The Afternoon Update with Lynlee Foo

In this episode, we explore the evolving global economic landscape as 2025 begins, from inflation trends to shifting investor behaviour. We also discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by the asset management industry, including the rise of passive investing and the impact of AI and big data. With geopolitical tensions shaping Singapore's role as a financial hub, we speak with Thomas Kaegi, Chairman of the Investment Management Association of Singapore (IMAS) Development Committee, to gain insights into the future of asset management in the region.

Traditional farming methods are giving way to innovative technologies as farmers increasingly prioritise productivity. Many are navigating challenges such as increased input prices, extreme weather events, and commodity price volatility. From aeroponics and hydroponics to vertical farming, advancements in technology are changing how we think about food production, especially in urban landscapes like Singapore, where land is scarce, and the need for locally grown produce is crucial. Leonard Teo, Founder of urban aeroponics farm, Straits Agriculture shares more insights.  

Gaming and e-sports have quickly evolved from niche hobbies to cultural phenomena, influencing everything from entertainment to education. With billions of players worldwide and an ever-growing audience for competitive gaming, the industry has become a cornerstone of the digital economy. As we look ahead to 2025, what will the future hold for gaming and e-sports in Singapore and the Asia region? Nikhil Hathiramani, Co-Founder and CEO of esports consultancy IMPLS Entertainment and Paper Rex, one of Asia's premiere professional esports teams shares insights into the dynamic landscape on Industry Insight.  

LinkedIn found that more than two-thirds of Singapore professionals are looking to switch roles in 2025 – surpassing the global average of 58 per cent. This is despite rising challenges in the job search, with 61 per cent of respondents reporting that the process of seeking new employment has grown increasingly difficult. Many are frustrated with applying for more roles but hearing back less frequently. Apart from standing out during applications, other obstacles included looking for roles that match personal criteria and negotiating salaries. Be it employees or employers, how should we be rethinking our strategies to prioritise well-being, flexibility, and work-ready skills that are required to thrive in a rapidly changing environment? Feon Ang, LinkedIn's Managing Director for Asia Pacific, shares insights into the employment industry and the evolving dynamics of the job market as well as LinkedIn's latest “Jobs on the Rise” report, which looks at the fastest growing jobs in Singapore.

More details have emerged recently about the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone. Nine flagship zones have been announced, and that there will be two separate funds committed by the Singapore and Malaysian governments into the economic zone. The special economic zone is poised to become a transformative initiative, and experts see the real estate sector as a significant driver for long-term growth With increased connectivity and a shared vision for development, this initiative could reshape property demand, values, and opportunities on both sides of the border. To help us unpack the potential impact of this Special Economic Zone on the real estate landscape, we’re joined by Chua Shir Yee, Head of International Sales from PropNex.

Experts say the global ESG fund landscape will look significantly different in 2025 which could see a much-needed pragmatism to push for the actions – and finance – to implement the transition towards a more resilient global economy for the 2030s and beyond. What are the factors that will be recurring themes for investors? London-based Hortense Bioy, head of sustainable investing research, at financial services firm Morningstar shares insights into the themes sustainability-aware investors should know about.

China's economy faced significant challenges in 2024, including a property downturn, local government funding issues, and a sluggish labour market. As the World Bank raises China's economic growth forecast for 2024 and 2025, questions remain whether the country can overcome challenges in confidence and the property sector. Is the world's second-largest economy heading into another tumultuous year? What’s in store for China’s economy in 2025?  Hong Kong-based economist for Asia Pacific at global financial institution, Natixis, Gary Ng shares his perspectives on what to expect.

With the World Health Organisation predicting a near doubling of the global population over 60 years old by 2050, businesses are increasingly navigating the complexities of a multigenerational workforce. From Gen Z to Baby Boomers, Asia Pacific workplaces host a unique blend of perspectives, experiences, and skills. While this diversity drives innovation and problem-solving, it also presents challenges in fostering collaboration and alignment across generations. What are the strategies to unlock the value and full potential of a multi-generational workforce? Simon Tate, Asia Pacific President at enterprise cloud application provider Workday, shares his views in addition to insights from the company's recent multi-generational report.  

The global EV landscape has undergone a massive change. Chinese EV manufacturers led by BYD have successfully combined technological advancement with cost efficiency to create vehicles that appeal to domestic and international market. As Southeast Asia accelerates its push for electrification, EV adoption is transforming the region's automotive landscape. NETA Automobile, manufactured by Shanghai-based Hozon Auto is one of the new Chinese brands making its debut at this year's Singapore Motorshow. Its distributor Evology Automobile will introduce two vehicles, NETA X and NETA AYA to motorists here. Despite the recent safety rating of NETA AYA's predecessor NETA V, at the Asean New Car Assessment Programme crash test, Nathan Koh, Sales Manager, Evology Automobile Pte Ltd is confident of capturing the Singapore market. Koh and Gao Peng, Overseas Sales Director of Asia Pacific Region at NETA Automobile, give their perspectives on the EV market in Singapore and share more about the new NETA vehicles.

The advent of autonomous agents signals a transformative shift in the field of artificial intelligence. Top executives from tech giants like Google, Nvidia, Microsoft, and OpenAI are at the forefront of the revolution unveiling their own AI agents which are pegged to be the next big thing in 2025. How will AI agents be deployed? Is it just hype or a game-changer that will transform the way businesses operate? Gavin Barfield, Chief Technology Officer and VP of Solution Engineering for ASEAN at Salesforce shares his insights into what he calls "one of the biggest technology transformations of the generation" - agentic AI.