Survey Shows Lower Optimism For Singapore’s Growth
The Singapore Business Federation’s (SBF) National Business Survey 2025 – Manpower and Wages Edition, released on August 28, reveals Singapore businesses’ bearish outlook on the current state of the economy. Businesses are lowering revenue and profitability expectations, and holding off expansion and hiring due to the uncertain macroeconomic outlook. More companies expect conditions to worsen […]
Understanding GST Registration Obligations
TAKEAWAYS Goods and Services Tax (GST) registration obligations have always been a significant compliance risk area for businesses. As financial professionals and tax practitioners, effective GST registration advisory requires a good understanding of the rules governing both retrospective and prospective registration obligations. Assisting clients to systematically monitor their taxable turnover and identify registration triggers early […]
Taming The Machine
TAKEAWAYS Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is no longer waiting for an invitation to the audit room but has firmly taken root at the audit table. The conversation has shifted from whether to use this transformative technology to how to deploy it in a manner that is testable, defensible, and carefully aligned with professional standards. The […]
Break Traditional Templates Of Leadership
TAKEAWAYS Leadership, we’re often told, is about standing out, taking charge and organising effectively to deliver results. Most new leaders step into that established template and try to bring it to life in their daily work, only to hear complaints that their leadership style is too focused on the products and the numbers, and too […]
Best Practices Of Asset-Based Community Development
TAKEAWAYS In a previous article, I explored the necessity of a shift in Singapore’s approach to community development in response to evolving societal demands. In this article, I build upon that discussion by introducing a practical framework for implementing asset-based community development (ABCD), tailored to the Singapore context. Before delving into the specifics of the […]
Asia Making Inroads In Innovation
Asian countries are making their presence felt in the innovation space, and stamping their marks among the traditional global giants. In the latest Global Innovation Index 2025 (GII 2025) released on 16 September 2025, three Asian countries are in the global top 10 list. South Korea is ranked fourth; Singapore, fifth; and China, 10th. Other […]
Tax Environment In Japan And Korea
TAKEAWAYS In the dynamic landscape of international tax, staying updated on the latest trends in tax audits and dispute resolution is essential for professionals navigating cross-border transactions. Based on a recent seminar organised by the Singapore Chartered Tax Professionals and facilitated by Ryutaro Oka, Partner, and Luke Tanner, Partner, Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise); Jangwoon […]
ISCA’s Global Talent Programme 2025 (Part 5 Of 6)
TAKEAWAYS As part of an exciting industry engagement project, our team had the opportunity to dive deep into a real-world problem statement posed by Grab, Southeast Asia’s leading super-app. The problem statement revolved around one of the most complex and fast-evolving frontiers in mobility – autonomous vehicles (AVs). Our task was to analyse Grab’s potential […]
Singapore’s AML/CFT Framework For Virtual Assets
TAKEAWAYS Singapore has emerged as a regional hub for digital finance, attracting virtual asset service providers (VASPs) seeking a regulatory environment that balances innovation and oversight. The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), through its licensing and supervisory powers under the Payment Services Act 2019 (PSA), has implemented a comprehensive anti-money laundering, countering the financing of […]
Singapore Firms Looking At Stablecoins To Support Overseas Expansion
In Singapore, more businesses are looking at stablecoins as viable alternatives to traditional cross-border payments, to support their overseas expansion plans, according to a poll by payment services provider Stripe, at its annual conference in Singapore on August 20. “Asia is showing extraordinary resilience and focusing on international growth,” said Sarita Singh, Regional Head and […]
