Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong

Avventura, local creative tech firm focused on pioneering immersive experiences, spearheads the DanceXR Showcase to enhance local performing arts experiences through extended reality. Supported by the National Arts Council, this series unfolds during the National Library Board’s PRESSPLAY biennial arts festival from January to February 2024.    We speak with Christopher Chew, Founder, Avventura to find out how this technology serves as a gateway to creativity, and why XR performances can future-proof the performing arts industry.   

Singapore stocks remained relatively unchanged at the opening bell today, after a muted performance of global equities.  In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) edged down a marginal 0.01 per cent to reach 3,149.76 points after 64.1 million securities changed hands in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Seatrium, after the offshore and marine group said in its profit guidance that they expect a financial loss for FY2023, that is “significantly higher than the previous year”. Elsewhere, from more on China’s manufacturing activity, to the Philippines overtaking Vietnam and Malaysia to become Southeast Asia’s fastest growing economy last year – more international headlines are in focus today.  Also on deck today – a deep dive into earnings from Microsoft, Alphabet and Starbucks, and layoffs over at PayPal. On Market View, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Redmond Wong, Global Market Strategist, Saxo.

From official sources saying that former Malaysian prime minister's Najib Razak’s jail term getting halved from 12 to six years to Johor’s Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar of Johor taking over the reins as the country’s Agong.  Nicholas Fang, Managing Director, Black Dot and Director for Security and Global Affairs, Singapore Institute of International Affairs gives us an analysis of those headlines and more. 

As we celebrate creativity and artistic brilliance this Singapore Art Week 2024, Funan has recently unveiled its fourth instalment of Creative Intersections: Traces of Dragons.  It is a mall-wide art exhibition to showcase contemporary works by 16 local artists, brand collaborations and interactive activities which have been inspired by the Year of The Dragon. We speak to the driving force behind Funan's Creative Intersections: Traces of Dragons 2024, Justin Loke, Director, Vertical Submarine who tells us more.

Singapore shares started on a positive note today, mirroring Wall Street stocks’ overnight advances. In early trade, the Straits Times Index (STI) rose 0.4 per cent points to 3,253.14 points after 42.9 million shares changed hands in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch for today, we have Mapletree Pan Asia Commercial Trust. The trust’s distribution per unit (DPU) fell 9.1 per cent to S$0.022 (2.2 Singapore cents) for its third quarter ended Dec 31, 2023.  Meanwhile, from expectations on the Fed’s messaging in its latest policy meeting to more on Elon Musk’s Neuralink, more international headlines are in focus.  On Market View, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked the developments with Toby Gresham, Investment Counselor Team Lead, Citi Private Bank.

Dow Jones has announced its partnership with global management consulting firm Oliver Wyman to launch Factiva Sentiment Signals. This platform will be an industry-leading corporate risk solution that deploys news-derived data to help businesses predict credit downgrades up to three months in advance. Traci Mabrey, General Manager of Factiva, Dow Jones tells us more about this unique, predictive solution. 

From Evergrande being ordered to liquidate by a Hong Kong court to China tightening its financial industry rules. Dr. Oh Ei Sun, Senior Fellow, Singapore Institute of International Affairs gives us an analysis of those headlines and more. 

It is all about the bowl of noodles we eat as we speak to one of the leading restaurant groups in Hong Kong today.  Bingo if you’ve guessed Tam Jai International, the company behind the TamJai Yunnan Mixian, Tam Jai SamGor Mixian and Japanese udon brand Marugame Seimen.  Listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited since October 2021, Tam Jai International has rapidly expanded its global reach and has a footprint of over 200 stores across markets such as Hong Kong, Mainland China, Singapore and Japan.  In Singapore, the firm has 11 stores under the brand name TamJai SamGor. But how far is this done through a franchise model?  Which is the most important geographical market for the firm for TamJai International?  Also – how far has the export of other brands such as LuckIn Coffee and Mixue helped improve the reception of products like Mixian in markets outside of the Greater China region?  Speaking of expansion, the firm recently entered into a joint venture agreement with ST Group Food Industries Holdings to expand into Australia, marking the Group’s first foray into a Western market and through a franchise model.  The Group also announced a potential franchise partnership with a subsidiary of Philippine conglomerate Suyen Corporation on its proposed entry into the Philippine market.  But what can we expect on this front and how far will a franchise model reshape Tam Jai International’s growth trajectory? On Under the Radar, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Daren Lau, Chairman, Executive Director and CEO, Tam Jai International.

The news that Jurgen Klopp is set to leave Liverpool at the end of this season has undoubtedly rocked the football world. What is the legacy the enigmatic German leaves, will his team finish the season strong to give him a fitting farewell, and how will the Reds' hierachy replace their seemingly irreplaceable manager? We caught up with Liverpool legend John Arne Riise to canvass his thoughts! Got a story to tell? Get in touch with us! edanker@sph.com.sg | raushan@sph.com.sg

Trying to find success in one’s career is already a tough journey on its own. For our next guest, while he was on his quest to find success in work, he was hit by a diagnosis of stage four colorectal cancer. Desmond Tan, Film Director, Creative Partner & Founder, Atypicalfilms shares his story.