Ideas

Few will argue that a great product or service is one that solves the most pressing problems for consumers at the best value for money and with the highest quality. A consumer study found that post-pandemic, consumers in Singapore also care deeply about the way brands treat the environment and community, as well as their attitudes towards racial and economic disparities. Sixty percent surveyed expect “brands to be purpose-driven, going beyond profits and transactional relationships, to demonstrate trustworthiness, empathy, shared values, and care for society.” Against this backdrop, it has become imperative for businesses to consciously and intentionally incorporate social purpose and…

The combination of longevity and a decline in birthrate engenders a pressing economic and social need for innovation. Although population ageing poses a double whammy to public spending and productivity, a technology-driven silver economy ecosystem is poised to meet the unique demands of an ageing population.

Drawing on the Russia-Ukraine war, we observe that ESG framework is not set in stone and will be evolving based on changing global landscape. The ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) community was flabbergasted and alarmed at talks on labelling weapons as sustainable ESG assets with the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine war. Supporters justified this by claiming weapons maintain peace and “are of key importance to uphold and defend democracy, freedom, stability and human rights”. And this may not be the first time ESG investing is dealing with such controversial debate, with industries and companies moving from outcast to hero status…

A good ecosystem is built on the five pillars of startups, risk capital, institutes of higher learning, corporations, and public agencies. It is underscored by the community and expanded through internationalization. Singapore’s past two decades of driving entrepreneurship through a public-private partnership in the form of the Action Community for Entrepreneurship (ACE) have seen many unicorns created and anchored in Singapore, funded by top local and international investors, founded and staffed by graduates of IHLs, helped by and helping corporations, and largely aided by friendly rules and regulations. Strong relationships between Vietnam and Singapore at many levels have seen both…

Connected fitness, wearables, and sustainable spaces demonstrate the advancements of South Korea’s creative economy. The digital and creative industries are at a crossroads, with the global COVID-19 pandemic providing an unavoidable backdrop in its trajectory. The creative industry in Southeast Asia thrived even before the pandemic. Singapore is the world’s tenth largest exporter of creative goods—products from areas like film, art, music, and crafts—generating USD 743 billion in profits and 12.7 million jobs. Thailand and the Philippines are also committed to growing their creative economy, establishing the Thailand Creative Economy Agency (CEA) and filing the Philippines Creative Industries Act. South…