Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

Javier Perez, originally from Puerto Rico, has made his home in Singapore for more than a decade growing two original F&B concepts, Kilo and Grain Traders. He's also the hoteliers behind Kuala Lumpur’s newest boutique hotel, Else. So how did he acquire his success across different industries? On RICH, Hongbin Jeong and Roshan Gidwani speaks to the man himself, Javier Perez, Founder of Kilo Collective, Co-FounderCo-Founder of Else Retreats and Co-Founder of Yonder Hospitality, to find out more.

Singapore shares were barely changed as they entered the morning session today. That’s amid a sleepy trading session following the Vesak Day public holiday break yesterday. In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) was muted at the open, inching down 0.02 per cent to 3,307.21 points after 64.3 million securities changed hands in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Singapore Airlines, after shares fell more than 1 per cent in early trade today, following a deadly turbulence-hit flight. Elsewhere, from Singtel sinking into the red with a net loss of S$1.3 billion for its second half ended March, to Singapore’s April inflation rate – more local headlines remain in focus. Also on deck – how investors are reading into the latest US FOMC minutes and Nvidia’s earnings. On Market View, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian dived into the details with David Chow, Director Azure Capital.

Korean beauty has revolutionised the skincare industry with innovative rituals like double-cleansing, skin-loving essences, and iconic products like cushion compacts and lip tints. On K-WAVE, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Amelia - also known as @glowyame, to share more about how Korean beauty has transformed the skincare industry and get tips for achieving that glow.

Phosphate provides a quarter of all nutrients plants need to grow and thrive. It is an essential ingredient in all fertilisers that go to support the crops we eat and use in our daily lives.  And it is all about phosphate today as we speak to one of the world’s largest custodians and suppliers of phosphate-based fertilisers.  Founded over a century ago in Morocco, our guest OCP Group started out as a single mine producing phosphate at Khouribga. Production started in March 1921, with exports done via the port at Casablanca done later that year.  The company diversified over the years, moving to phosphate processing at Safi in 1965 and in Jorf Lasfar in 1984. It also became a state owned company under the Moroccan Government in 2008 and the Banque Populaire du Maroc.  Fast forward to today, the firm’s operations now span across five continents and throughout the value chain ranging from mining, processing, manufacturing, exporting to even education and community development. Just to give you a sense of its scale, OCP now has sole access over 70% of the world’s phosphate reserves.  Some of its products include raw materials like rock phosphate, phosphoric acid, standard and fortified fertilisers, as well as animal feed.  Per the Moroccan World News, the firm reported revenues of 91.27 billion Moroccan Dirhams (or MAD or US$9 billion) in 2023, despite a drop in fertiliser prices. That is lower than the US$11.3 billion in the year prior. But which are the firm’s major demand markets contributing to the numbers and what is the role of Singapore in this regard? And with poor weather conditions affecting the yield of crops like cocoa and Robusta coffee beans – what implications will this have on fertiliser makers?  Meanwhile, the firm had in April raised US$2 billion in a dual tranche Eurobond to fund its green transition plan, but what can we expect here in Southeast Asia?  On Under the Radar, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Bhavya Sehgal, General Manager, Singapore, OCP Group.

Singapore Air Charter noticed a rise in pet travel. And currently, to adapt to this demand, they are offering services for pet travels. On Culture Club, Hongbin Jeong and Roshan Gidwani speaks to Stefan Wood, Aviation Specialist, Singapore Air Charter, to discuss about the increasing trend of pet travel, particularly private jet flights, and tips for making pet travel stress-free. Presented by: Hongbin Jeong and Roshan Gidwani Produced and Edited by: Alexandra Parada (alexparada@sph.com.sg) Want to get featured on our show? Drop me an email today!

Trust's zero-fee transactions are revolutionizing travel expenses, making it the go-to choice for savvy travelers. On What's Trending, Hongbin Jeong and Roshan Gidwani speaks to Mira Bharin, Chief Marketing Officer, Trust, to discuss more about  their two-month travel campaign, zero-fee foreign exchange transactions, and its strategic partnership with Trip.com. Presented by: Hongbin Jeong and Roshan Gidwani Produced and Edited by: Alexandra Parada (alexparada@sph.com.sg) Want to get featured on our show? Drop me an email today!

Singapore shares were little changed today following a mixed showing on Wall Street and slight gains in Europe overnight. In early trade, the Straits Times Index headed down 0.02 per cent to 3,313.34 points, amid mixed trading among bank counters. In terms of companies to watch, we have Singapore Airlines, after the national flag carrier signed an agreement with Indonesia flag carrier Garuda Indonesia to explore revenue sharing arrangements for flights between Indonesia and Singapore.  Elsewhere, from more on the endless shrimp dish at and mismanagement of US seafood restaurant chain Red Lobster, to Nvidia’s earnings potentially sparking a US$200 billion swing in shares, more corporate and international headlines remain in focus. On Market View, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Chong Ser Jing, Co-founder and Portfolio Manager, Compounder Fund.

Kevin Tan has nearly 400 watches to his name and has been collecting them since he was 16 years old. He admits that he doesn't wear all of his collection, but he remembers the vast majority of the ones he own because of milestones, moments of exuberance, or folly. On R.I.C.H., Hongbin Jeong and Roshan Gidwani speaks to Kevin Tan, Chief Commercial Officer, Straits Financial, to find out more about his passion in collecting watches. Presented by: Hongbin Jeong and Roshan Gidwani Produced and Edited by: Alexandra Parada (alexparada@sph.com.sg) Want to get featured on our show? Drop me an email today!

Carmakers are not self-policing well enough and still buying parts from a firm that uses forced labor. Congress passed the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act law in 2021 but thousands of BMW mini coopers were imported into the U.S. with components from the same firm.

There’s a new cocktail bar in town and it’s funky. In a good way. F*nkytown, is a new cocktail bar concept courtesy of the sandwich folks at Sarnies, hidden at the top of the bakery and café’s Sukhumvit 37 branch. Now what is it that makes this place so funky? We chat with Benjamin Lee, CEO and Founder of Sarnies Group to find out.