有幸出席“2026临沂外贸优品(新加坡)经贸对接会 #173
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有幸出席“2026临沂外贸优品(新加坡)经贸对接会 #173

昨晚承蒙学强邀请,我有幸出席“2026临沂外贸优品(新加坡)经贸对接会”,与来自临沂和新加坡的企业家及各界朋友交流。#173 席间最难得的,是与一桌背景各异的新老朋友畅谈——既有在新加坡扎根的第一代华人,也有传承至第四代的新加坡华人,还有正在新加坡工作、并积极探索东盟商机的中国朋友。不同的人生经历与商业视角汇聚在一起,让这个夜晚格外丰富。 跨境合作不只关乎产品与市场。真正决定一段关系能走多远的,往往是信任、物流、安全与信誉。机会可以促成一次会面,但唯有可靠的履约、清晰的责任和长期建立的互信,才能让合作跨越地域与周期。 新加坡与临沂之间的双向联系,可以成为更广阔区域合作的起点:从中国与新加坡出发,延伸至东南亚,并进一步连接美国、欧洲及其他国际市场。重要的并非一开始就定义所有可能,而是先把正确的人、可信的能力与共同的长期视野连接起来。 感谢学强的盛情邀请,也感谢当晚每一位新老朋友的真诚交流。许多有意义的合作,往往始于一张餐桌、一场坦诚的对话,以及彼此愿意长期同行的信任。 — Grateful to 学强 for inviting me to last night’s 2026 Linyi High-Quality Export Goods (Singapore) Economic & Trade Matching Conference. One of the evening’s highlights was sharing a table with people whose connections to Singapore span remarkably different journeys—from first-generation Chinese immigrants to fourth-generation Singaporean Chinese, alongside friends from…

Robots, speed dating and an unmanned booth: notes from The Business Show Asia and AIMX 2026 #172
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Robots, speed dating and an unmanned booth: notes from The Business Show Asia and AIMX 2026 #172

Robots, speed dating and an unmanned booth: notes from The Business Show Asia and AIMX 2026 #172 The Business Show Asia promised scale—8,000+ visitors and 250 exhibitors—while AIMX focused on real-world and embodied AI. For The Thousand Ships, I found potential collaborations across Singapore, Japan, China and the Philippines. “Speed Networking” was business’s answer to…

Franchisng Licensing Association event at Marina Bay Sands 2026
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It was inspiring to be part of Franchising & Licensing Asia 2026 at Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre. #169

It was inspiring to be part of Franchising & Licensing Asia 2026 at Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre. #169 Across F&B, education, fashion and other sectors, one message came through clearly: as brand owners expand into Southeast Asia, they are seeking trusted partners who can drive sustainable revenue while creating meaningful benefits for…

Beyond Partnerships: Where Growth Comes Next #168
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Beyond Partnerships: Where Growth Comes Next #168

Beyond Partnerships: Where Growth Comes Next #168 I had the privilege of attending the SMEICC Conference Series 2026, organised by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCCI). The conference reinforced that we are navigating a world that is increasingly fragmented, geopolitically contested and being reshaped by AI. Yet amidst these challenges, ASEAN continues…

Are We Ready for a New World? | Reflections from the 7th Annual GEX Conference 2026 #167
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Are We Ready for a New World? | Reflections from the 7th Annual GEX Conference 2026 #167

Are We Ready for a New World? | Reflections from the 7th Annual GEX Conference 2026 #167 It was a privilege to attend Dr Patrick Liew’s 7th Annual GEX Conference 2026, where diplomats, economists and business leaders shared their perspectives on navigating an increasingly uncertain world. A key takeaway was that today’s geopolitical landscape bears…

HR Learning Fest 2026 Executive Masterclass at Singapore Polytechnic #165
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HR Learning Fest 2026 Executive Masterclass at Singapore Polytechnic #165

Spent the morning at the HR Learning Fest 2026 Executive Masterclass at Singapore Polytechnic on the theme:“Work, Reimagined. People, Elevated.” A few takeaways stood out: #165 🔹 Only 28.5% of firms in Singapore have adopted AI, while just 3.8% have actively integrated it into business processes. 🔹 Among firms adopting AI, more are redesigning roles,…

ST Engineering Cybersecurity Event and SIGEP 2026. Good to see familiar faces.
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Some business conversations take an hour. Others take only a few minutes. Both can create meaningful opportunities. #164

Some business conversations take an hour. Others take only a few minutes. Both can create meaningful opportunities.#164 Yesterday, I attended two very different events: SIGEP 2026 and the SME Cybersecurity Symposium with ST Engineering. SIGEP brought together businesses exploring franchising, food, hospitality, technology and regional expansion. The cybersecurity symposium focused on a different but increasingly…

Polymer Compression May Trigger the Next Consolidation Wave #160
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Polymer Compression May Trigger the Next Consolidation Wave #160

📉 Southeast Asia’s plastics market is now showing deeper signs of stress. Recent regional data suggests PE and PP prices continue moving sharply lower, driven by weak downstream demand, aggressive US / Chinese / South Korean cargoes, falling crude and feedstock costs, and buyers maintaining hand-to-mouth purchasing strategies. For manufacturers and converters, cheaper virgin resin…

#157 When Good Introductions Break Down: Trust, Records and Cross-Border Real Estate
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#157 When Good Introductions Break Down: Trust, Records and Cross-Border Real Estate

In cross-border real estate, relationships often begin warmly — meetings, meals, introductions, group chats, brand names and referral chains. But serious work begins only after the deal is done. A recent Manila condominium administration matter reminded me why overseas property ownership cannot rely on goodwill alone. This matter involved a Robinsons Land Corporation-linked sales agent,…

#156 We are pleased to share that iMerv Digital Pte Ltd is now a Green 100 SME
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#156 We are pleased to share that iMerv Digital Pte Ltd is now a Green 100 SME

#156 We are pleased to share that iMerv Digital Pte Ltd is now a Green 100 SME, TR 149 Essential aligned, issued by the Singapore Environment Council (SEC). For us, this is not just a badge. It is a practical step in strengthening our sustainability governance as we continue developing The Thousand Ships ecosystem across…