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PSB Academy launches S$2.1m Beyond60 initiative to fully fund education scholarships for 30 recipients selected through the Singapore Centre for Social Enterprise, raiSE, United Women Singapore, and Care Corner Singapore
Joint efforts to champion greater inclusivity and access to education including for youths at risk, workforce pursuing social causes and women pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) align with SG60’s theme of “Building Our Singapore Together”
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 May 2025 – PSB Academy (PSBA), Singapore’s leading private education institution (PEI), today announced its over S$2.1 million initiative as it spearheads advocacy for education to be inclusive, and to provide equal opportunities for all. This is in celebration of Singapore’s 60th birthday which focuses on shared values such as boldness, resilience, and openness to unite and progress against the odds over the past six decades. It embodies PSBA’s Beyond60 commitment, empowering individuals to look forward, craft their future, and truly “write your own next 60”.
Through the PSB Academy Beyond60 Scholarships initiative PSBA and its university partners will award full scholarships to up to 30 deserving recipients selected by the Singapore Centre for Social Enterprise, raiSE Ltd (raiSE), and United Women Singapore (UWS), and Care Corner Singapore. The scholarships will cover the course of their educational programme which may range from six months to four years, depending on the course selected.
The Scholarships for raiSE social enterprises aim to strategically strengthen capabilities of leaders within the sector, enabling a multiplier effect that deepens and scales the positive impact on the communities they empower. The partnership with UWS will provide young women from local polytechnics the opportunity to pursue higher education in STEM and/or other related disciplines. Similarly, the collaboration with Care Corner will support youths preparing for their N and O Levels, those in Nitec, and at-risk youths, helping them achieve their academic aspirations.
Scholarships will be awarded in multiple tranches for recipients to commence their courses from as early as second half of this year and as late as December 2026.
“PSB Academy, raiSE, UWS, and Care Corner are united by a single, common goal of providing equal opportunities for Singaporeans to progress. We will together identify well-deserving individuals to receive these scholarships, individuals who may otherwise not have the resources to pursue further education to develop their skills and capabilities. As Singapore continues to grow, we must ensure that prosperity extends to more members of the community. It is only when we progress together, that we truly succeed as a society,” said Derrick Chang, Chief Executive Officer, PSB Academy.
Recognising the significant growth in public awareness of social enterprises in Singapore (from 13% in 2010[1] to 72% by 2020[2]), raiSE aims to inspire a wider adoption of these impactful business models. Guided by the principle that good business delivers positive impact, empowering leaders is key. These scholarships strategically equip both new and experienced leaders with the essential expertise, strategic foresight, and valuable networks required for impactful development and sustainable expansion within Singapore’s social enterprise landscape.
“raiSE firmly believes that social enterprises represent the future of business. Partnering with PSB Academy on these scholarships is a strategic investment in the human capital driving this change. By enhancing the capabilities of the qualifying Social Enterprise founders, we are directly fueling their ability to build sustainable and impactful businesses that address critical social needs in Singapore,” said Alfie Othman, Chief Executive Officer, raiSE.
“Empowering young women in underrepresented fields like STEM is key to building an inclusive, progressive society. While progress has been made in Singapore, there’s more to do. That’s why partnerships like ours with PSB Academy are so important – we’re closing the gap by equipping young women with the tools, access, and confidence to thrive,” said Tan Ching Ne, President of United Women Singapore.
“Some young people take longer to discover their aspirations or may not thrive within conventional academic routes. This collaboration offers them a crucial second chance — an alternate pathway to pursue higher education and build a better future for themselves. At Care Corner, we believe that with the right support, every youth has the potential to thrive. We hope this scholarship will open doors for those who simply need an opportunity to catch up, keep going, and dream big.” said Christian Chao, Chief Executive Officer, Care Corner Singapore.
In 2023, around 17,000 youth[3], aged 15 to 24, in Singapore were not in school, work or training.
Later this year, PSBA will organise a celebration to officially recognise and award scholarships to the recipients.
All certifications and Diplomas offered by PSBA, as well as Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees by the Academy’s university partners are from the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. This includes Coventry University, University of Hertfordshire, Edinburgh Napier University, La Trobe University, the University of Newcastle Australia, Edith Cowan University, and Massey University.
Applications for scholarships through raiSE, UWS, and Care Corner are now open and will close 31 December 2025. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact raiSE, UWS, and Care Corner directly to learn more about eligibility requirements and the application process.
Building upon its legacy of 60 years of excellence, PSBA celebrated its Diamond Jubilee Anniversary last year by supporting over 2,000 adult learners in Singapore with more than S$3.5 million in Diamond Jubilee Education Grants for upskilling and reskilling.
In the coming months, PSBA will be hosting a series of public engagement activities to cultivate a more inclusive and accessible learning environment. These activations will invite all members of the public to participate in hands-on experiences across the various disciplines offered at the Academy. By fostering greater community involvement, the Academy aims to showcase the core values of accessibility and inclusivity that define it as Asia’s Future Academy. Further details regarding these activities will be provided in due course.
In April 2025, PSBA unveiled its third city campus in Singapore at The Cathay as well as inking an Memorandum of Understanding to offer industry-relevant programmes in collaboration with Coventry University and COSEM, a cooperative of Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) to train more paramedicine professionals to address the nation’s ricing emergency call volumes and workforce shortages.
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About PSB Academy
As one of Singapore’s leading private education institutions, PSB Academy proudly celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2024, marking a heritage of six decades dedicated to shaping more than 200,000 learners.
Established in 1964 under Singapore’s Economic Development Board, and later the Productivity and Standards Board, PSB Academy was founded to enhance the knowledge and skills of Singapore’s workforce. Our approach to education focuses on what truly matters: performance in the New Economy. We are dedicated to providing quality education that nurtures future-ready graduates equipped with the skills and tools necessary to thrive in a digitally-driven world.
PSB Academy campuses include three dynamic locations, with the newly added Cathay Campus at the iconic building of The Cathay at the buzzing Orchard Road, alongside its City Campus comprising the Main Wing and STEM Wing at Marina Square Shopping Mall. The learning spaces in the heart of the city connect students globally through a collaborative learning and networking environment that enables them to be agile innovators and contributors to society.
With a robust network of industry partners, PSB Academy ensures our students are well-prepared for the workforce. Today, we host over 20,000 students from more than 50 nationalities, offering a comprehensive slate of certificate, diploma, degree, and short courses.
As we commemorate this milestone, we remain dedicated to uncovering the diamonds within each learner, continuing our legacy of excellence and innovation for many more years to come.
About raiSE
The Singapore Centre for Social Enterprise, raiSE Ltd (“raiSE”) is the leading national body and ecosystem developer driving the growth and impact of Singapore’s vibrant Social Enterprise sector. Championing the belief that Social Enterprises represent the future of businesses, raiSE serves as a vital nexus, connecting diverse stakeholders across the ecosystem and empowering aspiring and established Social Enterprises by delivering a comprehensive suite of holistic support. This encompasses vital funding, tailored capacity building, expert mentorship, essential resources, and impactful networking platforms, ultimately fostering social innovation and accelerating the journey towards sustainable positive change in Singapore. For more information, please visit www.raise.sg
About United Women Singapore
United Women Singapore (UWS) is a local non-profit organisation that advances women’s empowerment and gender equality, and they build a pipeline of women leaders and influencers in Singapore. The organisation works towards narrowing the gender equality gap through education and raising awareness and advocacy on issues such as anti-violence and women’s empowerment, with the support of key stakeholders including corporate partners, government agencies, academia, the diplomatic community, nonprofits and community groups and the wider community.
Find out more at www.uws.org.sg
About Care Corner Singapore
Established in 1981, Care Corner is a non-profit organisation providing social and health care services to build hope and promote well-being for those in need. With more than 45 service points across Singapore, we help children with special learning needs or from disadvantaged backgrounds, youths at risk, troubled families, vulnerable seniors, and individuals with counselling and mental health needs. Woven into the fabric of our community, we aim to provide a holistic continuum of care to the marginalised across their life stages and major transitions.
Learn more at www.carecorner.org.sg
Beyond Balance: The Next Regime
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 January 2026 – Today, KGI has released its 2026 Global Market Outlook, covering markets in the US, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore.
After a turbulent year of trade disruptions and policy uncertainty under President Trump, investors face new questions. China has unveiled its 15th Five-Year Plan, as policymakers aim to support domestic growth amid global challenges. The market outlook for 2026 is shaped by interest rate decisions, economic resilience, and shifting international dynamics.
Under this backdrop, we propose the “LEAD” strategy for 2026:
- Liquidity Shift
- Earnings Focused
- Adding Credit
- Diversified Assets
Cusson Leung, Chief Investment Officer at KGI, says: “Looking ahead to 2026, investors can adopt a LEAD strategy: L stands for Liquidity Shift, benefiting from a weakening US dollar and interest rate cuts, with funds expected to flow to non-US dollar and Asian currencies; E stands for Earnings Focused, focusing on earnings growth to support valuations and allocating to US, European, and Japanese stocks; A stands for Adding Credit, locking in the credit of leading companies and increasing holdings of A-rated investment grade bonds; and D stands for Diversified Assets, responding to the upward trend in both stocks and bonds by including alternative assets to optimize asset allocation.”
Macro & US Markets
The US economy will experience a more pronounced downturn in 4Q25, which will extend into 1H26, and this will have a negative impact on consumption, slowing investment activity. Nevertheless, AI-driven productivity gains should provide some support, with US GDP growth in 2026 forecast at 2.2%. The eurozone will see moderate growth, with Germany benefiting significantly from fiscal expansion and economic improvement. Japan’s economy will strengthen on domestic demand, aided by additional fiscal stimulus. China has demonstrated resilience under trade protectionism in 2025. With inflation risks easing and labor market risks rising, the US Fed cut the interest rates in September 2025, with a total reduction of 75 bps in 2025, followed by an additional 50-75 bps in 2026.
Regarding US stocks, AI-driven productivity gains and cost reductions should sustain solid profitability, with S&P 500 earnings projected to grow by 13.55% year-on-year (YoY) in 2026. However, higher risk premiums may cap valuation upside, leading us to project a year-end target of 7,650 points. Market performance will reflect risk-driven declines in 1Q26, stabilize and recover in 2Q26, and rally significantly around the midterm elections in 4Q26. By sector, among AI-related themes we favor technology, semiconductors, utilities (on higher power demand), machinery for advanced manufacturing, and industrial REITs. Non-AI beneficiaries include aerospace and defense (on higher military spending), pharmaceuticals (on tariff benefits), and capital market segments (supported by active investment banking). As for fixed income, US economic weakness and Fed rate cuts will drive Treasury yields lower, with 10-year yields expected to fall to 3.5-3.7% by 2Q26. We recommend allocating to US Treasuries or high-rated investment-grade corporate bonds in 1H26, then rotating into high-yield bonds in 2H26 as policy rates and economic conditions reach a bottom.
James Chu, Chairman at KGI Securities Investment Advisory, says: “AI is triggering a new productivity revolution, supporting economic growth and strengthening corporate earnings. While the US economy is expected to slow, a recession remains unlikely, and the short-term impact of tariff policies should gradually fade by the first quarter of 2026. Although the Fed may shift from cutting rates at every meeting to cutting at alternating meetings, the overall environment remains a rate-cutting cycle. In a non-recession backdrop, lower interest rates should continue to support equity market performance.”
Mainland China and Hong Kong Markets
In terms of the macroeconomy, with the conclusion of trade agreements among many countries, risks have subsided. However, due to external drag, China’s GDP growth is expected to slow slightly to 4.6% in 2026. In 2026, investors should focus on four key areas for Hong Kong and mainland China markets: (1) In the consumption sector, domestic demand continued to be the core growth driver, contributing more than half of GDP. As the “trade-in” effect diminishes, the central government is expected to implement the “15th Five-Year Plan” and economic conference plans, launching a new round of subsidies covering culture, entertainment, and sports to continuously boost consumer spending. (2) In the financial market, risk appetite has increased. Given the narrowing spread between bond yields and fixed deposit rates, large amounts of savings are flowing into the capital market seeking returns. The fundamentals of the banking and insurance industries have bottomed out, and the credit structure is accelerating its shift from real estate to supporting the real economy. (3) Regarding the issue of “anti-involution,” the PPI remains weak, and capacity reduction has become a focus. Compared to 2015, this round involves more downstream private enterprises and needs to consider employment, presenting greater challenges. While industry consolidation is expected to be lengthy, the impact is controllable and beneficial for long-term healthy development. (4) Regarding new quality productive forces, this will replace real estate and infrastructure as the main investment focus. Digital infrastructure supports AI and embodied intelligence, and humanoid robots are expected to see commercialization in 2026, “iPhone moment.” Leading companies with core technological autonomy in innovative drugs will enjoy higher valuation premiums.
Overall, we are optimistic on Hang Seng Index. We expect the Federal Reserve’s interest rate cuts to drive fund inflows to the Hong Kong and mainland stock markets. Based on an upward revision of the forward PE ratio to 13.5x and 8% earnings growth, we set a target of 30,000 points for the Hang Seng Index by the end of 2026, representing a potential upside of approximately 14%. As confidence recovers, the investment style is expected to shift from defensive to growth stocks. Recommended 12 stocks: XPeng Motors (9868), UBTECH (9880), Tencent Holdings (700), Alibaba (9988), China Hongqiao (1378), AIA Group (1299), Ping An Insurance (2318), China Merchants Bank (3968), Akeso Biopharma (9926), Pop Mart (9992), Tencent Music (1698), and Sino Land (83).
Cusson Leung, Chief Investment Officer at KGI, says: “2026 marks a crucial turning point for the Chinese economy. While the market anticipates GDP growth to slow to 4.6%, “new quality productive forces,” resembling humanoid robots, is taking over as a new growth engine. The most critical signal in the market is the “awakening” of idle cash—massive savings are flowing from low-interest fixed deposits to the capital market seeking returns. With risk appetite returning and policy support intensifying, now is the time to shift investment strategies from “defensive” to “growth.” Driven by both valuation repair and earnings growth, we are optimistic that the Hang Seng Index will reach 30,000 points, and the allocation value of Hong Kong and mainland China stocks has reappeared.”
Taiwan Market
Compared to the dot-com era bull run, which lasted almost five years, the current AI frenzy has been around for about three years, suggesting that the uptrend is still in its middle phase and could extend through 2026.
AI plays are trading at high PEs, such valuations are backed by strong fundamentals. In fact, the PEG ratio of Taiwan’s AI supply chain has yet to surpass 1x. We estimate that aggregate earnings of AI plays will grow by 21% YoY in 2026, following impressive upticks of 35% in 2024 and 43% in 2025. AI stocks now account for more than 60% of TAIEX earnings, and with the ongoing AI arms race, overall TAIEX earnings growth is projected to accelerate from 14% in 2025F to 20% in 2026.
Although the AI frenzy should keep the bull market intact, volatility will rise in tandem due to: (1) substantial cumulative gains, and the fact that valuations are approaching historic highs; (2) policy and political uncertainty surrounding the US midterm elections; and (3) potential changes in the US Fed’s rate-cut pace. We expect the TAIEX to repeat a “smile-curve” pattern, featuring continued strength in 1Q26, followed by healthy corrections in 2Q-3Q26 before closing the year with a renewed upswing.
We think investors need to pay attention to two major themes. The first is a broad-based product spec upgrade trend across the AI supply chain, which will drive the industry into a new growth phase, with beneficiaries including foundries, GPU and ASIC designers, advanced packaging (such as CoWoS), and ODMs, as well as testing interfaces, memory, thermal solutions, CCL, ABF substrates, PCBs, switches, and power component suppliers amid strong AI computing demand and ongoing GPU platform upgrades. The second is diversification and defensive asset allocation. Innovations in consumer electronics, such as foldable iPhones and smart wearables, will provide growth opportunities, while companies with resilient domestic demand and stable high dividend yields offer a balanced strategy combining growth and income. Overall, investors should strike a balance between growth and resilience against volatility in their portfolios, in the face of market fluctuations.
James Chu, Chairman at KGI Securities Investment Advisory, says: “The solid earnings growth driven by AI and still reasonable valuations form a strong foundation for the ongoing bull market in Taiwanese equities. With AI adoption accelerating across enterprises and consumers, demand for computing power is rising rapidly. Yet supply remains constrained by chip and power bottlenecks, meaning hardware suppliers are likely to face continued shortages through 2026. Taiwan’s AI supply chain is set to remain a key beneficiary, particularly those tied to next-generation specification upgrades.”
Singapore Market
In 9M25, the overall performance of Singapore’s economy was better than expected as the global trade tensions eased after the US pivoted on its reciprocal tariffs and reached deals with its major trading partners. The manufacturing, wholesale trade and finance & insurance sectors remained the growth pillars of the Singapore economy, and each sector delivered decent growth. In particular, manufacturing’s growth has been robust, driven by the electronics, transport engineering and biomedical manufacturing clusters. The full year outlook is upbeat, as the growth momentum shall continue till the end of the year.
Looking ahead, the global economic outlook for 2026 suggests slower GDP growth for most of Singapore’s key trading partners, including China and the Eurozone, largely due to the impact of US tariffs, which will temper demand for Southeast Asian exports, though US growth is expected to remain resilient from AI investment. Consequently, Singapore’s outward-oriented sectors, particularly manufacturing and trade-related services, are projected to expand at a slower pace than in 2025, although the electronics and related sectors will benefit from AI demand, while some precision engineering and biomedical output may moderate domestically, the construction sector is set to grow, but consumer-facing sectors are likely to remain subdued. However, the relatively low interest rates and continuous government support shall buffer the impact of the slowdown, and the capital market will still benefit from the upward re-rating catalysts.
Chen Guangzhi, Head of Research at KGI Singapore, says: “Thanks to trade de-escalation and the AI wave, Singapore experienced significant economic expansion in 2025. Proactive government initiatives turbo-charged the equity bull run, and this strong momentum is expected to deliver an optimistic economic outlook for 2026.”
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KGI
KGI* has been a leading financial institution in Asia since 1997. Our scope of business encompasses wealth management, brokerage, fixed income, and asset management. We are committed to offering a comprehensive range of financial products and services to corporate, institutional, and individual clients throughout Asia. Backed by KGI Financial Group, we have a robust footprint in Asia, covering Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand^.
*KGI refers to KGI Asia Limited and its affiliates.
^an investee enterprise of KGI Securities, not a subsidiary.
Representing an Increase of approximately 11.6%
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 January 2026 – BBSB International Limited (“BBSB” or the Company”, together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”; stock code: 8610.HK), an established civil engineering contractor in Malaysia, announces its successful listing on the GEM of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (“SEHK”) today.
The closing price of BBSB’s shares was HK$0.67 per share. The highest share price of the day was HK$3.11 per share. On its first trading day, trading volume of the shares of BBSB reached approximately 120 million with a total turnover of approximately HK$180 million.
Lego Corporate Finance Limited is the Sole Sponsor. Lego Securities Limited is the Sole Overall Coordinator. Lego Securities Limited and Fortune Origin Securities Limited are the Joint Bookrunners and Joint Lead Managers.
Datuk Tan, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director of the Group, said, “The successful listing of the Group’s shares on the GEM of the SEHK today signifies a major milestone in the Group’s development, while also reflecting investors’ strong confidence in our business and future prospects. Looking ahead, we will continue to capitalise on our professional expertise in the civil engineering sector, actively seize development opportunities in Malaysia and other regions and remain dedicated to maximising value for our shareholders.”
Hashtag: #BBSB #IPO #Trading
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BBSB International Limited
BBSB International Limited is a civil engineering contractor in Malaysia with over 16 years of experience, specialising in providing bridge engineering services for large-scale transportation infrastructure engineering projects owned or initiated by the government or government-linked companies in Malaysia. The Group has strategically expanded its civil engineering works to include flood mitigation works. The Group has participated in a number of notable transportation infrastructure engineering projects in Malaysia, such as Eastern Dispersal Link, Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway, Damansara-Shah Alam Elevated Expressway and the SUKE Highway. The Group currently holds a CIDB Grade G7 qualification in Category CE (Civil Engineering Construction), Category B (Building Construction) and Category ME (Mechanical and Electrical) in Malaysia, which is the highest grade of contractor licence under the Construction Industry Development Board of Malaysia, allowing it to undertake civil and structural works of unlimited tender/contract value.
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Swiss-Belhotel International Strengthens Africa Portfolio with the Launch of The Gama by Swiss-Belhotel, Kilimani, Nairobi
Scheduled to open within the next 12 months, The Gama by Swiss-Belhotel, is strategically located in Kilimani, one of Nairobi’s most dynamic and sought-after districts. It features 155 well-appointed guest rooms, complemented by an extensive range of lifestyle and business facilities, including two food and beverage outlets, a fully equipped gym, a rooftop swimming pool, a dedicated ladies’ sauna, and expansive ballroom and meeting facilities.
Dr. Sheikh Mohamed Shakul, CEO of Albushra Real Estate Limited, said: “The Gama by Swiss-Belhotel represents a bold and future-focused development for Nairobi. Our vision was to create a modern hospitality and lifestyle destination that reflects the energy of the city while meeting the evolving expectations of today’s traveller. Partnering with Swiss-Belhotel International, with its global expertise and strong operational standards, ensures that this project will set a new benchmark in the market.”
Mr. Gavin M. Faull, Chairman and President of Swiss-Belhotel International, added: “The launch of The Gama by Swiss-Belhotel marks a significant milestone for our group as we introduce a new brand to our global portfolio. Africa continues to be a key focus market for Swiss-Belhotel International, and Nairobi, in particular, offers tremendous potential. This signing reflects our confidence in the city’s long-term growth and our commitment to delivering brands that are relevant, contemporary, and market-driven.”
Highlighting the strategic importance of the project, Mr. Laurent A. Voivenel, SVP – Operations & Development, EMEA and India, Swiss-Belhotel International, stated: “The Gama by Swiss-Belhotel has been carefully conceptualised to resonate with the next generation of travellers – those seeking authenticity, smart design, and social connectivity without compromising on comfort or service quality. This signing not only strengthens our footprint in Kenya but also underscores our broader expansion strategy across Africa and emerging markets.”
Hashtag: #swissbelhotel #swissbelhotelinternational #thegamabyswiss-belhotel #hotelkenya #hotelnairobi #kenya #nairobi
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