BT Correspondents

By the 2030s, nearly 300 of Singapore’s earliest HDB blocks will enter the final 30 years of their 99-year leases.  In this episode of PropertyBT, Leslie Yee unpacks the government’s proposed Voluntary Early Redevelopment Scheme (Vers): what it could mean for homeowners, the potential challenges of the scheme and the risk of lease decay.  Synopsis: Hosted by senior correspond...

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are no longer sci-fi, they’re rolling onto Singapore’s roads.  On TransportBT, host Derryn Wong speaks with associate professor Raymond Ong from NUS about how far the technology has come, and what it means for our transport future.  From Punggol’s self-driving shuttles to the first driverless bus contracts, AVs promise to change how we move, wo...

The global economy is facing tectonic shifts. From inflation to deglobalisation, US exceptionalism to Asia's rise, how can investors navigate these monumental changes? What long-term trends are challenging assumptions? Wealth editor Genevieve Cua speaks to Alexandre Tavazzi from Pictet Wealth Management to find out. Synopsis: Learn to protect and grow your wealth in this monthly Business Times pod...

The authorities are pushing companies to strengthen their businesses, optimise their capital structures, and engage with investors. Are corporate boards up to the task? What might stop them from effecting the necessary changes? How can the interests of boards and minority shareholders be aligned? Senior correspondent Ben Paul offers some views.. Highlights of the podcast: 01:55 Directors ought to...

What ails retail, F&B and nightlife in Singapore?  In this episode of PropertyBT, host Leslie Yee chats with Knight Frank Singapore’s retail head Ethan Hsu. We explore the challenges facing F&B operators, Orchard Road and nightlife players as well as the threats posed by online shopping and retail offerings in Johor Bahru. What is the outlook for various segments of retail and l...

BMW is betting big on its future with the launch of Neue Klasse, a sweeping overhaul of its entire vehicle lineup. Host Derryn Wong speaks with Lars Nielsen, managing director of BMW Group Asia, about why the German carmaker is making its boldest move in more than a century.  From 800 km EV ranges and new software-defined cars to partnerships in China and in-car gaming, BMW is reinventing wha...

Disputes over wills can fracture families and drag on in court. In this episode of WealthBT, host Genevieve Cua speaks with Ang Boon Yaw of Yeo Marini Law Corporation on why more Singaporeans — including younger couples — are taking estate planning seriously.  From the risks of DIY will to why trusts may sometimes be necessary, Ang shares practical advice on the most common mistak...

In a surprise twist, Simba rather than StarHub has emerged as the acquirer of M1’s telco business. Has the plucky upstart outflanked its more established competitor? Or, has StarHub dodged a bullet? Are Singapore’s telco stocks attractive? Senior correspondent Ben Paul delves into the implications of the deal. Highlights of the podcast: 03:46 Does consolidation mean less competition? 0...

Can state properties become vibrant spaces that create economic and societal value?  In this episode of PropertyBT, host Leslie Yee chats with Singapore Land Authority’s Carrie Wong. We explore the challenges of managing black-and-white bungalows. We see how the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) is different from private sector landlords. We also look at success stories in transforming sta...

Singapore’s car-sharing scene has seen its fair share of failures, from Smove to BlueSG’s recent pause. But one company has bucked the trend: GetGo. In this episode of TransportBT, host Derryn Wong speaks with GetGo CEO Toh Ting Feng about building a successful car-sharing platform in a challenging market like Singapore. From EV adoption to future expansion overseas, they explore wheth...

If markets have you on edge, this WealthBT episode reveals how geopolitical crises and market swings can actually be opportunities. Join Genevieve Cua and Pictet Wealth Management Asia’s CEO Victor Aerni to learn how a long-term approach and strategic asset allocation can help you gain from volatility and achieve your financial goals. Synopsis: Learn to protect and grow your wealth in this m...

MAS has begun appointing fund managers under its S$5 billion Equities Market Development Programme, and plans to consult proposals to enable investors to seek recourse if they suffer losses due to market misconduct. Senior correspondent Ben Paul explains how this might reshape the market. Highlights of the podcast: 02:28 A S$5 billion boost to smaller-cap stocks 04:36 EQDP fund managers should pre...

What should be done with rogue agents, inactive agents and big agencies dominating the market?  In this episode of PropertyBT, host Leslie Yee chats with Prof Sing Tien Foo to explore ideas like regulating sales commission rates and eliminating the role of agents in selling HDB resale flats.  We discuss the responsibility of agencies for the actions of agents, whether inactive agents sho...

Singapore’s Certificate of Entitlement (COE) system has sparked public frustration again, especially after recent comments from Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow defending private hire car allocations.  In this episode, BT’s Derryn Wong speaks with economist Walter Theseira to unpack whether private hire cars really drive up COE prices, the bigger issues with the COE system,...

Structured notes promise yield, flexibility, and even capital protection — but are they right for your portfolio?  Host Genevieve Cua speaks with Franck Fayard from Marex to unpack how these complex instruments work, when they make sense, and what to watch out for.  From crypto-linked notes to capital protected strategies, this episode explores how structured notes can be used tact...

IFAs play a big role in take-private offers, but their work is often criticised by investors. Senior correspondent Ben Paul looks at what they have done right and wrong in deals involving Sinarmas Land, Dyna-Mac and Great Eastern. Highlights of the podcast: 03:28 Major shareholders versus minorities 06:04 Lowball offers draw heightened scrutiny 10:15 Consider private market value of assets 13:30 H...

Why are Singaporeans so smitten with shiny new condos? In this episode of PropertyBT, host Leslie Yee chats with GuocoLand’s Dora Chng to unpack what’s driving the demand—from MRT-connected launches to forest-fringed retreats. We explore why the Lentor area is so hot right now, why buyers are paying a premium for that “brand new” feel, and how green living and flex ro...

Asia’s business air travel is taking off fast, and Singapore is making a bold move to stay ahead: the massive new Changi Terminal 5 (T5). In this episode of TransportBT, host Derryn Wong chats with ATPI’s Ali Hussain about what’s fuelling the boom in the region and how T5 fits into the region’s aviation future.  Plus, they dive into how tech, tariffs, and travelle...

When we hear "legacy planning," most of us think of wills, trusts, and financial assets. But what if true legacy is about much more than money? In this episode of WealthBT, host Genevieve Cua speaks with Christopher Tan, CEO of Providend, about how legacy planning is really about values, identity, and intention. From common mistakes wealthy parents make, to the power of a heartfelt letter of wishe...

The rationale for Paragon Reit and FHT seeking to delist hold important lessons on the risks of investing in S-Reits, and how to ride the next upcycle. Senior correspondent Ben Paul offers his views on how investors should position themselves. Highlights of the podcast: 03:14 Real estate requires periodic reinvestment 04:48 Higher debt costs, lower market valuations 08:46 Sponsor groups adapt to c...

Half-way into 2025, Singapore has a new government, and the world has a new trade war. Should we be bracing for another downturn for Singapore’s commercial properties? But don’t panic just yet, things may not be as bad as they seem. In this episode, Senior correspondent Leslie Yee gets insights from Cushman & Wakefield’s Wong Xian Yang on the surprising resilience of Singapor...

Did you know that Singapore built its first satellite station in 1971? From the city’s first satellite launch in 1998, to pioneering cutting edge of space technology today, Singapore is, literally, reaching for the stars.  In this episode of TransportBT, host Derryn Wong journeys through Singapore’s burgeoning space industry with Jonathan Hung, the executive director of Singapore'...

Sell America, some said. Don’t buy the dip, others said.  Thanks to US President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, investment advice have popped up left and right in the media. But don’t panic just yet, according to Dr Wei Dai, head of research and vice president at Dimensional Fund Advisors. In this episode, host Genevieve Cua sits down with Dr Dai to explain why you should a...

Just weeks after Donald Trump’s "Liberation Day", the S&P 500 has recovered almost all the ground it lost. But supply shocks in the US and demand shocks everywhere else could shake the markets again. Senior correspondent Ben Paul explores what it all means for investors. Highlights of the podcast: 01:03 Trump blinked amid bond market turmoil 03:47 Get ready for demand and supply shocks 0...

What does it take to grow a real estate empire in Singapore? In this episode, Leslie Yee hears from Rachel Teo, director of Daniel Teo group of companies, about carving her own path in Singapore’s real estate industry. From growing up visiting sites, to building the investment platform Fraxtor, to the future of senior housing in Singapore, Rachel gives us an honest peek into the workings int...