Singapore Archives - Page 7 of 16

PM Lee says Singapore to contribute US$100,000 to COVID-19 ASEAN fund, hails RCEP signing as ‘major achievement’

16Nov

By Desk TeamNo Comments

China, Singapore, World

PM Lee says Singapore to contribute US$100,000 to COVID-19 ASEAN fund, hails RCEP signing as ‘major achievement’

related media assets (image or videos) available. Click to see the gallery. 2 related media assets (image or videos) available. Click to see the gallery. SINGAPORE: Singapore will contribute US$100,000 to the COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund as the region continues to work together to combat the pandemic, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Thursday (Nov 12). Speaking at the ASEAN Summit, which is being held via video conference, Mr Lee also called the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) later in the week a “major achievement”. “The RCEP affirms ASEAN’s collective commitment to economic integration and to an inclusive, open and rules-based multilateral trading system,” Mr Lee said. The trade pact includes the 10-member ASEAN bloc, along with Chin...

Australia may open borders to Asia as it records third day without local COVID-19 case

14Nov

By Desk TeamNo Comments

Asia, China, Singapore, World

Australia may open borders to Asia as it records third day without local COVID-19 case

SYDNEY: Australia is considering opening its borders to Asian countries, including parts of China, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Tuesday (Nov 10), as Canberra seeks to revive an economy ravaged by COVID-19. Australia in March shut its borders to all non-citizens and permanent residents, though in October, Canberra allowed New Zealand residents to enter. Internal travel is limited, although those restrictions are scheduled to be removed by the end of the year. Morrison ruled out entry from the United States or Europe, but said Australia may allow people from low-risk places such as Taiwan, Japan, Singapore and even provinces in China. "We ... are looking at what alternative arrangements could be had to channel visitors through appropriate quarantine arrangements for low-risk ...

Malaysia says aviation firms may need three years to recover from COVID-19

12Nov

By Desk TeamNo Comments

Asia, Market, Singapore, World

Malaysia says aviation firms may need three years to recover from COVID-19

KUALA LUMPUR: Airlines in Malaysia could take three years to bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic, depending on the outbreak in the country and abroad, the transport ministry said. Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong said earlier this week that in the Malaysian Aviation Commission's (MAVCOM) revised projections for passenger traffic this year, it expects passenger numbers to shrink as much as 75.6 per cent to 26.6 million, compared with the 109.2 million passengers recorded in 2019. "In this regard, airlines are expected to need a period of three years to fully recover the situation from the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, subject to the of the outbreak in the country and abroad," Wee said in a written parliamentary reply dated Monday (Nov 9). Airlines globally have taken a hit from ...

Japan eases COVID-19 travel curbs for China, eight others

8Nov

By Desk TeamNo Comments

Asia, China, Singapore, World

Japan eases COVID-19 travel curbs for China, eight others

TOKYO: Japan has eased travel curbs for China, Australia, South Korea and six other countries and regions, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said on Friday (Oct 30), as Tokyo steps up efforts to revive its economy while preventing the spread of COVID-19. Japan lowered its infection risk advisory level for Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan, New Zealand, Brunei and Vietnam, besides China, South Korea and Australia, to 2 from 3, telling its citizens to avoid non-urgent, non-essential trips. Under the infection risk advisory level of 3, the public are instructed not to take any trips. Singapore and Japan launched a reciprocal green lane to facilitate short-term essential business and official travel between the two countries on Sep 18. The business track will allow the safe resumption of cr...

Borrowers to get more time to repay loans as MAS extends financial relief measures

5Nov

By Desk TeamNo Comments

Asia, Singapore, World

Borrowers to get more time to repay loans as MAS extends financial relief measures

SINGAPORE: With many borrowers expected to continue to face financial issues amid a prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) is extending its support measures for various groups of borrowers, including allowing those with property loans to apply to temporarily reduce their monthly instalment payments. Those with renovation and student loans may also opt for a longer repayment period, while small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will get to partially defer principal payments for some loans and receive customised restructuring options. These were announced by the MAS on Monday (Oct 5) as the clock ticks down to the end of the relief measures on Dec 31 this year. Since April, companies and individuals hurt by the pandemic have been able to request to d...

Trump vs Biden: Potential implications for investors

3Nov

By Desk TeamNo Comments

Asia, China, Market, Singapore, World

Trump vs Biden: Potential implications for investors

As the clock ticks down to the US presidential election, Money Mind looks into the potential impact of a Trump or Biden victory, and what this means for investors. SINGAPORE: As the clock ticks down to the US presidential election on Nov 3, the intensity of the contest between Republican President Donald Trump and Democratic challenger Joe Biden is rising. For investors, the anticipation of the outcome has led to some wild rides in the markets. A survey conducted by wealth management firm UBS in September found that investors favoured Mr Trump for economic direction and job growth. However, Mr Biden was their pick to manage the COVID-19 downturn, foreign policy, and healthcare. Over the past month, much has happened. From a first presidential debate that some have called disastrous...

New 3.5km path linking Changi Airport and East Coast Park opens, featuring dinosaur exhibits

1Nov

By Desk TeamNo Comments

Singapore, World

New 3.5km path linking Changi Airport and East Coast Park opens, featuring dinosaur exhibits

related media assets (image or videos) available. Click to see the gallery. 2 related media assets (image or videos) available. Click to see the gallery. SINGAPORE: Here’s another one to add to your list of day trips – 22 "life-sized" dinosaur models along the Changi Airport Connector, a new 3.5km path that links the airport to East Coast Park. The cycling and walking path, which starts at Terminal 2, opened on Sunday (Oct 11). It runs parallel to offices providing ground handling services, Terminal 4 and Tanah Merah Country Club. The Changi Jurassic Mile – a permanent outdoor display of 22 dinosaurs from nine species – is located between the Terminal 4 pit stop and the entrance to East Coast Park. Information panels have been put up to educate visitors about these prehistor...

Commentary: Hong Kong and Singapore air travel bubble could be a game-changer

1Nov

By Desk TeamNo Comments

Asia, China, Market, Singapore, World

Commentary: Hong Kong and Singapore air travel bubble could be a game-changer

The air travel bubble between both countries is a landmark agreement that signals the start of a gradual recovery for Asia’s international passenger traffic, says Brendan Sobie. SINGAPORE: The air travel bubble announced by Hong Kong and Singapore on Oct 15 marks the first significant positive development in several months for both aviation hubs, Singapore Airlines (SIA) as well as Cathay Pacific. Both the Changi Airport and Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) are currently at about 1.5 per cent of normal passenger traffic levels. Passenger traffic at SIA Group and Cathay Pacific Group are at even lower levels – down almost 99 per cent in recent months. Traffic has been essentially stalled at the current paltry level for the last three months, following a very slight uptic...

Singapore’s foray into space: Boldly going where no little red dot has gone before

1Nov

By Desk TeamNo Comments

China, Market, Singapore, World

Singapore’s foray into space: Boldly going where no little red dot has gone before

The efforts of the country’s budding space industry are giving the Republic a larger stake in the space race than many people may think. The programme Why It Matters looks at the opportunities and obstacles. SINGAPORE: Over the past four years, Singapore-based start-up Transcelestial has made a device called Centauri, about the size of a shoe box. Its aim: To provide internet connectivity that is around 1,000 times faster, or more, than now. It just needs to connect to a satellite using laser communications — no, make that a global satellite network the company wants to put into space. Working from home at the speed of light, however, “isn’t even scratching the surface of the capability” of laser-linked satellites, says Transcelestial co-founder Rohit Jha. He is looking into connec...

Thailand planning land and rail passageway, bypassing congested Strait of Malacca

30Sep

By Joe RodriguezNo Comments

Asia, Singapore

Thailand planning land and rail passageway, bypassing congested Strait of Malacca

Discussions are underway in Thailand to construct two deep seaports on both sides of the country’s southern coast, which would be linked via rail and highway in hopes to shorten shipping time by bypassing the busy Strait of Malacca with a 100-kilometre highway and railway passageway.The latest proposal replaces the Kra Canal plan, which has been dropped on environmental grounds. That plan would have seen a canal crossing the skinniest point of the country, through the Isthmus of Kra just south of Phuket and Krabi, chopping around 1,200 kilometres off the shipping journey.The new project is expected to reduce shipping time by 2 days by bypassing the Strait of Malacca, which runs along Peninsular Malaysia’s south-west coast, before curving east past Singapore.However, the passageway is notor...