The Business Times
Zhao Yifan

Zhao Yifan

JOURNALIST

Zhao Yifan is a journalist with the Business Times. She covers regional news with a focus on Greater China and Asean. She graduated from the University of Oxford with a BA in philosophy, politics and economics. She also holds a postgraduate diploma in law.

emailyfzhao@sph.com.sg
BARFLY

Fast-moving drinks at Puffy Bois

At this pizza and cocktail spot, swiftly served concoctions can be complex too

Srettha Thavisin speaks to the media after he was dismissed from his post for breaching ethical rules.
ASEAN BUSINESS

Srettha Thavisin’s dramatic fall; Nusantara’s challenging rise

This week in Asean: 

Leong Yung Chee, UOB’s head of group corporate banking, says that the AI model is expected to increase the bank’s Singapore corporate banking revenue by 3 to 5 per cent, compared with the performance baseline in 2023.

UOB leverages AI for data-centric approach to optimising portfolio allocation

Having already implemented the model in Singapore and Malaysia, the bank plans to expand it to other markets in the region

Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong stresses the importance of involving businesses in the design of various governmental frameworks and blueprints.

Asean members’ complementarity creates opportunities for collaboration: DPM Gan

The Johor-Singapore SEZ deal is likely to be inked by November, says Johor’s top official

Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat stresses the importance of the 10 Asean member states maintaining their openness amid the global trade tensions.

Singapore to remain open amid concerns over US protectionism: DPM Heng

He underscores the importance of the US-Singapore Free Trade Agreement, and Singapore’s support for free trade within and beyond Asean

A latest survey by UOB found that highlighted that “a significant majority of Singapore consumers are not taking adequate steps to secure their financial future”, with youths being the most underprepared.

Two-thirds of Singapore consumers optimistic about local economy, but over half lack financial preparedness: survey

UOB Asean Consumer Sentiment Study finds Gen Zs aged 18 to 25 are particularly ill-prepared in insurance and legacy planning

New parents of Singaporean children will get an extra 10 weeks of government-paid leave to share between themselves from Apr 1, 2026.
NATIONAL DAY RALLY

National Day Rally: New parents get extra 10 weeks of paid leave, to share; mandatory paternity leave rises to four weeks

With the changes, parents of Singaporean children will get a total of 30 weeks of paid parental leave from Apr 1, 2026

An upturn in the global electronics cycle is expected to buoy growth in Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines.
ASEAN BUSINESS

Asean vs China: Who will be the next decade’s winner?

This week in Asean: 

An electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Hai Phong, Vietnam. A new report forecasts that, among the top six economies in South-east Asia, Vietnam will have the highest GDP growth rate over the next decade.

Asean-6 poised to outpace China’s growth in the next decade: report

The region has strengthened its fundamentals by boosting key areas such as manufacturing and investing in emerging sectors

The Philippines’ gambling sector is the third largest in Asia, next in size only to Macau and Singapore.
ASEAN BUSINESS

Race of chips and dice

This week in Asean: 

Latest T-bills Treasury Bills Results & Interest NewsLatest SSB Singapore Savings Bonds NewsLatest COE Certificate of Entitlement News
Latest Johor-Singapore SEZ NewsLatest BTO Build To Order & Sales of Balance NewsLatest STI Straits Times Index NewsLatest SGX Dividends, Share Price NewsLatest Bonds Market NewsLatest Singapore Stocks To Buy NewsLatest Singapore Economy News
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