Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

Supply chains, the vital global connections between the making of products and their delivery to customers worldwide have been tested in recent years. After a series of shocks, including the Covd-19 pandemic and the continued deterioration of multilateral trade relations, have damaged the reliability of global supply chains So how can a country like the Philippines strengthen its participation in the global supply chain?  Alfredo Pascual, Secretary (Minister) of Trade and Industry, Philippines shares his views. 

And then there were two, it has been reported China’s Defence Minister Li Shangfu has not been seen in public for more than three weeks, where could he be? Plus US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan quietly holding “candid” talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi over the weekend in Malta.  Dr. Oh Ei Sun, Senior Fellow, Singapore Institute of International Affairs gives us an analysis of those headlines and more. 

Do you know that Singapore actually builds electric motorbikes? Yes you’ve heard it right.  While such bikes are not on the roads of Singapore, they are exported to other Southeast Asian markets such as Indonesia.  Our guest for today is one of these electric motorbike manufacturers. Founded in 2019, Ion Mobility is a Singapore-based startup that aims to tap the growing appetite for electric vehicles in Southeast Asia.  The firm launched its M1-S electric scooter in Jakarta in November last year and closed its US$18.7 million Series A round in February this year.  More notably, it also brought in the world’s leading two and three-wheeler manufacturer TVS Motor Company as one of its strategic investors, to further its growth in the electric two wheeler space within Singapore and Indonesia.  So what is Ion Mobility’s growth trajectory like in the near future with this partnership?  Meanwhile, how is the firm working with authorities and agencies within Singapore to open up new business models and develop other products that can be sold within the country? On Under the Radar, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to James Chan, CEO of Ion Mobility and Lee Pak Sing, Assistant Chief Executive for Trade and Connectivity, EnterpriseSG.

Famed for being much more than just about car racing, the Singapore Grand Prix has long prided itself on providing a blockbuster weekend of glitz, glam and entertainment. But is the Lion City losing it's lustre with the likes of Las Vegas and Miami now on the F1 calendar? JJ Lin & the fans weigh in! Got a story to tell? Get in touch with us! edanker@sph.com.sg | raushan@sph.com.sg

Is Formula 1 boring? Not if the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix was anything to go by! We recap the pulsating race that saw Ferrari paint the Lion city red, as Carlos Sainz won his first race for the Scuderia. We hear from Sains as well as Toto Wolff, Helmut Marko, Will Buxton and the fans as we look back on the 14th edition of the spectacular night race! Got a story to tell? Get in touch with us! edanker@sph.com.sg | raushan@sph.com.sg

Have you ever wondered what it is like to live on the 'fast lane'? We spoke to an up and coming motorsport star who has competed in international karting competitions since the age of 5. Racing is something she loves because apart from the feeling of victory, it also gave her a passion to share with her father.  Bianca Bustamante, F1 Academy Driver, PREMA Racing shares her story. 

Hunter Biden is indicted on three gun felonies, but it seems that his problems are legitimately his father's problems too. But that's not all for US President Joe Biden, with The United Auto Workers going on strike at Ford, General Motors and Stellantis factories.  As Joe Biden runs for re-election, how will the president cope with his son’s legal woes, turbulence on Capitol Hill and questions about his economic leadership? We take a closer look with Pushan Dutt, Professor of Economics, INSEAD.

In the dynamic realm of fashion, the importance of a brand name cannot be overstated, but certain names have a knack for making a lasting impact.  How can a company pick a great brand name that stands out? And is there any way the mistake of picking the wrong brand name be rectified?  Joy Zhan, Managing Director, We Narrate Brands shares her views. 

Singapore shares opened flat today after weaker export data clashed with news of a mixed performance on global stock markets. Data from Enterprise Singapore showed non-oil domestic exports slid 20.1 per cent in August, marking the 11th straight month of contraction. In terms of companies to watch for today, we have Singtel, after a fund managed by global investment firm KKR is committing up to S$1.1 billion for a 20 per cent stake in Singtel’s regional data centre business.  Meanwhile from more on CapitaLand Investment to a deep dive into Singapore Airlines’ operating statistics for August, more corporate headlines remain in focus. On Market View,  The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian unpacked these developments with David Kuo, Co-founder, The Smart Investor.

Today we’re going to bring you an inside look into one of the oldest bakeries in Singapore.  Make a guess – you might have just passed by one of their outlets today!  Back in 1926, Polar Puffs and Cakes, or the then Polar Cafe opened its first outlet on 51 High Street, where it was known for its Curry Puffs, ice-cream and chilled beverages.  The cafe was more notably the go-to place for politicians, lawyers and businessmen due to its strategic location near the trading harbour. Among them – prominent Hokkien businessman Lim Bo Seng, according to the firm.  Fast forward to the present, Polar has moved away from the cafe business by adopting a takeaway model. That started in 1996 when the company signed a supply partnership with Exxonmobil to turnaround the slowing cafe business.  And such partnerships have become an integral part of the business. Currently, Polar operates over 190 locations in Singapore. 165 are part of partnerships with businesses, while 30 of them sell directly to consumers in malls. So how does the firm navigate its relationship with such partners, and what are some of Polar’s plans for the future? On Under the Radar, The Evening Runway’s finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Francis Looi, CEO, Polar Puffs & Cakes.