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Weekly News Select
May 15, 2020 / Issue 20
Top News for the Week
• Some house hunters buying homes after virtual viewings
• More time for up to 500 private home projects to meet deadlines
• DBS to hire over 2,000 this year despite pandemic
• Jem mall to host Ikea's first small-store concept in Asean
• Coronavirus curbs won't all be lifted after June 1, says minister
• Details out next week on first sectors to re-open after circuit breaker
• Homebuyers get 6 months to review new purchase
• Over 8,500 business entities close shop in April; highest in recent years
• Changi to suspend T4 as passenger numbers fall off the cliff in April
Residential
Some house hunters buying homes after virtual viewings
Some house hunters have relied solely on virtual viewings to inspect potential homes before
buying them, as circuit breaker measures that are in force till June 1 prevent people from viewing
houses in person.
Property agents typically set up a videoconference call on platforms like Zoom, where the seller
does a walk-through of his home in real time while the agent introduces the home to the potential
buyer. Alternatively, the seller can shoot a video home tour to send to the buyer.
Huttons Asia property agent Charlyene Choo has conducted at least five real-time viewings
through Zoom during the circuit breaker. She sold a new condominium unit in Tampines last
month, after her buyer viewed it through a 3D walk-through virtual showflat - the first such sale
in her nine-year career.
Link to the story:
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/housing/some-house-hunters-buying-homes-after-virtual-viewings
April home sales dive 62%; May unlikely to see improvement
Sales volumes for new private homes appear to have tumbled sharply in April as developers were
forced to shutter sales galleries and prospective buyers stayed home, while the extended circuit
breaker could spell a poorer performance in May.
As at May 12, data from the Urban Redevelopment Authority's (URA) Realis showed there were
277 new sales transactions of private homes, excluding executive condominiums (ECs), slumping
62 per cent year-on-year. Including ECs, which are a private-public hybrid, there were 293 new
homes sold in April.
According to Huttons Asia's director of research Lee Sze Teck, around two thirds of the
transactions in April took place before the circuit breaker kicked in on April 7. "It could be due to
buyers holding back for the circuit breaker to be lifted in May - which did not happen - or their
preference to see the physical units before committing," he said.
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May 15, 2020 / Issue 20
While developers have been increasingly turning to technology to market their projects to
prospective buyers during the circuit breaker, analysts say that buyers are likely to adopt a wait-
and-see approach when it comes to hefty purchases such as property.
The best selling projects in April were Kopar at Newton (83 units), Treasure at Tampines (28
units), Riverfront Residences (17 units) and JadeScape (12 units).
Looking ahead, there are unlikely to be any new project launches in June, reckons Mr Lee, adding
however that developers could be encouraged to launch in July ahead of the lunar seventh month
in August should June bring firm demand.
Link to the story:
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/april-home-sales-dive-62-may-unlikely-to-see-improvement
More time for up to 500 private home projects to meet deadlines
Up to about 500 private housing developments in Singapore could benefit from a six-month
extension for the completion and sale of the projects' housing units, said a Ministry of Finance
spokesman.
The extra time given to developers to meet conditions for additional buyer's stamp duty (ABSD)
remission is among a slew of temporary relief measures rolled out earlier this week. These are
meant to help developers and home buyers amid the circuit breaker period, which has disrupted
construction timelines and property sales.
The Government has extended the project completion period for eligible residential, commercial
and industrial developments by six months, with immediate effect.
Link to the story:
https://www.straitstimes.com/business/property/more-time-for-up-to-500-private-home-projects-to-meet-deadlines
Some expats in S'pore asking for rental cuts
Expatriates in Singapore are often envied for their generous pay packets, but, facing the prospect
of salary cuts as the coronavirus batters businesses, some are tightening their belts and asking for
lower rent.
Some landlords hold out because the types of apartments they own are in short supply or because
that rental income goes towards paying their own mortgages.
For those who do acquiesce, they are often "willing to close one eye because at least they get some
income instead of ending up empty-handed".
Link to the story:
https://www.straitstimes.com/business/property/some-expats-in-spore-asking-for-rental-cuts
Singapore April condo resale volume tumbles 57.3%
Resale volume for condominiums in Singapore tumbled 57.3 per cent in April to 309 units resold,
compared with 723 units in March, according to flash estimates from a real estate portal.
Year on year, resale volume was 62.2 per cent lower and 66.8 per cent lower than the five-year
average volumes for the month of April.
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May 15, 2020 / Issue 20
The outside central region (OCR) accounted for the bulk of resale volume at 58.1 per cent,
followed by 23.2 per cent from the rest of central region (RCR) and 18.8 per cent from the core
central region (CCR).
Overall prices in April were down 0.2 per cent from March 2020 and down 0.7 per cent from a
year ago. By region, the RCR saw prices dip 0.1 per cent, while OCR resale prices dropped 1.6
per cent. CCR prices, however, rose 0.4 per cent.
Links to the story:
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/singapore-april-condo-resale-volume-tumbles-573-srx-property
https://www.straitstimes.com/business/property/april-condo-resale-volume-dives-573-amid-circuit-breaker
Condo, HDB rental volumes plunge more than 36%
Demand for renting both non-landed private homes and Housing and Development Board (HDB)
flats dropped sharply last month, with market observers saying that this was due to the "circuit
breaker" measures implemented in April, which prevented prospective tenants from visiting and
viewing properties offered for lease.
Flash data released by a real estate portal showed that the number of non-landed private homes
leased fell by 36.5 per cent, to an estimated 3,068 units in April from 4,829 units in March.
April's rental volume for these private flats was not only 40.6 per cent lower from a year ago, but
it was also 32.3 per cent lower than the five-year average volume for the month.
Over in the HDB rental market, leasings fell last month by 36.7 per cent to 1,260 flats compared
with 1,990 in March.
HDB rental volumes in April were also down by 41.3 per cent from a year ago. They were also
39.3 per cent lower than the five-year average volume for the month.
Links to the story:
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/condo-hdb-rental-volumes-plunge-more-than-36
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/housing/condo-hdb-rental-volumes-plunge-amid-circuit-breaker
HDB resale flat volume falls 78% in April; only 423 units changed hands
Housing and Development Board (HDB) resale flat volumes plummeted by 78.3 per cent in April
from March to levels that observers said could be a historical low, as circuit breaker measures put
in place to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus curb house viewings.
Just 423 flats changed hands last month - also 78.1 per cent lower than in April last year.
Prices also fell, declining by 1.5 per cent for three-room flats, 0.2 per cent for four-room flats, and
1.8 per cent for executive flats.
Prices for five-room flats bucked the trend by rising 0.2 per cent.
Overall, resale prices in April were 0.04 per cent lower than March, although they were still 1 per
cent higher than in April last year.
Links to the story:
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/hdb-resale-flat-volume-falls-78-in-april-only-423-units-changed-
hands
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/hdb-resale-volume-falls-78-to-record-low
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May 15, 2020 / Issue 20
Commercial
DBS to hire over 2,000 this year despite pandemic
Southeast Asia's largest lender DBS said it is committed to hiring more than 2,000 people in
Singapore this year, notwithstanding the current economic downturn caused by the Covid-19
pandemic.
More than 1,000 of these job openings are new roles which are a mix of openings for fresh
graduates to apply as trainees, as well as more specialised roles for seasoned professionals.
There will also be no change to DBS's annual internship programmes which are expected to offer
some 400 roles in 2020, the lender said in a press statement, adding that these internships give
students the opportunity to "put their academic skills to the test in a real-world work environment".
Links to the story:
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/banking-finance/dbs-to-hire-over-2000-this-year-despite-pandemic
https://www.straitstimes.com/business/dbs-to-hire-2000-people-this-year-pledges-no-lay-offs
At least 38 Airbnb Singapore axed in global layoff
Airbnb has laid off at least 38 staff in Singapore as part of its move to slash 1,900 employees, or a
quarter of its workforce globally, according to a talent portal the company set up for affected staff.
The portal lists the names and LinkedIn profiles of the retrenched employees on an opt-in basis,
categorised by location. Affected Singapore employees include executives in customer service,
sales, marketing, IT, design and business development roles.
Links to the story:
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/garage/at-least-38-airbnb-singapore-axed-in-global-layoff
Johor to set up investment firm in Singapore
The Johor state government is planning to set up an investment company in Singapore soon in an
effort to boost bilateral ties with its neighbour across the Causeway.
The main function of the Johor Investment Company (Jico) is to improve and ease trade between
the southern Malaysian state and Singapore.
Link to the story:
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/johor-to-set-up-investment-firm-in-singapore
Retail
Jem mall to host Ikea's first small-store concept in Asean
Swedish meatballs and home furnishings by Ikea are set to land in Singapore's western region,
when the retailer opens an outlet in Jem shopping centre in 2021.
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May 15, 2020 / Issue 20
This will be its first small-store concept in South-east Asia, whereby the Swedish home goods
giant becomes a tenant within a mall instead of establishing another of its iconic warehouse-format
blue buildings.
The outlet at the Jurong East suburban mall will be spread across three floors and span some 6,500
square metres or almost 70,000 square feet (sq ft). It will be Ikea's third store in Singapore.
The newest outlet will not have a playground or a built-in warehouse. Products will be organised
within a single department, instead of being showcased separately according to each core area of
the home.
Links to the story:
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/jem-mall-to-host-ikeas-first-small-store-concept-in-asean
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/ikea-to-open-new-store-at-jem-next-year
Retail, F&B players in Singapore to push for fair tenancy legislation
Industry stakeholders from the battered retail and F&B sectors will be pushing for the adoption of
landlord-tenant legislation in Singapore, when it unveils its list of recommendations on May 21.
The Fair Tenancy Framework Industry Committee (FTFIC), formed with representation from the
Singapore Business Federation SME Committee (SBF SMEC), Association of Small & Medium
Enterprises (ASME), Restaurant Association of Singapore (RAS), Singapore Retail Association
(SRA), and Singapore Tenants United for Fairness (SGTUFF), collectively represents more than
10,000 companies, said ASME president Kurt Wee.
Links to the story:
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/retail-fb-players-in-singapore-to-push-for-fair-tenancy-
legislation
Government
Coronavirus curbs won't all be lifted after June 1, says minister
Life will not go back to normal immediately after June 1, when Singapore's Covid-19 circuit
breaker period comes to an end, said National Development Minister Lawrence Wong during a
virtual press conference.
While the Government will continue to monitor and assess the situation in the coming days and
weeks as it decides what should be done after the circuit breaker, he stated categorically that there
was no scenario where normalcy returns next month.
"Whatever the decision, whatever happens in the coming days or weeks, it is clearly not going to
be the case that after June 1 everything will be lifted, and we will go back to status quo ante."
Rather, Singapore will see a "gradual, calibrated easing", said Mr Wong.x
Links to the story:
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/curbs-wont-all-be-lifted-after-june-1-says-minister
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/firms-should-not-rush-to-reopen-without-safeguards
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/public-urged-not-to-rush-out-when-measures-ease-on-may-12
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/strict-measures-for-firms-to-prevent-new-wave-of-virus
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/ease-curbs-carefully-to-avoid-large-peak-in-infections-expert
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www.huttonsgroup.comWeekly News Select
May 15, 2020 / Issue 20
Details out next week on first sectors to re-open after circuit breaker
Details of the economic sectors or businesses involved in the first step of Singapore's post-circuit
breaker re-opening will be shared next week, with many of these likely to be "more essential
services", said Health Minister Gan Kim Yong at a press conference by the Multi-Ministry
Taskforce (MTF) on Covid-19.
He reiterated that even as the country nears the end of circuit breaker measures on June 1, not
everything will re-open at once.
As for travel restrictions, these will continue to be reviewed and updated. Singapore is prepared to
work bilaterally or with a grouping of countries that are prepared to put in place similar safeguards,
such as testing pre-departure or upon arrival.
Links to the story:
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/details-out-next-week-on-first-sectors-to-re-open-after-
circuit-breaker
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-eyes-cautious-easing-of-curbs-if-new-cases-stay-low
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/allowing-people-to-visit-relatives-after-june-1-under-cautious-study
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/reopening-of-the-economy-will-be-gradual-and-phased
S$16b in government Covid-19 support disbursed between March and May so far
From March to May, firms and individuals in Singapore have received S$16 billion in government
assistance to weather the Covid-19 crisis so far, Second Minister for Finance Indranee Rajah wrote
in a Facebook post.
This support was given in Budget 2020 and the two supplementary Budgets that followed. It
includes S$7 billion under the Jobs Support Scheme, which offsets wages for local employees.
Another S$4 billion will be paid out under the scheme in May.
More than S$2.5 billion has been given out in the form of property tax and corporate income tax
rebates, as well as waivers and rebates of foreign work levies.
Individuals and households have received S$2 billion, including the Solidarity Payment of S$600
to all adult citizens, as well as the GST Voucher U-Save and S&CC (service and conservancy
charges) rebates for eligible households.
Under the Temporary Relief Fund, which was only available in April, S$200 million was disbursed
in one-off cash assistance of S$500 to some 450,000 people.
There is now the Covid-19 Support Grant, which provides up to S$800 per month for three months
for those who have lost their jobs, are on compulsory no-pay leave, or have suffered a significant
salary cut for at least three consecutive months.
In May, Self-Employed Person Income Relief Scheme payments will begin, with S$300 million
to be paid out in the first tranche to over 100,000 self-employed persons.
Links to the story:
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/s16b-in-government-covid-19-support-disbursed-between-
march-and-may-so-far
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/over-16b-in-govt-aid-disbursed-to-sporeans-businesses
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/over-16b-in-covid-19-govt-aid-given-out-so-far-indranee
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www.huttonsgroup.comWeekly News Select
May 15, 2020 / Issue 20
New S$6m grant scheme to aid Singapore fintechs amid Covid-19
A new S$6 million grant scheme to support Singapore fintech firms has been collectively rolled
out by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), the Singapore FinTech Association (SFA)
and AMTD Group and AMTD Foundation (AMTD), amid the challenging business climate due
to the Covid-19 crisis.
The grant will help fintech firms in Singapore maintain their operations, and enable them to
continue to innovate and grow. It complements the S$125 million support package announced by
MAS on April 8 to sustain and strengthen capabilities in the financial services and fintech sectors,
said MAS, SFA and AMTD in a joint statement.
AMTD has provided an initial S$2 million to support the fintech ecosystem in Singapore, while
MAS will provide an additional S$4 million from the Financial Sector Development Fund, taking
the total grant amount to S$6 million.
Links to the story:
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/banking-finance/new-s6m-grant-scheme-to-aid-singapore-fintechs-amid-covid-
19
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/6m-grant-to-support-spore-fintech-firms
Coronavirus: Task force exploring ways to protect construction workers in Singapore
An industry task force is examining how Covid-19 infections can be prevented in the construction
sector when work gradually resumes after the circuit breaker ends, The Straits Times has learnt.
Comprising eight to 10 members of the Singapore Contractors Association Limited (Scal), it is
working with the authorities to devise new practices.
Details are still in the works, but the guidelines being looked at will cover safe worksites,
accommodation and transport.
Link to the story:
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/task-force-exploring-ways-to-protect-construction-workers
Coronavirus: All TCM halls can reopen from next Tuesday
All traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) medical halls will be allowed to open from 12 May, to
meet the demand for such services, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said.
As part of the easing of circuit breaker measures, the Government had earlier given the green light
for the 130 medical halls attached to registered TCM practitioners to open.
Only these were allowed to sell retail products as well as provide consultation and herbal
dispensary services.
Mr Gan said of the decision to now allow all TCM medical halls to offer retail services: "This will
provide more convenience, especially for our seniors."
Links to the story:
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/all-tcm-halls-can-reopen-from-next-tuesday
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May 15, 2020 / Issue 20
Homebuyers get 6 months to review new purchase
Homebuyers facing buyers' remorse will have six months to mull over whether they should go
ahead with their purchase as they are now also given cover under the temporary relief measures
from legal action as a result of Covid-19.
The Ministry of Law (MinLaw) said that the Covid-19 (Temporary Measures) Act which provides
temporary relief to those unable to fulfil contractual obligations as a result of Covid-19 will now
also cover options to purchase (OTPs), sale and purchase (S&P) agreements or agreements for
lease (AFLs) for residential property.
Like other contracts covered by the Act, these contracts must have been entered into before March
25, 2020, with contractual performance due on or after Feb 1, 2020.
MinLaw said that only OTPs and S&P agreements/AFLs between housing developers - both
private housing developers and the Housing & Development Board (HDB) - and buyers will be
covered.
Links to the story:
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/real-estate/homebuyers-get-6-months-to-review-new-purchase
https://www.straitstimes.com/business/relief-for-home-buyers-with-payment-problems
https://www.straitstimes.com/business/developers-will-work-out-amicable-arrangements-with-buyers-redas
Singapore, Chongqing working together to keep supply chains open
Singapore is working closely with the Chinese city of Chongqing to keep supply chains open amid
the Covid-19 pandemic, Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing said.
Writing on Facebook after he and Manpower Minister Josephine Teo met the city's Party Secretary
Chen Min'er and Mayor Tang Liangzhi in a video conference, Mr Chan said both sides also
discussed ways to progressively resume travel.
During the call, both sides also inked eight agreements in areas including financial services, trade
in food products, transport and logistics.
Link to the story:
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/singapore-chongqing-working-together-to-keep-supply-chains-open
Economy
Over 8,500 business entities close shop in April; highest in recent years
A total of 8,663 business entities closed in April - more than double the number of cessations in
March, as the novel coronavirus pandemic continues to bite.
In contrast, the number of business entities formed in April at 3,767 was the lowest since 2013.
Figures for the first three months this year were in the range of 4,514 to 5,082.
Economists warn that more business entities will go under after the government cuts wage support
for most sectors as the "circuit breaker" ends and the temporary freeze on loan repayments is lifted.
The spike in the April figure means that job losses will also swell in the second quarter.
Huttons Asia Pte Ltd | L3008899K | ROC No. 200210087C | GST Reg No. 20-0210087-C
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www.huttonsgroup.comWeekly News Select
May 15, 2020 / Issue 20
Links to the story:
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/over-8500-business-entities-close-shop-in-april-highest-in-
recent-years
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/higher-forced-liquidations-this-year-with-pandemic-yet-
to-do-its-worst
Job cuts may offer short-term relief but lead to longer-term pain, employers warned
While many are bracing for a spike in unemployment as the Covid-19 pandemic wears on, industry
watchers have a word of warning for companies that are planning to lay off their staff: this short-
term relief could usher in longer-term pain.
"As productivity inevitably picks up, quite often in a relatively short period, it becomes more
difficult for these organisations to ramp back up and meet pent-up demand for their products,
which in turn can cause the slowdown to last even longer for them," Kartikey Singh, associate
client partner of advisory at organisational consulting firm Korn Ferry, told The Business Times.
Layoffs are also counterproductive in that they weigh on staff morale during crises and natural
disasters, for those who are witness to the layoffs, a situation that Vishnu Varathan, head of
economics and strategy at Mizuho Bank called "lose-lose".
While cutting jobs might be seen as saving costs for the employer, Walter Theseira, an economist
from the Singapore University of Social Sciences, said that this is not so.
"It means a permanent reduction in business capabilities because workers build up expertise and
experience with a specific employer over time," Assoc Prof Theseira explained. "An experienced
worker cannot be replaced easily."
This is why it makes sense for employers to hold on to their workers as long as they expect a
recovery in business conditions in the near to medium term, he said.
Links to the story:
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/job-cuts-may-offer-short-term-relief-but-lead-to-longer-
term-pain-employers
Number of bankruptcy applications at the lowest since October 2016
Personal bankruptcy applications in Singapore have fallen to the lowest since October 2016 with
temporary legal provisions having kicked in last month, and as non-urgent proceedings take a
hiatus amid tightened lockdown measures.
The number of individuals applying for bankruptcy was 160 in April, a 65 per cent dip from the
462 cases in March - the highest monthly figure this year thus far.
The last time monthly bankruptcy applications fell to the hundreds was in October 2016, when 158
applications were made.
The slide comes after temporary laws taking effect last month raised the debt thresholds for
personal bankruptcy and corporate insolvency.
Links to the story:
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/number-of-bankruptcy-applications-at-the-lowest-since-
october-2016
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www.huttonsgroup.comWeekly News Select
May 15, 2020 / Issue 20
Hospitality
MICE companies struggling to survive, request more support
Despite increased financial support for businesses amid the novel coronavirus outbreak, companies
in the meetings, incentive travel, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) ecosystem are still
struggling to survive and dreading the end of the circuit breaker when wage subsidies for them
will revert to lower levels.
Revenue has almost completely dried up for most organisers and suppliers to the MICE industry
since February, when event cancellations began.
Some have already had to implement pay cuts and no-pay leave, despite receiving 75 per cent
wage offsets from the Jobs Support Scheme (JSS) for April and May.
The situation is set to worsen in June, because these companies are categorised among "general
companies" that will get only 25 per cent subsidies from then on.
Links to the story:
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/mice-companies-struggling-to-survive-request-more-
support
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/firms-prepare-for-changes-in-events-landscape
S'pore travel sector faces uncertain future amid Covid-19
Just like many Singaporeans' travel arrangements, plans for the country's biggest biannual travel
fairs are also up in the air.
The National Association of Travel Agents Singapore's (Natas) event was postponed from
February to this month and eventually cancelled, with no updates on any upcoming edition, while
Travel Revolution - organised by the Singapore Outbound Travel Agents Association (Sotaa) -
will not be held this year, or even next year.
Link to the story:
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/spore-travel-sector-faces-uncertain-future-amid-covid-19
Changi to suspend T4 as passenger numbers fall off the cliff in April
Changi Airport will be temporarily suspending operations at Terminal 4 (T4) from May 16 in a
further consolidation of terminal operations.
This comes as the airport's passenger movement numbers dived 99.5 per cent to 25,200 in April,
from 5.6 million in the same month in 2019, according to air traffic statistics released by Changi
Airport Group (CAG).
Year-to-date passenger movements stood at 11.1 million, 49.7 per cent lower compared with 22
million in the period of January to April 2019.
T4's suspension of operations comes in view of the small number of flights still operating in the
terminals. The move will allow CAG and its airport partners to continue to save running costs such
as utilities and cleaning, the group said.
T4's operations will resume when air travel demand picks up and on the requirements of airlines
seeking to relaunch flights at the airport, CAG said.
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May 15, 2020 / Issue 20
Links to the story:
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/transport/changi-to-suspend-t4-as-passenger-numbers-fall-off-the-cliff-in-april
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/changi-t4-to-suspend-ops-from-saturday
Hyatt laying off 1,300 staff globally as pandemic cripples travel
Hyatt Hotels said it would lay off 1,300 people globally as it tries to cope with the coronavirus
crisis, which has virtually halted global travel.
A Hyatt spokesman told The Straits Times that staff who have been affected are in roles that have
global or regional corporate functions.
She said these include a small number of staff in Singapore in corporate function roles, but would
not comment on the number who will be impacted. Hotel-level staff are not affected.
Link to the story:
https://www.straitstimes.com/business/property/hyatt-laying-off-1300-staff-globally-as-pandemic-cripples-travel
Virus pushes Food&HotelAsia trade show to May 2022
The specialist trade show for hotels, restaurants and cafe suppliers, FHA-HoReCa, will be
postponed by two years to 2022, the event's organiser Informa Markets said.
It was to have taken place at the Singapore Expo from March 3-6 this year, but was at first
postponed to July 13-16 due to the Covid-19 outbreak.
But with the global hospitality and tourism industries still struggling to deal with the pandemic,
the event has been postponed a second time. It will take place on May 10-13, 2022 instead, with
the venue unchanged.
Links to the story:
https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/government-economy/virus-pushes-foodhotelasia-trade-show-to-may-2022
Home-grown bar Jigger & Pony tops Asia's 50 Best Bars list
Home-grown cocktail bar Jigger & Pony at Amara Singapore hotel has clinched the top spot on
Asia's 50 Best Bars list for the first time.
Climbing eight spots from its No. 9 position last year, the bar ousted Hong Kong's The Old Man,
which this year placed at No. 2.
Three other Singapore bars placed in the top 10 - Atlas at Parkview Square maintained its No. 5
spot; Native in Amoy Street fell two spots to No. 6; and Manhattan in Regent Singapore dropped
six spots to No. 8. Manhattan, which took the top spot on the list in 2017 and 2018, also took home
the Art of Hospitality award, given to the bar with the top hospitality experience.
Link to the story:
https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/food/home-grown-bar-jigger-pony-tops-asias-50-best-bars-list
Huttons Asia Pte Ltd | L3008899K | ROC No. 200210087C | GST Reg No. 20-0210087-C
3 Bishan Place #05-01, CPF Building, S (579838) | Tel. (65) 6253 0030 | Fax (65) 6253 0090
www.huttonsgroup.comWeekly News Select
May 15, 2020 / Issue 20
Contact:
Lee Sze Teck
Head, Research
(65) 6500 6510
szetecklee@huttonsgroup.com
This document has been prepared by Huttons Asia for general information only. Huttons Asia does not guarantee warrant or represent that the
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