Gain City, Harvey Norman)
• ZYM Mobile

For added peace of mind, consumers can opt for Samsung Care+¹², which offers comprehensive coverage optimised to users’ needs, including tailored benefits that protect the value of the device.

Consumers who purchase the Galaxy A27 5G between 3 July and 6 August 2026 can enjoy launch offers worth up to S$116¹³, including savings of up to S$50, a 25 W power adapter (worth S$38) and a one-year Samsung Care+ Screen Protect plan (worth S$28), while stocks last. Offers may vary by purchase channel. Terms and conditions apply.

Specifications

	Galaxy A27 5G
Display	6.7” FHD +  *Measured diagonally, the screen size is 6.7" in the full rectangle and 6.5" accounting for the rounded corners. Actual viewable area is less due to the rounded corners and the camera hole.
	Super AMOLED, Infinity-O Display  Up to 120 Hz refresh rate
Processor	Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 (4 nm) Octa-Core 2.4 GHz (4x), 1.8 GHz (4x)
Dimensions & Weight	162.4 x 78.2 x 7.8 mm, 200 g
Camera	5 MP Ultra-Wide Camera  50 MP OIS Wide Camera  2 MP Macro Camera  12 MP Front Camera
Memory &    storage14	6 + 128 GB (Online exclusive, only available in Blue)  8 + 256 GB  MicroSD: Up to 2 TB
Battery	5000 mAh (typical)  25 W Fast Charging
	*Typical value tested under third-party laboratory conditions. Typical value is the estimated average value considering the deviation in battery capacity among the battery samples tested under IEC 61960 standard. Rated (minimum) capacity is 4,860 mAh. Actual battery life may vary depending on network environment, usage patterns and other factors.
OS	Android 16   One UI 8.5
Security	Samsung Knox Vault
Water & dust   resistance	IP6415

1 Snapdragon is a trademark or registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated. Snapdragon is a product of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.

2 Typical value tested under third-party laboratory conditions. Typical value is the estimated average value considering the deviation in battery capacity among the battery samples tested under IEC 61960 standard. Rated (minimum) capacity is 4,860 mAh. Actual battery life may vary depending on network environment, usage patterns and other factors. Actual battery life varies by network environment, features and apps used, frequency of calls and messages, the number of times charged, and many other factors.

3 Circle to Search is a trademark of Google. Service availability may vary by country, language or device model. Requires an Internet connection. Users may need to update Android and Google apps to the latest version. Works on compatible apps and surfaces. Results may vary depending on visual matches. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed.

4 Results may vary depending on shooting conditions, including multiple subjects, being out of focus or moving subjects.

5 Voice transcription feature requires Samsung Account login. Only available on the pre-installed Samsung Voice Recorder app or files recorded using the pre-installed Samsung Phone app. Voice recording feature in the pre-installed Samsung Phone app may not be supported in some countries. Audio files must be under 3 hours in duration to be processed. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed. For details, please visit https://www.samsung.com/sg

6 Samsung Account login may be required to use certain Samsung Intelligence features. Samsung does not make any promises, assurances or guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the output provided by Intelligence features. Availability of Awesome Intelligence features may vary depending on the region/country, OS/One UI version, device model or phone carrier. Awesome Intelligence service may be limited for minors in certain regions with age restrictions over AI usage.

7 Gemini feature requires an Internet connection and Google Account login. Service availability may vary by country, language or device model. Features may differ depending on subscription and results may vary. Compatible with certain features and certain accounts. Accuracy of results is not guaranteed.

8 Menu names, paths, and screen layouts may vary depending on your device model, software version, or app version. This feature may vary depending on your country, language, model, or app. If the Perplexity app does not appear in the voice wake-up app list, update both the Voice wake-up app and the Perplexity app to the latest version from the Galaxy Store, then try again. Language support for Perplexity may vary by country.

9 Service availability may vary by country/service provider/language/device model/OS version.

10 Security features or hardware/software architecture of Samsung Knox Vault on Samsung Galaxy A series smartphones may differ from those on Samsung Galaxy flagship devices, including S series, Z series, S FE series smartphones and Tab S series tablets launched from 2021 onwards. Availability of Samsung Knox Vault may vary depending on the device model.

11 Colour availability may vary depending on country or carrier.

12 Terms and conditions apply. Samsung Care+ coverage, service type and promotion details may vary by country/region and a deductible (service fee) may apply. To be eligible for Samsung Care+ promotion benefits, registration may be required. For detailed Samsung Care+ information, please visit https://www.samsung.com/sg/offer/samsung-care-plus/mobile/. Care at home and abroad: When in need of Samsung Care+ services during travel, users should contact the visiting country/region's local customer services centre in advance for Samsung Care+ availability.

13 This promo is valid to 6 August 2026 11:59 pm, while stocks last. The products under this promo may vary by retail outlet / platform. Each customer will be entitled to: 

(i) up to S$50 off via e-voucher for each Samsung Galaxy A27 5G 8 + 256 GB smartphone, purchased under this promo; 

(ii) a free 25 W power adapter (without cable) worth S$38; and 

(iii) one-year Samsung Care+ Screen Protect worth S$28. 

Not stackable with other promotions. Samsung reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions and/or amend or withdraw this promo at any time without prior notice and without assigning any reasons.

14 Memory/storage options and availability may vary by country, region or carrier. Available memory/storage capacity is subject to preloaded software.

15 Galaxy A27 5G is rated as IP64. Based on lab test conditions for spraying 10 litres of freshwater per minute from all angles for 5 minutes. Not recommended for beach or pool use. Water and dust resistance of the device is not permanent and may diminish over time due to normal wear and tear.

Robert Walters: Singapore employees feel less motivated after a performance review

Robert Walters research on professionals in Singapore has found pressure is growing on employers to balance workforce engagement, progression expectations and cost control. 

Source: Robert Walters Salary Survey Singapore 2026 landing page. Key salary and compensation insights for Singapore. In contrast, 100% of businesses in the Philippines are giving pay rises in 2026 vs 84% expecting a raise this year. Filipino professionals are staying an average of 2.3 years with 71% of professionals looking for a new job this year, and 69% are confident about job opportunities. 

Only 10% of professionals say they feel more positive about their roles after their latest performance review, according to new research from global talent solutions partner Robert Walters. The process also left more than one in four (27%) professionals feeling less positive about their roles instead.

The findings are part of a global mid-year survey of professionals, which included close to 200 respondents from Singapore. Conducted in April 2026, they show that businesses are facing growing pressure to maintain workforce confidence and engagement heading into the second half of the year. 

Andrew Powell, Chief Commercial Officer at Robert Walters said: “Performance reviews are becoming increasingly important management moments, particularly as organisations look to balance worker needs while continuing to manage budgets. Employees want to know how their skills are valued, where they can progress and whether the business is investing in their long-term development.”

Among the respondents, 42% of professionals shared that they received a pay increase for 202. One in three of these respondents (15%) saw it as an inflationary increase. 

When asked if their current salary situation is influencing their likelihood of looking for a new job, 79% of the respondents shared that they are either actively looking for a new role or now open to new opportunities. This is an increase compared to the findings of the Robert Walters Salary Survey 2026, where 26% of professionals in Singapore said in late 2025 that they did not have the intention to change or look for jobs for at least the next year or more.

“Most professionals understand the economic pressures businesses are operating under and recognise that significant salary increases may not always be realistic,” Powell said.

“But it can be challenging for organisations to keep employees motivated when they aren’t having regular open conversations around progression, future earning potential or how compensation decisions are made.”

Kirsty Poltock, Country Manager for Robert Walters Singapore said: “Performance reviews are a two-way conversation and an important opportunity for professionals to understand how their individual goals align with the organisation's priorities. Even if salary increases are modest, employees can use these discussions to identify the skills, experiences and responsibilities that will position them for future progression. 

"Over the coming months, professionals who continue to build in-demand capabilities, embrace new technologies including the partnership of AI integration, and demonstrate adaptability will be better placed to seize opportunities as hiring activity picks up.” 

The findings suggest that performance and salary reviews are carrying greater significance in today’s market. “We are seeing many organisations take a more strategic and measured approach to compensation management. Market data can play an important role in helping to understand where they are competitive, where progression gaps might exist and how salary expectations are evolving,” commented Powell.

“As the world of work continues to evolve, professionals are placing greater emphasis on long-term career value and future opportunities. Organisations that understand how workforce expectations are shifting will be better positioned to build engagement, develop critical skills and remain competitive over the longer term.” 

Other highlights from the survey for Singapore include:

Talent snapshot

- Beyond compensation and benefits, talent value having flexible work arrangements, job security and stability, and inspiring colleagues and culture from an employer 

- An expectation gap exists: 27% of employers are likely to give new hires a pay rise of above 10%. However 83% of talent looking to move jobs expect more than a 10% pay rise, with 23% of them likely to request over 20% more in salary

Employer snapshot 

- More than a third (37%) of employers plan to increase their headcount, with most of them looking to increase it by 5-10% 

- Nearly seven in 10 (69%) employers are looking to give a salary increment of at least 3% in 2026 for current employees, and 56% are likely to give a salary increment of at least 6% to new hires 

- Lack of candidates with the right skills/experience, gap in salary and benefit expectations, and talent staying put (job hugging), are among the challenges faced by companies in attracting talent 

- Soft skills: 65% of employers value interpersonal, communication and collaboration skills, and 59% value problem-solving and critical thinking among their employees 

- Contract hiring: 55% of companies will start or continue to hire contractors in 2026 

- Roughly three quarters (74%) of companies hiring contractors do so for project or short-term needs. Other reasons include headcount limitations, and a “wait to try” attitude

AI-driven workplace 

- Almost eight in 10 (78%) businesses expect up to half of their workforce to need reskilling due to AI advancements 

- Employers are looking for talent with skillsets in critical thinking and fact-checking, data analysis, and are highly adaptable

- Top concerns by professionals over AI adoption at the workplace include having their jobs displaced due to automation, bias or unfair treatment due to algorithms, and the lack of relevant training

In Australia, the research found that professionals remain mobile, with career development, fair pay, and strong leadership driving decisions. Salary movement through 2026 is expected to be moderate and targeted rather than broad-based, with increases focused on in-demand roles as employers balance cost control with retention, Robert Walters said. At the same time, AI is reshaping roles and accelerating demand for specialised expertise, while workforce expectations continue to evolve - flexibility, wellbeing, and purpose now sit alongside salary as key drivers of engagement, the company added.

When it comes to Indonesia, the hiring landscape in 2026 will continue to be shaped by disciplined growth, operational efficiency, and heightened risk awareness. As a result, employers are becoming more selective, prioritising roles that deliver clear business impact and support long-term capability building, particularly across digital maturity, governance, and workforce sustainability.

This is reinforcing demand for talent who can translate digital and AI capabilities into tangible productivity gains, especially within finance, supply chain, risk, and operations. In parallel, regulatory and environmental, sustainability and governance (ESG) considerations are increasingly embedded in core business decision-making, sustaining demand for compliance, risk, and ESG-aligned professionals.

From a talent perspective, professionals remain cautious and value-driven. Stability, leadership quality, and meaningful development opportunities are taking precedence over short-term compensation gains. To compete effectively, employers will need to articulate a credible employee value proposition, underpinned by clear career pathways and targeted, market-aligned remuneration.

Malaysia’s hiring landscape will be shaped by its focus on digitalisation, green growth, and energy transition. Key sectors such as data centres, renewable energy, electric vehicles, cybersecurity, AI, and financial technology will see strong demand for adaptable talent with data literacy and digital fluency. Contract hiring will remain prevalent following the 2025 Gig Worker Bill, while AI-driven tools will streamline recruitment processes and enhance workforce planning. Talent attraction and retention will be challenging due to limited hybrid-skilled candidates and rising expectations for flexibility, work-life balance, and purpose-driven workplaces. Employers must offer competitive salaries, career growth opportunities, and flexible arrangements while effectively managing diverse workforce models, Robert Walters advised.

Job mobility remains steady in New Zealand, but professionals are making more considered moves, seeking fair pay, meaningful career progression, flexibility, and strong organisational culture, Robert Walters said. Skills shortages across key sectors continue to shape hiring strategies, placing pressure on employers to compete on more than salary alone. Salary growth in 2026 is expected to be moderate and targeted, focused on in-demand roles as organisations balance retention with budget control.

Thailand’s hiring market in 2026 is likely to continue navigating cautious business sentiment. Employers are expected to maintain careful hiring approaches, prioritising C-suite leaders who can steer organisations through ongoing challenges. Demand for B2B sales & marketing roles will remain high as companies focus on expanding market share and driving revenue growth. Skills-based hiring will gain traction, with reskilling initiatives becoming central to workforce strategies. Salary increases for job movers with in-demand skills are projected at significant levels, while existing employees may see modest adjustments.

Attracting and retaining talent will remain challenging due to supply-demand imbalances, prompting employers to adopt human-centric leadership approaches and invest in continuous learning and development to foster loyalty and resilience within their teams, Robert Walters added.

As for Vietnam, Robert Walters said the hiring market is thriving as the country's economy makes a strong recovery. While the hiring market is gaining momentum, both employers and employees remain cautious and risk-averse. Hiring timelines are expected to be prolonged, and companies are increasingly relying on hiring based on potential rather than experience.

To attract and retain talent, employers in Vietnam are advised to offer competitive compensation and benefits packages, employee appreciation programmes, and growth opportunities. Creating a positive and inclusive company culture that emphasises work-life balance and teamwork is also crucial in building a strong employer brand.

Explore 

Tap on insights into pay levels and hiring trends with the Robert Walters Salary Survey 2026 for: 

- Australia at www.robertwalters.com.au/our-services/salary-survey.html

- Indonesia at https://www.robertwalters.co.id/our-services/salary-survey.html

- Malaysia at https://www.robertwalters.com.my/our-services/salary-survey.html, 

- New Zealand at https://www.robertwalters.co.nz/our-services/salary-survey.html, 

- Philippines at https://www.robertwalters.com.ph/our-services/salary-survey.html, 

- Singapore at https://www.robertwalters.com.sg/our-services/salary-survey.html, 

- Thailand at https://www.robertwalters.co.th/our-services/salary-survey.html, and for 

- Vietnam at https://www.robertwalters.com.vn/our-services/salary-survey.html

The Japanese edition (in Japanese) is available at https://www.robertwalters.co.jp/our-services/salary-survey.html while the Korean edition (in Korean) is at https://www.robertwalters.co.kr/our-services/salary-survey.html

Shopee, Meta, launch affiliate partnerships on Instagram in Asia

- Affiliate partnerships on Instagram are available for creators across Southeast Asia and Taiwan

- Builds on the success of Facebook affiliate partnerships

- Creators can earn commissions by sharing Shopee products on Instagram

Creators in Southeast Asia and Taiwan will be some of the first outside of the US to sign up for affiliate partnerships from Shopee on Instagram.

Source: Shopee and Meta. Shopee and Meta today announced the launch of affiliate partnerships on
Instagram for creators across Southeast Asia and Taiwan.

The initiative from Shopee and Meta enables eligible creators in these locations to connect their Shopee affiliate account to Instagram, discover Shopee’s affiliate products and share recommendations with their audiences through Instagram Reels and Feed content. When Instagram viewers complete qualifying purchases on Shopee, the creators are eligible to earn commissions. 

The expansion builds on the success of Facebook affiliate partnerships, launched in 2025. As of March 2026, more than 5 million creators globally have connected their Facebook account to their Shopee affiliate account, with around 50% of onboarded creators new to the Shopee Affiliate Program. These numbers highlight the partnership’s success in attracting and enabling a new generation of affiliate creators.

Through this partnership, Meta and Shopee are making it easier for creators to monetise product recommendations, while helping shoppers discover relevant products through the content they already engage with. 

“Our success with Meta on Facebook affiliate partnerships has shown how powerful creator-led commerce can be when content, trust and shopping come together. We are excited to build on this momentum with Instagram, giving creators more ways to earn from product recommendations across Reels and Feed, while helping shoppers discover and purchase Shopee products more seamlessly. 

"This is part of Shopee’s broader commitment to supporting creators, sellers and brands as content becomes an increasingly important part of the online shopping journey,” said Peggy Zhu, Executive Director, Brand and Growth Marketing at Shopee.

With affiliate partnerships on Instagram, eligible creators can:

● Connect their Shopee affiliate account to their Instagram professional account

● Discover and select Shopee affiliate products to recommend in Reels and Feed content 

● Showcase multiple products in a single piece of content, with a shopping icon and a “commission eligible” label, enabling viewers to easily identify featured products and enjoy a more seamless journey from discovery on Instagram to checkout on Shopee

 ● Earn commissions when viewers complete qualifying purchases on Shopee 

Early signals from the initial Instagram Reels rollout have also been encouraging. Across markets, creators have shown strong early interest in using short-form content to share product recommendations with their audiences. 

Meta and Shopee are committed to protecting user data. Account linking and affiliate activity data are processed in accordance with applicable data protection laws, and creators maintain control over their connected accounts at all times.

“As a creator, I’ve always used Instagram Reels to share product recommendations in a way that feels personal and useful for my followers. Affiliate partnerships on Instagram make this even easier because I can add Shopee products directly to my Reels, helping viewers find what I’m recommending more quickly. It also gives me more opportunities to earn from the content I already enjoy creating,” shared Ekida (@ekidarehanf), a content creator from Indonesia.

Shopee and Meta are also testing an affiliate ad solution in a limited rollout starting with selected Southeast Asia markets, with a view to expanding over the coming months. With the creator's consent, Shopee sellers and brands can amplify select affiliate content as clearly-labelled paid promotions, with Meta's ad system helping to reach relevant audiences. This gives sellers and brands a seamless way to amplify creator content that is already resonating with audiences, driving greater reach and return on investment. 

"By bringing affiliate partnerships to Instagram with Shopee, we're creating more opportunities for creators to earn from the content they love making, while helping businesses of all sizes reach new customers. The strong adoption we've seen on Facebook shows the real demand for tools that turn creative content into meaningful commerce," said Nicole Tan, MD, Meta Singapore. 

Details 

Affiliate partnerships on Instagram with Shopee in Asia are now available to eligible creators in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.