FEATURED NEWS
- October 17, 2025Business
Thai Union to Shift Mackerel Sourcing to Protect At-Risk Atlantic Stocks
Thai Union Group today announced proactive plans to diversify its mackerel sourcing, taking a direct step to alleviate pressure on the at-risk Northeast Atlantic mackerel stock (Scomber scombrus). Beginning in 2026, the company will shift its focus toward more abundant and sustainable mackerel species, such as Scomber colias. This move, part of Thai Union’s SeaChange® 2030 sustainability strategy, directly responds to new scientific advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) urging for a significant reduction in catches of Scomber scombrus to protect the long-term health of the species. In addition to its own sourcing changes, Thai Union continues to advocate for wider industry action as an active member of the North Atlantic Pelagics Advocacy Group (NAPA). NAPA, a coalition of seafood businesses and organizations, is calling on the coastal nations managing the fishery to set catch quotas that align with scientific recommendations during their negotiations later this month.
- October 17, 2025Business
Next step towards responsible fashion: Indorama Ventures launches deja™ Care for soft-skin applications
Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited, a global sustainable chemical company, launches a new skin-friendly range of PET fibers and filament yarns for apparel, tested against 17 harmful chemicals and certified to standards like OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, DIN EN 71-3, and ISO 17294-2. Under the product brand deja™ Care, the company uses more environmentally friendly chemicals during the PET polymerization process. That enables customers and brand owners offer skin-sensitive solutions like certified maternity wear, underwear, infant and children’s wear, school uniforms, or simply essential fashion that touches consumers’ skin every day. All deja Care fibers and yarns are manufactured in fully integrated, in-house facilities in Asia, ensuring end-to-end control and traceability. Having already proven their performance in hygiene applications like baby wipes & diapers, these products now offer apparel brands a clear path towards responsible fashion. Fabric makers also benefit from cleaner, thus less polluting wastewater and lower sludge generation and disposal during fabric manufacturing. That supports more eco-friendly production practices. Brand owners and fabric producers who are interested in certified quality and environmental stewardship as much as a growing number of consumers is - are encouraged to talk to their account manager or send a note to enquiry.fibers[at]indorama.net. More about the full deja fibers portfolio, including recycled and bio-based solutions, is available here .
- October 16, 2025Business
Atturra Joins Oracle’s Partner Program
On 7th October 2025, Atturra announced it has joined Oracle’s enhanced partner program. For more than 40 years, Oracle has been working closely with partners to help drive joint customer success and business momentum. By joining the Oracle partner program, Atturra can strengthen its Oracle-related knowledge and help even more customers simplify, modernize, and accelerate transformation across applications, infrastructure, data, and automation. Atturra will combine its deep vertical market industry expertise with Oracle solutions to help customers drive their digital transformation initiatives. Atturra can also increase transparency by providing enhanced data visibility across financial, operational, and customer data, streamline service delivery, and enable data-driven strategies that help organisations make informed decisions, build trust, reduce costs, and maximise impact. In addition, Atturra will leverage its existing end-to-end solutions across business applications, integration, cloud, and managed services to help organisations migrate from legacy systems to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) and Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications . These migrations is designed to help organizations across verticals, including public sector, education, healthcare, financial services, utilities, and manufacturing, drive operational efficiency, increase the speed and accuracy of enterprise processes, and achieve better business outcomes. Roger Jackson, General Manager – Oracle Practice, Atturra, said: “Becoming a member of the Enhanced Oracle PartnerNetwork is a significant step forward for Atturra in offering a full-stack Oracle capability – not just ERP, but complete, integrated Oracle project delivery. Collaborating with Oracle will enhance our ability to help clients modernise their systems, optimise operations, and achieve sustainable digital transformation. Public and private sector organisations in Australia on their Oracle journey can trust Atturra’s local experts, cross-practice insights, and sovereign delivery engine purpose-built for Australia and New Zealand.” Atturra also plans to work with customers to strengthen their governance, security, and operational resilience. This includes providing best-practice frameworks for data protection, supporting compliance with Australian regulatory requirements, and helping organisations establish sustainable innovation models to accelerate time-to-value for future AI, automation, and cloud-native operations. By joining Oracle’s enhanced partner program , Atturra has opportunities to achieve Oracle designations, which can help validate its skills and capabilities around specific products, services, industries, and geographies. Partners achieve Oracle Expertise by meeting a series of qualifiers that underscore the potential impact to customer success. Atturra looks forward to taking advantage of these exclusive benefits to help further differentiate its offerings in the marketplace. Click here for more information on our Oracle services.
- October 16, 2025Business
Pact Packaging NZ Named on the NEXT List for Transformative Leadership
Pact Packaging New Zealand has been recognised for Transformative Leadership by being named on the NEXT list in the 2025 Sustainable Business Awards. The Sustainable Business Awards, now in their 23rd year, shine a light on those who are working to solve environmental and social challenges. The Transformative Leadership category recognises organisations who are imagining a regenerative, circular economy and taking real steps to make it a reality. Deanne Holdsworth, Executive General Manager for Pact Packaging New Zealand, says “our inclusion on the NEXT List reflects the vision and commitment of our entire team. Our vision, which is to lead New Zealand with sustainable solutions for our customers, teams and partners, is not just words on a page. We believe in creating value for our local circular economy by eliminating packaging waste and creating a future where materials are valued and reused. Our goals are ambitious: by 2030, we aim to produce only recyclable packaging and reach an average of 50% recycled content across our portfolio. Ambitious goals require granularity in planning to ensure that our current sustainability journey continues. It’s not just what we do – it’s how we do it that gives our journey purpose. We’ve led the way with circular packaging innovations—introducing Australasia’s first PET tray-to-tray recycling system and the first milk bottles made with recycled content. We’ve actively created solutions and replaced hard-to-recycle materials and invested in local manufacturing to keep resources circulating. Our team doesn’t just deliver—we advocate, collaborate, and support stewardship programmes that drive real change across many sectors. We are both proud & grateful that our efforts to foster kaitiakitanga — guardianship of the environment — are being recognised. We know there is always more to do, and we are committed to this journey – and how we can change and improve. We are proud to be part of a movement that is not only transforming our industry but also helping to shape a more sustainable future for Aotearoa. Being named on the NEXT List is a proud moment for our team, and we are inspired by the other finalists and by everyone working to build a more sustainable future for Aotearoa New Zealand.” Learn more about some of our journey here
- October 16, 2025Technology
Weebit Nano to present at Semiconductor Australia 2025
Weebit Nano Limited (ASX:WBT, Weebit), a leading developer and licensor of advanced memory technologies for the global semiconductor industry, advises CEO Coby Hanoch will be presenting in-person at leading industry conference Semiconductor Australia 2025 at 11.15am AEDT on Wednesday, 22 October 2025. Mr Hanoch is also a panellist on the Chip Diplomacy expert roundtable at 8.30am. Eran Briman, Weebit’s VP Marketing & Business Development, will also be available to meet with investors at the company’s booth. Semiconductor Australia brings together the nation’s deep-tech innovators, industry experts, policy makers, and the investor community to explore opportunities to secure Australia’s semiconductor future. Participants will hear from ASX-listed and private semiconductor, quantum, defence and photonics companies about the unique investment opportunity Australia’s homegrown industry presents. The one-day conference includes keynote presentations from internationally recognised engineer, scientist and entrepreneur Dr Simon Poole AO and Australia’s former Chief Scientist Dr Cathy Foley as well as five expert roundtable sessions. The conference is being held at Ilumina, 1 Elizabeth Street Sydney. Investors can register to attend in-person or virtually at: https://www.semiconductoraustralia.com/info About Weebit Nano Limited Weebit Nano Ltd. is a leading developer and licensor of advanced semiconductor memory technology. The company’s ground-breaking Resistive RAM (ReRAM) addresses the growing need for significantly higher performance and lower power memory solutions in a range of new electronic products such as Internet of Things (IoT) devices, smartphones, robotics, autonomous vehicles, 5G communications and artificial intelligence. Weebit’s ReRAM allows semiconductor memory elements to be significantly faster, less expensive, more reliable and more energy efficient than those using existing flash memory solutions. As it is based on fab-friendly materials, Weebit ReRAM can be integrated within existing flows and processes faster and easier than other emerging technologies, without requiring special equipment or large investments. See: www.weebit-nano.com -ENDS- For further information please contact: Investors Media – Australia Danny Younis, Automic Markets Jasmine Walters, Automic Markets P: +61 420 293 042 P: +61 498 209 019 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Weebit Nano and the Weebit Nano logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Weebit Nano Ltd. in the United States and other countries. Other company, product, and service names may be trademarks or service marks of others.
- October 15, 2025Education
Taylor’s 16th TTLC 2025 Champions AI and Sustainable Learning Innovation
The 16th Taylor’s Teaching and Learning Conference (TTLC 2025), hosted by Centre for Future Learning, Taylor’s University, marked a defining moment in higher education as it brought together international academics, researchers, policymakers, and industry practitioners to explore the theme ‘Higher Education in the Age of AI: Transforming Learning for Sustainable Futures.’ Building on a strong legacy of innovation, TTLC 2025 introduced deliberate shifts to align with emerging global priorities, including the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), curriculum innovation, and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) as a core educational purpose. The conference reflected Taylor’s continued commitment to transforming education for societal progress while expanding its international footprint and cross-sector engagement. This year’s edition celebrated several milestones, including the launch of the International Conference by YB Dato’ Seri Diraja Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, Minister of Higher Education, who also conferred the prestigious Self-Accreditation Status (SWA) on Taylor’s University, marking a major achievement in the institution’s academic journey. The conference also featured the participation of a student leader as a forum panellist, underscoring a growing emphasis on student voices within academic discourse. Together, these elements reinforced TTLC’s evolution into a globally connected and strategically positioned platform for higher education transformation. A Vision for the Future of Learning Three keynote addresses anchored the conference, each presenting a distinct yet complementary vision for the future of education. Professor Charles Hopkins , UNESCO Chair in Reorienting Education towards Sustainability at York University, Canada, called on universities to move beyond producing employable graduates and focus instead on nurturing ethical and socially responsible individuals who contribute to the common good. He urged institutions to adopt a whole-institution approach that embeds sustainable development principles in curricula, governance, research, and campus culture. His address emphasised that education must equip students to meet the global challenge of ensuring ‘enough for all, forever,’ and advocated for youth empowerment through co-created learning experiences and active participation in decision-making. Professor Danny Liu from the University of Sydney explored how AI is transforming teaching and assessment practices. He encouraged educators to rethink the purpose of education, shifting the focus from ‘stuff’ (content and knowledge) to ‘skills’ and ‘soul’ — developing self-awareness, resilience, and lifelong learning abilities. Professor Liu introduced the ‘Two-Lane Assessment Model,’ a balanced framework combining supervised assessments for rigour with open assessments that allow flexible and ethical integration of AI tools, ensuring education remains both relevant and human-centred. Meanwhile, Professor Ong Yew Soon from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, delved into the power of AI and gamification in driving authentic learning experiences. He highlighted how fostering curiosity and passion among learners is key to lifelong learning in an AI-driven world. His presentation showcased how gamified and AI-supported learning platforms can create purpose, engagement, and authenticity, particularly for Gen Z learners. He also urged educators to adopt responsible and ethical approaches to AI, equipping graduates with the literacy needed to navigate the information age while maintaining integrity and social responsibility. Reimagining Higher Education in the AI Era The forum session, ‘Higher Education in the Age of AI: Transforming Learning for Sustainable Futures,’ brought together a distinguished panel comprising Professor Dr Darren Bagnall, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Taylor’s University (Panel Moderator); Professor Ts Dr Zaidatun Tasir, Senate Member, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia; Associate Professor Dr Logendra Stanley Ponniah, Head, School of Education, Taylor’s University; Associate Professor Dr Lim Chee Leong, Senior Director, Learning Innovation and Development, Taylor’s University; and Tisha Amadea, Director of Events Management, Agent of Tech, Taylor’s University. The discussion underscored that AI is no longer a peripheral tool but a transformative force reshaping learning, assessment, and institutional strategy. While AI enhances personalisation and efficiency, participants stressed that the biggest barriers to adoption are not technological, but institutional — involving resistance to change, lack of staff readiness, and the need for clear governance and problem-solving frameworks. The forum also reimagined assessment design, urging a shift from judgement-based evaluations to those that focus on growth, creativity, and ethical reasoning. It introduced a vision for future-ready assessments that are learning-oriented, authentic, participatory, and ethically responsible, while reminding educators that human feedback through empathy, mentorship, and emotional intelligence remains irreplaceable. The final insight emphasised the need for human-centred, purpose-driven education in the AI era. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into higher education, the forum highlighted that emotional connection, cultural understanding, and human interaction must remain the cornerstone of learning experiences. Research That Redefines the Future of Learning TTLC 2025 spotlighted groundbreaking research with the potential to reshape how teaching and learning evolve across Malaysia and the region. Among the award-winning works, three stood out for their depth, originality, and lasting influence. Professor Ts Dr Chockalingam Aravind Vaithilingam from Taylor’s University presented ‘Sustainable Impact Through Living Labs’ a study that reimagines how education can drive tangible change. By integrating cross-disciplinary projects into the curriculum, the research showed how Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) can generate measurable environmental and social outcomes while enriching student learning through real-world engagement. From the British University Vietnam, Mr Darius Postma’s ‘AI Assessment Scale (AIAS)’ offered a timely framework for embedding generative AI ethically and transparently into academic practice. His work underscored the importance of structured faculty training and policy coherence to ensure that AI enhances, rather than undermines, the integrity of learning and assessment. Meanwhile, Dr Subashini K. Rajanthran from the University of the Arts Singapore, in her paper ‘Playful Pedagogy in Assessment,’ challenged conventional evaluation methods by demonstrating how role-play, games, and creative simulations can deepen understanding, spark imagination, and build more engaging classroom experiences. Where Sustainability, AI, and Humanity Meet Across TTLC 2025, recurring themes revealed how the boundaries of higher education are being redefined through interdisciplinary thinking and shared purpose. Sustainability was no longer discussed as a purely environmental pursuit but reframed as a moral and societal responsibility — one that connects governance, curriculum design, research, and youth empowerment in a holistic vision for the future. At the same time, Artificial Intelligence emerged as a transformative force, as highlighted by Professor Darren Bagnall, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic) of Taylor’s University, in his remarks on the evolving role of universities in the age of AI. He noted that institutions must rethink how teaching, learning, and assessment evolve without losing sight of what makes education inherently human. The dialogue underscored that technology should serve as an enabler of empathy, creativity, and ethical awareness, rather than a replacement for them. Equally significant was the call for transdisciplinary collaboration. Educators and researchers were encouraged to move beyond disciplinary boundaries and draw from diverse knowledge systems, from Indigenous wisdom to gamified learning and student co-creation, to design more inclusive, human-centred futures. These intersecting ideas reflected a shared conviction that the future of higher education will be shaped by the meaningful convergence of sustainability, technology, and humanity. Looking Ahead to TTLC 2026 While TTLC 2025 made significant strides in advancing dialogue on sustainability, AI, and curriculum innovation, the chairperson of the Conference, Associate Professor Dr Lydia Foong, recognised that the conversation is far from complete. There remains a growing need to engage more deeply with diversity and inclusivity, particularly in how higher education institutions can better support neurodivergent learners, culturally and linguistically diverse students, and multilingual learning environments. Building on this momentum, TTLC 2026 will broaden its focus to champion inclusive, ethical, and sustainable learning ecosystems that reflect the evolving realities of global education. This next iteration will extend dialogue on digital ethics, well-being, and collaboration across disciplines, ensuring that technological innovation in education remains guided by humanity, equity, and ethical responsibility. As the conference drew to a close, one question resonated among participants, a challenge that will continue to shape future dialogues: How can we ethically harness the power of AI while embedding sustainability, inclusion, and purpose at the heart of transformative education?
- October 15, 2025Business
Coles grants $250,000 to Little Athletics Centres as participation jumps
Aspiring athletes and community volunteers will benefit from $250,000 in grants this season from the Coles Little Athletics Community Fund as Little Athletics record a high jump in participation numbers. Today, Coles announced the 72 grassroots Little Athletics Centres who will share in $250,000 to purchase much needed sports, safety and volunteer equipment, including high jump mats, defibrillators and laptops. The announcement comes as Little Athletics Australia revealed a 16% jump in participation over the past 12 months1, with the biggest increase recorded in the Little Athletics Tiny Tots program for 3 to 5-year-olds, which rose by 33%2. In the past five seasons, Little Athletics has grown by more than 40% to over 96,000 Aussie kids and a further 74,000 community volunteers, coaches and officials, making it one of the most participated junior sports programs in Australia. A significant contributor to this surge in participation was Australia’s success at the Paris Olympics and represented the third-highest post-Olympics growth in the past 40 years (behind London 2012 and Sydney 2000). And now, with a home Olympic Games on the horizon, Coles is backing Little Athletics for a further three years by renewing its partnership with the iconic Australian sporting program. Coles kicked off its partnership extension with Little Athletics by launching two exciting initiatives to support grassroots clubs and centres – the annual Banana A-Peel, a national fundraiser whereby 5 cents from every kilo of Cavendish bananas sold at Coles until 21 October will be donated to Little Athletics Australia to a maximum donation of $150,0003, and the revamped Coles Little Athletics Tiny Tots, a modified athletics program for kids as young as three. Three-time Olympian and Coles ambassador Brandon Starc returned to his junior club, Parramatta City Little Athletics to unveil the centre’s new high jump mat, which was purchased with a $5,000 grant from the Coles Little Athletics Community Fund. The Australian high jump record holder and Commonwealth Games gold and silver medallist said he was delighted to see the ongoing growth of Little Athletics. “Little Athletics is where so many Australian champions get their start, and it’s fantastic to see Coles backing kids from their very first steps on the track. As a father myself, I’m starting to think about which sports to get my kids involved in and Little Athletics is of course on top of the list because both my wife and I have experienced it and know the value and impact it has on kids’ health and social skills,” he said. Little Athletics Australia CEO Myles Foreman said Little Athletics is well positioned to maintain its growth with recent successes on and off the track and field. “Grassroots Little Athletics Centres are the heartbeat of our sport. The sustained upward trend in participation over the past five years is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our 74,000 volunteers across the country, as well as the ongoing efforts of our State and Territory Member Associations who deliver quality programs to thousands of young athletes,” he said. “Last season’s increase in registrations was further boosted by the inspiring performances at the Paris Games, igniting enthusiasm among young athletes and their families. We are hopeful that this momentum will continue following the recent Athletics and Para-Athletics World Championships, where more than 70 former Little Athletes competed on the world stage — including gold medallists Nicola Olyslagers and James Turner.” “Our partnership extension with Coles for a further three years will also help Little Athletics to continue this momentum with resources and opportunities for children of all ages, including our youngest athletes through the Coles Little Athletics Tiny Tots program.” Coles Acting Group Corporate and Indigenous Affairs Officer Jace Armstrong said Coles is extremely proud of its long-standing partnership with Little Athletics. “Coles’ partnership with Little Athletics is built on mutual values and goals to help kids and local communities thrive and grow. Since 2017, Coles has donated more than 6 million bananas and over $2.8 million in sports equipment grants to help kids stay fit and be active. We’re excited to play a role in fostering the next generation of Australian athletes for another three years.” In addition to being the major national partner of Little Athletics Australia, Coles has partnerships with Football Australia’s introductory program, Coles MiniRoos and AFL’s Coles Healthy Kicks to encourage healthy lifestyles and healthier choices for children. For media enquiries, please contact Coles Media Line (03) 9829 5250 or [email protected] or [email protected] 1 2023/24 vs. 2024/25 season comparison in all states and territories except for Northern Territory. 2 Little Athletics Tiny Tots registrations only apply in NSW, Qld, SA, ACT and Tas. 3 5c donation applies from 8/10/25 to 21/10/25.
- October 14, 2025Business
Jetstar customers can take off faster with new passport scanning app feature and Uber partnership
Jetstar customers heading overseas can now check in for flights in seconds by scanning their passport details directly into the Jetstar app. From today, instead of having to manually enter their passport details, customers can use their mobile phone camera to instantly capture their passport details. It means Jetstar will be one of few low-cost carriers in the Asia Pacific to offer the passport scanning feature. The change has been made to reduce passport entry errors and will particularly save time for families and groups checking in. Mobile passport scanning is available on most international routes from today - except for flights to and from Vietnam and flights departing from Fiji, Vanuatu and the Philippines due to local regulations. Fewer steps Jetstar has also reduced the number of steps on the app between starting check-in and issuing a boarding pass. Steps now include: open the Jetstar app and choose to check-in for your international flight confirm the health acknowledgement and dangerous goods requirements scan your passport when prompted add your mobile boarding pass to your phone. Apple Wallet and Google Wallet options are available. Schedule rides in advance with Uber From the 30th of October, Jetstar customers will be able to book an Uber Reserve directly through the Jetstar app, making airport transfers easier than ever. Uber Reserve allows customers to reserve Uber rides from as little as 30 minutes to up to 90 days in advance, offering peace of mind and extra certainty for important trips or occasions. By simply tapping the Uber Reserve icon in the Jetstar app, customers can set their pick up and drop off locations, select the date and time of travel, and choose their preferred vehicle from the options available in their area. An upfront pricing for each ride will be displayed, giving travellers the flexibility to choose an option that best fits their budget. Uber Reserve is available in Australia and New Zealand. To celebrate the launch, Jetstar customers will receive $10 off their first Uber Reserve booking through the Jetstar app until the 30th of November. Jetstar’s Executive Manager, Customer, Jenn Armor said the airline is committed to making low fares travel a breeze. “Our new passport scanning makes international check-in faster and easier, so customers can spend less time typing and more time getting excited for their trip. “Getting to and from the airport is also easier than ever with customers able to access Uber Reserve directly from the Jetstar app – making it a breeze to reserve airport transport in advance. “Travel should feel like a holiday from the moment you open our app. It is your go-to for everything from viewing your flight details and boarding pass to adding extra baggage or seats, all without digging through your email for an itinerary. “It’s the easiest way to stay in control of your trip, wherever you are.” Director of Consumer Operations, Uber Australia and New Zealand, Mathieu Marie said: “We know that getting to and from the airport can be one of the most stressful parts of any trip. “We are excited to partner with Jetstar to integrate Uber Reserve into the Jetstar app, offering travellers more certainty and choice so they can start and end their journey with peace of mind.”
- October 14, 2025Business
Singapore's Office Market Seeing the Beginning of a Bull Run
The Singapore office market continued its upward trajectory in Q3 2025, marking the third consecutive quarter of rental growth, CBRE Research found. Gross effective rents for Core CBD (Grade A) offices rose by 0.8% q-o-q to $12.20 per square foot per month, underpinned by resilient occupier demand and tightening supply. Tricia Song, CBRE Head of Research, Singapore and Southeast Asia, commented, “Despite the prevailing global economic uncertainties, the market has demonstrated remarkable resilience. Vacancy rates in the Core CBD (Grade A) have steadily tightened from 5.9% in Q1 2025 to 5.1% in Q3 2025, reflecting sustained leasing momentum and a relentless flight to quality.” The market’s strength was illustrated in IOI Central Boulevard’s strong performance. This development is the last major Grade A completion in the Core CBD until 2028 and achieved approximately 90% commitment by Q3. This strong take-up is demonstrative of the robust demand for premium office space, especially in the city centre as locations like Marina Bay and Raffles Place remain highly sought-after. Neighbouring submarkets like Marina Centre and Beach Road/City Hall have also outperformed, where less than 3% of space is available at the moment. With several notable deals to close in Q4, Core CBD (Grade A) office space vacancy could fall below 5% by the end of the year. David McKellar, CBRE Head of Office Services, Singapore, observed, “Occupier activity remains broad-based, led by sectors such as banking and finance, transport, government, and agile space operators. Outside the CBD, demand is also strong. Paya Lebar Green, completed earlier this year, is now fully occupied following Visa’s relocation that absorbed the remaining space. This brought vacancy rates in decentralised locations down from 7.9% in Q2 to 6.5% in Q3.” From Q1 to Q3, the market recorded net absorption of approximately 510,000 sq. ft. (excluding stock removed for redevelopment), while office rents have grown 2.1% year-to-date. Mr McKellar added, “Looking ahead, the supply pipeline remains limited, especially for large occupiers seeking 200,000 to 300,000 sq. ft. of contiguous space. Beyond strata and smaller redevelopments, upcoming options are few, with Shaw Tower (2026), Skywaters (2027), Clifford Centre Redevelopment and Comcentre Redevelopment (2028) on the horizon to offer some relief down the line. The tight supply environment is prompting occupiers to accelerate decision-making to secure quality space before availability dwindles further in the short-term.” Ms Song concluded, “CBRE Research maintains its 2025 rental growth forecast of approximately 3%. In fact, there might be potential upside as interest rates ease to support continued occupier activity, and as we see more leases completing in the final quarter.” Office Investments Market on a Similar Trajectory In the investment market, Q3 2025 office deals surged seven-fold q-o-q to $1.794 billion, with the largest transaction of the quarter involving the 55% stake sale of CapitaSpring for $1.045 billion ($2,822 psf). In contrast, Q2 2025 saw transactions involving only strata office units or floors. Michael Tay, CBRE Deputy Managing Director and Head of Capital Markets, Singapore, commented, “The office sector is experiencing a resurgence of positive sentiment, thanks to strong fundamentals: rent growth, complemented by limited future supply. Adding to the positive outlook, the 3-month compounded SORA has fallen to 1.45%, positioning the sector favourably for yield-accretive returns. Buoyed by robust enquiry levels and advanced deal negotiations, we anticipate investment momentum to stay strong through the remainder of the year.” About CBRE Group, Inc. CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBRE), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Dallas, is the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm (based on 2024 revenue). The company has more than 140,000 employees (including Turner & Townsend employees) serving clients in more than 100 countries. CBRE serves clients through four business segments: Advisory (leasing, sales, debt origination, mortgage servicing, valuations); Building Operations & Experience (facilities management, property management, flex space & experience); Project Management (program management, project management, cost consulting); Real Estate Investments (investment management, development). Please visit our website at www.cbre.com .
- October 13, 2025Business
CapitaLand Investment, and its listed and private funds, strengthen ESG leadership positions in 2025 GRESB Real Estate Assessment
Leading global real asset manager CapitaLand Investment Limited (CLI), its listed REITs and business trusts, and private funds demonstrated continued leadership in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, with strong performances in the 2025 GRESB Real Estate Assessment, a global ESG benchmark for the real estate sector. CLI and its listed REITs achieved notable improvements in their GRESB scores from the previous year and received an ‘A’ rating for Public Disclosure. CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust (CICT), CapitaLand China Trust (CLCT) and CapitaLand India Trust (CLINT) maintained their 5-star rating for standing investments, while CLI’s flagship regional core-plus fund, CapitaLand Open End Real Estate Fund (COREF), earned its first 5-star rating. CLI, CapitaLand Ascendas REIT (CLAR) and CapitaLand Ascott Trust (CLAS) were awarded a 4-star rating for standing investments. Notably, CLAS secured the first position in the Listed Hotel, Globally Diversified category for the fifth year, outperforming its peer group. CapitaLand Malaysia Trust (CLMT) also improved its standing in the benchmark, achieving its first 4-star rating, one up from its 3-star rating last year. Additionally, the CapitaLand Ascott Residence Asia Fund II (CLARA II), a value-add private lodging fund under CLI, attained a 4-star rating. Based on their performance, CLI, CICT, CLAS and CLMT will receive interest rate savings from their respective sustainability-linked loans linked to GRESB performance. “CLI, our listed and private funds continue to lead in GRESB, reflecting our commitment to embedding sustainability across the fund management lifecycle – from product development, capital raising and investments to asset and portfolio management,” said Mr. Vinamra Srivastava, Chief Sustainability & Sustainable Investments Officer, CLI. “By aligning sustainability with financial performance, we create tangible long-term value for our investors, including redeploying interest rate savings into sustainability initiatives. As we work towards our 2030 Sustainability Master Plan targets, we remain focused on delivering sustainable returns that benefit all our stakeholders.” Additional ESG Recognitions in 2025 • CLI and CICT maintained their MSCI ESG Rating of ‘AAA’ and ‘AA’ respectively for four consecutive years, while CLAR also retained its ‘AA’ rating for the third consecutive year. CLI remained a constituent of the 2025 MSCI ESG Leaders Index, marking its 12th consecutive year on this list. • CLI and CICT were included in the FTSE4Good Index 2025, marking CapitaLand’s 12th and CICT’s 18th consecutive year of inclusion. • CLAR was on the FTSE4Good Developed Index, while CLMT remained listed on the FTSE4Good Bursa Malaysia Index.
- October 13, 2025Business
MATRADE Bridges Markets and Cultures at The Third Country Training Programme
The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) once again assumes the role of a Training Institution for the Third Country Training Programme (TCTP) 2025: Trade Promotion for African Countries from 8 to 15 October 2025. This year marks the ninth time since 2013, that MATRADE has been involved in TCTP as a Training Institution. The programme, which provides significant training and facilitation for the exchange of valuable knowledge in trade and export promotions, is a tripartite cooperation between MATRADE, Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP) - a unit under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). TCTP is an initiative of the South-South Cooperation, a technical cooperation for knowledge sharing among developing countries. Participants were selected from key export-oriented African nations namely Algeria, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Two observers from The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), were also present to contribute to the overall learning experience. MATRADE’s transformational initiatives have positioned the national trade promotion agency as an ideal organisation to serve as a Training Institution, setting the benchmark as a role model for its counterparts from the African continent. The 8-day programme comprises a seminar entitled Emerging Africa: Tapping into Growth and Opportunities, briefings and industrial visits, emphasising areas such as trade, investment, and sharing sessions by Malaysian industry players in the oil & gas, transport and logistic, renewable energy services, food and beverages, road construction and halal sectors. Dato’ Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, the Chairman of MATRADE, emphasises the importance of Africa as a continent, stating that these emerging markets should not be neglected as they provide vast opportunities for Malaysia’s exports. According to him, "TCTP 2025 will make a profound impact on all participants, from the seamless selection process to the engaging sessions and invaluable networking opportunities, MATRADE's organisation of TCTP is a testament to our ability to deliver a world-class experience to all participants”. Dato’ Seri Reezal Merican added that the programme had not only facilitated valuable business connections but also spotlighted Malaysia's pivotal role as a global trade and investment hub. For the period of five years since 2020, Malaysia’s trade with Africa was cumulatively valued at RM258.6 billion. Exports were valued at RM154.4 billion, with major export products comprising palm oil & palm oil-based agriculture products, petroleum products, processed food, electrical & electronic products as well as palm oil-based manufactured products. To strengthen Malaysia’s presence and expand our market share across the African continent, MATRADE has intensified its export promotion programmes this year. The Agency has facilitated the participation of Malaysian companies in the Egypt Energy Expo, alongside a series of export acceleration missions led by its Chairman to Egypt, Libya, South Africa and Kenya. These initiatives aim to enhance business linkages, open new opportunities for Malaysian exporters, and showcase Malaysia’s capabilities as a reliable trading partner in emerging African markets. At the recent Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS), the participation of eight (8) African nations namely Nigeria, Algeria, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, Egypt, Mali and Mauritius, highlighted the continent’s growing confidence in Malaysia’s globally recognised halal ecosystem. Representatives from these countries took part in both the exhibition and the International Sourcing Programme (INSP), exploring new opportunities for partnership and market expansion, reinforcing Malaysia’s leadership in driving the global halal economy. MATRADE is expected to continue its role as a Training Institution to third countries in the future TCTPs.
- October 10, 2025Business
Bioeconomy Corporation & Polaris Bio Seal RM700 Mil MoU at NICE 2025
Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation (Bioeconomy Corporation), under the purview of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Malaysia, has entered into a collaboration with South Korea-based renewable energy company Polaris Bio Co., Ltd. (Polaris Bio) to develop palm oil mill effluent (POME)-based biogas upgrading facilities in Malaysia as part of renewable energy investments. An initial RM30 million will be invested in the first facility as part of the RM 700 million total planned investments. This pilot project will validate the technical and financial feasibility of biogas upgrading and pave the way for the nationwide rollout of more than 20 facilities, which are expected to cut up to 384,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent each year. The partnership will accelerate the commercialisation of biotechnology converting palm oil mill effluent (POME) into Bio-Compressed Natural Gas (Bio-CNG), a sustainable fuel, while also creating internationally tradable carbon credits – known as Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes (ITMOs) under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement. According to Bioeconomy Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer, En. Mohd Khairul Fidzal Abdul Razak, biogas development from oil palm biomass and waste in Malaysia has long been recognised as a strategic opportunity. While early projects faced inconsistent yields, high maintenance costs, and limited downstream integration, recent technological advances have improved efficiency and reliability, enabling biogas to be upgraded into Bio-CNG, biomethane, and green chemicals – making it a viable pathway for decarbonisation and integration into Malaysia’s renewable energy and bio-based industrial ecosystem. “Over the past two years, Bioeconomy Corporation has witnessed a series of bioenergy partnerships from its BioNexus Status and Bio-based Accelerator (BBA) companies, signaling a surge of activity in the sector and renewed investor confidence. This is reflected in our partnership with Polaris Bio, which will advance the government’s push to position bioenergy at the heart of Malaysia’s energy transition and power the country’s circular bioeconomy,” he added. Polaris Bio’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Junghwan Kim, said the collaboration with Bioeconomy Corporation opens new opportunities for scaling bioenergy solutions in Malaysia, while setting a benchmark for cross-border climate partnerships. “Since 2020, Polaris Bio has been actively engaged in Malaysia’s pioneering POME-to-Bio-CNG initiatives. Building on this proven track record, we are now delighted to embark on direct investments in partnership with the Government of Korea, including the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, its agency the Sudokwon Landfill Site Management Corporation, and leading Korean private enterprises. This collaboration not only reinforces Korea–Malaysia cooperation in renewable energy and carbon markets, but also stands as the first bilateral endeavour under Article 6.2, enhancing carbon market development in both nations,” he stated. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, YAB Dato’ Sri Haji Fadillah Yusof witnessed the exchange of memorandum of understanding between En. Mohd Khairul Fidzal Abdul Razak and Mr. Junghwan Kim at the opening ceremony of the National Innovation and Creative Economy Expo 2025 (NICE 2025) in Kuala Lumpur today. The partnership represents a timely step in aligning national priorities with international investment to reinforce Malaysia’s low-carbon transition under the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) and its target of 40% renewables in the primary energy mix by 2035, while supporting the goals of the National Biotechnology Policy 2.0 to drive sustainable bio-based industries and innovation for the nation’s circular economy. -END-
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