Breakfast with Ryan Huang, Emaad Akhtar and Audrey Siek

In this week's Weekly Wrap Up, we discuss some of the headlines that shook Singapore's business scene even through this Covid-19 pandemic. 

Jeff Halley, Senior Market Analyst, OANDA, discusses what will be the next big trends next year for investors to watch.

In celebration of Grand Hyatt Singapore's 50th anniversary milestone, it will be embarking on a two-year renovation project. The renovation will consist of infrastructural and design upgrades, as well as remodeling of the hotel’s guest rooms, selected restaurants, Damai Spa & Fitness Centre and wellness areas. Parveen Kumar, Hotel Manager, Grand Hyatt Singapore shares how Grand Hyatt Singapore has established and sustained its position as a leader in the hospitality industry, and what sets them apart from its competitors. 

According to a study by Aon, the Covid-19 pandemic has weighed heavily on talent strategies with muted salary increases across Southeast Asia. The study found that in Singapore, salary increases across industries dropped to 3.3 percent in 2021 from 3.8 percent in 2020. Rahul Chawla, Head of Human Capital Solutions, Southeast Asia, Aon shares some of the factors leading to the drop in both salary increment and bonus pay out despite the economy recovering, and if the findings from his study actually lead to The Great Resignation in certain sectors. 

Inspiring athletes, courageous community heroes and advocates championing their chosen causes are among the nominees for this year's The Straits Times Singaporean of the Year award, presented by global wealth manager UBS Singapore. We discuss some of the potential winners who have put the country on the world map or persevered to overcome great adversity. 

In this morning's The Breakfast Brief, we discuss the easing of Omicron fears on growing evidence that the fast-spreading strain leads to milder symptoms, Dr. Anthony Fauci's prediction of the U.S. Omicron Covid wave in January, and Chinese technology giants on talent-poaching spree in Singapore. 

Suan Teck Kin, Head of Research, UOB discusses how Omicron, inflation, central bank policies and supply chain disruptions will impact the global economy and markets in the first quarter.

Synopsis: The Straits Times analyses South-east Asia's top news developments in this weekly podcast. The Straits Times' regional correspondent Leslie Lopez chats with Money FM's Elliot Danker and Bharati Jagdish. Highlights (click/tap above): 0:55 Which countries were most impacted by Covid-19 2:35 Looking back on Southeast Asia's climate disasters  4:26 Myanmar's relationship with ASEAN 5:47 South China Sea dispute update 6:57 Summary of Malaysia's political troubles Produced by: Leslie Lopez (ljlopez@sph.com.sg), The Breakfast Huddle, Money FM 89.3, Hadyu Rahim Edited by: Dan Koh Subscribe to our Asian Insider Podcast channel to follow our various shows each week and rate us on your favourite audio apps: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wQsB  Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Leslie Lopez's stories: https://str.sg/3xRX Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters --- Discover more ST podcast series: Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover BT Podcasts:  http://bt.sg/podcasts Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

While businesses here in Singapore have done well in future proofing themselves, more still needs to be done for survival moving forward. Hemant Doshi, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Metigy shares the importance of digital marketing strategies for SMEs and how they can effectively use it to move towards the next phase of recovery.

In line with Singapore’s decarbonisation priorities, the newly launched GE’s Advanced Manufacturing & Repair Technology Centre is set to offer new, improved repair capabilities for the world-leading energy-efficient GE GA gas turbines. Dominic Ang, General Manager, GE Repair Solutions Singapore joins us on The Breakfast Huddle to share more about this new facility and how it plays a key role in the nation's sustainable energy transition.