Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong

Taiwan has confirmed that it will end its mandatory Covid-19 quarantine for travellers from Oct 13, in its latest step to reopen to tourists. In The Straits Times’ The Big Story, Multimedia Correspondent Cheow Sue-Ann speaks with ST correspondent Yip Wai Yee about this development. She also recommends interesting new places travellers to the island can visit. See omnystudio.com/listener for privac...

It’s been a rather painful week for markets so far, as investors mull the risks of a recession amid interest rate hikes by major central banks around the world last week.  In the US, the broad-based S&P 500, for one, registered a new closing low for 2022, while the Dow slipped into a bear market earlier this week. Away from the US, the British Sterling hit a record low earlier this week, after...

Sustainability has become a salient topic in recent years as more business stakeholders, such as investors and customers, pay closer attention to the impact of sustainable practices on their ecosystem and business operations. The increased interest and awareness also mean more job opportunities in the sustainability space as well as demand for labour with the relevant skills. In the Spotlight on P...

According to a study by UOB, Singaporeans have the most finance-related worries in the South-east Asian region, amid expectations of rising household expenses and higher inflation.  Prime Time’s Bharati Jagdish speaks with Dean Tong, Head, Group Human Resources, UOB to find out what else Singaporeans are most stressed about, and if that has something to do with the workplace.  See omnystudio.com/l...

Singapore’s central bank and regulator was never under any illusions about the price volatility of cryptocurrencies and has always cautioned that cryptocurrencies are not suitable as investments for retail investors. In the Spotlight on Prime Time, Bharati Jagdish speaks with Vincent Chok, CEO of tech-driven financial institution, First Digital, as they take a closer look at what regulators should...

Following the rejuvenation plans for Changi and Paya Lebar, what can homebuyers look forward to in the eastern region of Singapore? And following the Ministry of National Development’s first Forward Singapore engagement session on public housing, what issues need to be addressed during conversations on public housing? Prime Time’s Bharati Jagdish speaks with Eugene Lim, Key Executive Officer, ERA...

The number of permanent residency issued in Singapore last year was the highest in a decade. This was revealed in the Government's annual Population in Brief report on Tuesday (27 Sep).  In the Straits Times The Big Story, Multimedia journalist, Cheow Sue-Ann spoke with Walter Theseira, Associate Professor of Economics at the Singapore University of Social Sciences , on the findings of the report....

Digital transformation is on our agenda today. On that note, did you know that Temasek has partnered with infotech company UST to set up a startup that provides digital transformation solutions for Temasek portfolio companies and government agencies?  Called Temus, the startup has grown to a 200-strong workforce since it launched last year, with ambitions to expand five-fold over the next three ye...

In the Spotlight on Prime Time this week, Bharati Jagdish speaks with Rob Hugh-Jones, Editor at the BBC in London,  on several global news making headlines this week. First they touched on reactions to the UK’s mini-budget, where the British pound tumbled to a record low as traders scampered for the exits on speculation that the new government’s economic plan will stretch its finances to the limit...

Singapore’s inflation has hit the  highest level  in 14 years, while Japan’s inflation trend measures have just reached a  record high .  As businesses watch inflation numbers rise month after month, what can they do to fight back beyond raising prices on customers? Prime Time’s Bharati Jagdish spoke with Amitabh Sarkar, Vice President and Head of Asia Pacific and Japan for Enterprise, Tata Commun...

The British pound tumbled to a record low yesterday, prompting speculation of an emergency response from the Bank of England. In The Straits Times’ The Big Story, Multimedia Correspondent Cheow Sue-Ann speaks with Saktiandi Supaat, Regional Head of Forex Research and Strategy at Maybank on the implications for consumers in Singapore. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Business transformation is on our agenda this week, and we start off by looking at how trade associations and chambers are helping firms in Singapore transform their businesses to become more sustainable and green.  On this note, the Singapore Business Federation has recently launched a new MAP initiative to chart out a pathway to guide companies through every stage of their decarbonisation journe...

Synopsis: Every Tuesday, The Straits Times analyses Singapore's latest news and announcements.  The Straits Times' Zakir Hussain, Singapore editor at The Straits Times, speaks with Money FM 89.3's Bharati Jagdish. Soaring property prices are forcing people in Singapore, especially the younger generation, to abandon all hope of owning a home.  This was among many topics being discussed at the Minis...

From replacing fossil fuels with more sustainable alternatives to going electric where possible, it seems like the Singapore Formula 1 Grand Prix is kicking climate action into higher gear.  In the Spotlight on Prime Time, Bharati Jagdish speaks with Roberto Grilli, General Manager, DZ Engineering SRL - who has helped to light up F1 Grand Prix races and will continue to do so for Singapore’s race...

Sustainable manufacturing is not just about net zero. How can businesses support their long-term sustainability goals? The manufacturing sector will get more help to go green, with new SkillsFuture courses on sustainability by tech giant HP and SIM. Prime Time's Bharati Jagdish speaks with Ng Tian Chong, Managing Director of Greater Asia, HP to find out more.  See omnystudio.com/listener for priva...

We’re going to be talking all about your cup of coffee or tea today! Traditionally, coffee's hand brewed by coffee brewers or baristas, but some enterprising firms are coming up with machines that can do the job.  They say this can standardise the taste of the coffee you drink, and reduce training costs for staff.  Investors seem to be liking this idea. Earlier, a company called Crown Digital - be...

Two popular travel destinations, Japan and Hong Kong are both easing their border restrictions.  Japan will allow independent travellers, and will remove the cap on arrivals. Hong Kong will abolish mandatory hotel quarantine. Travellers will only be required to go through a period of home medical surveillance. In The Straits Times’ The Big Story, Multimedia correspondent Cheow Sue-Ann speaks with...

It’s been a busy week for central banks, and of course a week filled with anxiety for us investors. For one thing, the Fed has raised interest rates by yet another 75 basis points in a bid to prevent price increases from being entrenched in the US economy. But perhaps what’s more interesting is where the Fed see the US economy going and what it wants to do in the future. That’s especially so as th...

A tracker has revealed that “10 countries have fully launched a digital currency, with China’s pilot set to expand in 2023.” But last month, Japan’s central bank scrapped its CBDC plans due to lack of interest from the public. In the Spotlight on Prime Time, Bharati Jagdish speaks with Manuel Jaeger, Co-Founder and Head of Digital Assets at ADDX on this class of digital assets, and how it differs...

The busiest diplomatic week of the year is underway as world leaders gather this week in New York to address the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly. The war in Ukraine, climate change and nuclear disarmament are likely to dominate speeches and discussions during the annual gathering at the UN headquarters. With Russian President Vladimir Putin announcing a partial mobilization and...

The US Federal Reserve has raised its benchmark rate to the highest level in 14 years in an attempt to crush surging inflation. In The Straits Times’ The Big Story, Multimedia journalist Hairianto Dirman speaks to Senior business correspondent Chor Khieng Yuit as she explains how consumers and businesses in Singapore will be affected as the Fed grows more hawkish, and more hikes are expected. See...

As global financial markets continue to take a beating, some investors are looking for alternative investments to shore themselves against a potential recession.  And it seems like private equity real estate assets have been gaining some attention as an investment vehicle that is expected to offer some stability against economic headwinds.  But why is this the case and which geographical markets s...

The trend of employees choosing to not go above and beyond their jobs in ways that include refusing to answer emails during evenings or weekends, or skipping extra assignments that fall outside their core duties, is catching on, especially among Gen Zers. In the Spotlight on Prime Time, Bharati Jagdish speaks with Carrie Tan, Selfwork and Transformation Coach from Lightbearers, and a Member of Par...

As employees and jobseekers continue to pick up digital competencies to remain agile and relevant in the increasingly digital world, what are the right skills to survive in this changing digital landscape? And what should you look out for if you’re planning a mid-career switch to the tech industry? Prime Time's Bharati Jagdish speaks with Daphney Chew, Project Manager, Speech and Audio, TikTok and...

Even after the crypto markets crashed this year, there are still a number of people who believe there’s a future for digital assets and blockchain technology.  Prime Time’s Bharati Jagdish speaks with a former head of fintech at the Bank of England and currently Director of CBDCs and Financial Market Infrastructure at Fireblocks, a provider of crypto custody technology , Varun Paul, about Central...