Daily Debrief: What Happened Today (May 8)

Stories you might have missed

New EC rules to cool prices: MOP doubled to curb flipping, no more deferred payments and more units for first-timers

[SINGAPORE] The government has tightened rules for Singapore’s executive condominium (EC) market amid heated demand, with measures aimed at improving affordability and curbing “flipping” on resale.

Iran uncertainty, credit costs in focus for UOB as analysts stay cautious with ‘hold’ ratings

[SINGAPORE] Analysts have kept their “hold” ratings on UOB, citing concerns over costs and asset-quality risks as the conflict in the Middle East continues.

Singapore’s 2025 tourism receipts reach record S$32.8 billion; Mice contributes S$2.3 billion

[SINGAPORE] The Republic’s tourism industry had a record year in 2025, with 16.9 million international visitors contributing S$32.8 billion in tourism receipts, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said at the Tourism Industry Conference on Friday (May 8).

7 in 10 Malaysian manufacturing firms report worsening outlook amid Middle East conflict: survey

[KUALA LUMPUR] Malaysia’s manufacturing sector is showing signs of broader stress as the Middle East crisis spreads beyond freight disruptions into raw material shortages, weaker orders, cash-flow strain and mounting job risks, according to a survey released by the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturing (FMM) on Thursday (May 7).

Singapore, US, and 17 other WTO members agree among themselves not to impose duties on e-commerce

[GENEVA] The US and more than a dozen other countries including Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Australia on Thursday (May 7) launched their own pact to not impose duties on e-commerce after no agreement was reached to end deadlock with Brazil, a document showed.

STB launches tenders for pop-up booths, provides funding to rejuvenate Orchard Road

[SINGAPORE] A tender to build, design and manage pop-up booths, and a new initiative to rejuvenate Orchard Road were among a series of projects announced by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) on Friday (May 8).