Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

According to a study by UOB, Singaporeans have the most finance-related worries in the South-east Asian region, amid expectations of rising household expenses and higher inflation.  Prime Time’s Bharati Jagdish speaks with Dean Tong, Head, Group Human Resources, UOB to find out what else Singaporeans are most stressed about, and if that has something to do with the workplace. 

Singapore’s central bank and regulator was never under any illusions about the price volatility of cryptocurrencies and has always cautioned that cryptocurrencies are not suitable as investments for retail investors. In the Spotlight on Prime Time, Bharati Jagdish speaks with Vincent Chok, CEO of tech-driven financial institution, First Digital, as they take a closer look at what regulators should focus on as pillars for blockchain infrastructure in Singapore and the APAC region.

Following the rejuvenation plans for Changi and Paya Lebar, what can homebuyers look forward to in the eastern region of Singapore? And following the Ministry of National Development’s first Forward Singapore engagement session on public housing, what issues need to be addressed during conversations on public housing? Prime Time’s Bharati Jagdish speaks with Eugene Lim, Key Executive Officer, ERA Realty Network about Singapore’s urban redevelopment ambitions and housing plans for the future.  Highlights from the conversation: 01:01: What rejuvenation plans for the Eastern region of Singapore entail for upcoming developments and property launches 03:11: The impact of Singapore's future transformation plans on investors' buying patterns  08:03: What issues should continue to be addressed at the Ministry of National Development's Forward Singapore conversations on public housing? 10:05: As more HDB resale flats cross the $1 million mark, how can the affordability of public housing in Singapore be managed better? 

The number of permanent residency issued in Singapore last year was the highest in a decade.This was revealed in the Government's annual Population in Brief report on Tuesday (27 Sep).  In the Straits Times The Big Story, Multimedia journalist, Cheow Sue-Ann spoke with Walter Theseira, Associate Professor of Economics at the Singapore University of Social Sciences, on the findings of the report.

Digital transformation is on our agenda today. On that note, did you know that Temasek has partnered with infotech company UST to set up a startup that provides digital transformation solutions for Temasek portfolio companies and government agencies?  Called Temus, the startup has grown to a 200-strong workforce since it launched last year, with ambitions to expand five-fold over the next three years.  Why is this startup set up in the first place? How will it help our Singapore businesses transform digitally? And how much financial value can local businesses unlock by investing in digital solutions?  On Market View, Prime Time's finance presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Keat Chuan Yeoh, Chief Executive Officer of Temus.

In the Spotlight on Prime Time this week, Bharati Jagdish speaks with Rob Hugh-Jones, Editor at the BBC in London, on several global news making headlines this week. First they touched on reactions to the UK’s mini-budget, where the British pound tumbled to a record low as traders scampered for the exits on speculation that the new government’s economic plan will stretch its finances to the limit. They also discuss Italy's first female Prime Minister, the referenda in Ukraine and former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s state funeral taking place tomorrow.

Singapore’s inflation has hit the highest level in 14 years, while Japan’s inflation trend measures have just reached a record high.  As businesses watch inflation numbers rise month after month, what can they do to fight back beyond raising prices on customers? Prime Time’s Bharati Jagdish spoke with Amitabh Sarkar, Vice President and Head of Asia Pacific and Japan for Enterprise, Tata Communications and Official Broadcast Connectivity Provider for the F1 races globally to find out how companies can invest in technology to counteract long term inflation.

The British pound tumbled to a record low yesterday, prompting speculation of an emergency response from the Bank of England. In The Straits Times’ The Big Story, Multimedia Correspondent Cheow Sue-Ann speaks with Saktiandi Supaat, Regional Head of Forex Research and Strategy at Maybank on the implications for consumers in Singapore.

Business transformation is on our agenda this week, and we start off by looking at how trade associations and chambers are helping firms in Singapore transform their businesses to become more sustainable and green.  On this note, the Singapore Business Federation has recently launched a new MAP initiative to chart out a pathway to guide companies through every stage of their decarbonisation journey.  But how does this work? To what extent will this help firms meet their green goals, and how can this help local firms improve their cash flows and their top and bottom lines? On Market View, Prime Time's Finance Presenter Chua Tian Tian posed these questions to Tan Chee Wee, Executive Director of Advocacy & Policy Division, Singapore Business Federation.