Let's Talk, Singapore

Synopsis: The Straits Times analyses South-east Asia's top news developments in this weekly podcast. The Straits Times' regional correspondent Leslie Lopez   chats with Money FM's Elliot Danker and Bharati Jagdish. Highlights (click/tap above): 00:59 Impact of the European Union's expansion of its sanctions on Myanmar's military junta 02:29 Slow progress of implementing the five-point peace p...

Margaret Yang, Strategist, DailyFX, discusses how higher expenses were a big factor behind OCBC's 14 percent drop in Q4 net profit, and if these headwinds will persist. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To wrap up the announcements and details of Singapore Budget 2022, Alvin Liew, Senior Economist, UOB joins us to discuss if the restructuring anxieties in Singapore felt by workers and firms have been adequately addressed and how Budget 2022 will set Singapore up for economic growth this year.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As announced at Budget 2022, Singapore is bringing forward its net-zero timeline "by or around mid-century", as part of the green initiatives. The biggest highlight was probably carbon taxes that were introduced in 2019 at S$5 per tonne of emissions and will be raised to S$25 per tonne in 2024 and 2025. Wong Wai Meng, SGTech Chair & CEO, Keppel Data Centres  shares how this new carbo...

In our Regional Roundup, Leslie Lopez, Regional Correspondent, Straits Times  discuss the expansion of the EU sanctions on Myanmar's military junta to include several key officials and four entities tied to the regime, Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad's scathing attack on Najib Razak in a letter to Johor voters, Indonesia's plan to reduce their reliance on foreign vaccines, an...

In this morning's  The Breakfast Brief,  we discuss the US's sweeping sanctions on the major Russian bank VEB and its military bank, Germany halting the certification of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline designed to bring natural gas from Russia directly to Europe, how Russia’s Ukraine incursion could complicate the Federal Reserve’s interest rate decisions, and more.  See...

Timothy Ho, Managing Editor & Co-Founder, Dollars and Sense discusses what will be the sectors and stocks to keep an eye on, that will likely be impacted by the latest policies announced in Singapore's Budget 2022. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Synopsis: The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in China in this weekly podcast. The Straits Times' China bureau chief Tan Dawn Wei chats with Money FM 89.3's Elliot Danker and Bharati Jagdish. Highlights (click/tap above): 00:29 China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi calls for negotiations to avoid major conflict over Ukraine 02:26 Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison demands a full in...

Speaking at Budget 2022,  Finance Minister Lawrence Wong also adds that Singapore has a “window of opportunity” over the next few years to establish leading positions in key market segments. The first priority, he said, is to “strengthen” Singapore’s digital capabilities. Nicholas Lee, SGTech Councillor, and First Vice Chair of SGTech’s Digital Transformati...

At his Budget 2022 announcement, Finance Minister Lawrence Wong said that Singapore will upgrade its broadband infrastructure, with the view of increasing broadband access speeds by about 10 times over the next few years. Han Chon, Managing Director, ASEAN, Nutanix  shares why there is a huge importance to move even faster when it comes to upgrading our future technologies and how Singaporean...

In this morning's  The Breakfast Brief,  we discuss President Joe Biden plan to order sanctions on separatist regions of Ukraine, renewed fears over Beijing's potential roll out more restrictions for private enterprise, and what to look out for this Twos-day.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From deciphering China’s stand when it comes to the Russia-Ukraine tension, to their latest spat with Australia and lastly, the possibility of China hosting the World Cup,  Tan Dawn Wei, China Bureau Chief, The Straits Times  gives an analysis of it all.  Follow The Straits Times' Asian Insider Podcast channel - co-produced with Money FM 89.3 - like us and rate us: Channel:&nb...

Synopsis: The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in the United States in this weekly podcast.  Steve Okun, senior advisor, McLarty Associates, stands in for The Straits Times' US bureau chief Nirmal Ghosh who is on leave, and he chats with Money FM 89.3's Elliot Danker and Bharati Jagdish about the following points: Highlights (click/tap above): 00:56 Heightened fears of a conflic...

The theme for Singapore Budget 2022 is “charting our way forward together” – pointing to a post-Covid-19 budget. And as with any budget announcement, there were key announcements that would impact Singaporeans and businesses here.  Harvey Koenig, Partner, Energy & Natural Resources, Telecommunications, Media & Technology, Tax, KPMG in Singapore , Alvin Liew, Senior E...

From heightened fears of a conflict in Ukraine after reports of an escalation in fighting in the eastern part of the country, to Donald Trump's 0-3 defeat in three high-profile legal battles, Steve Okun, Senior Advisor, McLarty Associates  gives an analysis of it all.    Follow The Straits Times' Asian Insider Podcast channel - co-produced with Money FM 89.3 - like us and rate us: C...

In this morning's The Breakfast Brief  we discuss the reactions of Singapore's recent Budget 2022 and break down what analysts see as the main winners and losers from the budget.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the months leading up, Singapore has outlined the need to raise current prices of around $5 per tonne, likely to a previously announced rate of $10 to $15 tonne with effect from 2024. Nuomon Han, Senior Consultant, Wood Mackenzie  discuss how governments should price the cost of carbon emissions to ensure the effective influence of investment decisions and what needs to be done to manage c...

As Singapore prepares for new international tax rules, there is room to consider how fiscal tools should be introduced to attract and anchor businesses here, while at the same time scope out the effectiveness of current and future tax incentives. Mark Addy, Partner, Energy & Natural Resources, Telecommunications, Media & Technology, Tax, KPMG in Singapore  shares more about KPMG's pro...

Mr Lawrence Wong will put on a different hat as Finance Minister as he delivers his first Budget statement, one which is expected to include measures to put Singapore on a surer footing for the post-Covid-19 future. Vikram Khanna, Associate Editor, The Straits Times  shares what we can expect from Budget 2022 and how Budget 2022 will give Singaporeans 'confidence' to embrace our journey forwa...

With Singapore's Covid-19 rules being simplified, some restrictions will be lifted in the coming weeks. Safe management measures will be streamlined to focus on five areas; group sizes, mask-wearing, workplace rules, safe distancing and capacity limits.  Dr Asok Kurup, Infectious Disease Expert, Mount Elizabeth Hospital shares where Singapore is at right now in its journey towards endemic and...

In this morning's  The Breakfast Brief,  we discuss the effect of the intensifying geopolitical risks with the Ukraine situation on Wall Street and what is expected to feature in Singapore's upcoming budget 2022.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Synopsis: On the third Friday of every month, The Straits Times examines various facets of the US-China rivalry and its implications for Asia.  Eileen Gu, an 18-year-old San Francisco-born skier, known in China by her Chinese name Ailing, has won hearts with her Beijing-accented Mandarin. Eileen had competed for the United States team when she was younger but switched to compete for China in 2019....

Abhilash Narayan, Senior Investment Strategist, Standard Chartered Private Bank discusses what to read into the latest January FOMC meeting minutes, and how recent data points since then around inflation and jobs data are likely to add more pressure on the Fed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Looks like Singapore is taking the next step in reopening its borders slowly once again. Announced recently, from February 25, vaccinated travellers will be able to fly into Singapore from Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE without quarantine, following an expansion in the VTL scheme.  Robert Martin, Managing Director and CEO, BOC Aviation  shares the kind of opportunities that will be...

In this morning's  The Breakfast Brief,  we discuss some of the highlights coming out of the FOMC meeting, effects of the tensions between Russia and US over Ukraine on energy and oil prices, OCBC's new kill switch measure implemented to protect customers from scams, and more.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.