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The industry is Maui's "economic engine," generating 80% of its wealth, according to the island's economic development board. Hotels in West Maui have temporarily stopped accepting bookings. Many are housing their employees and preparing to house evacuees and first-responders working on disaster recovery, according to the tourism authority. "Maui is not closed," Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen said at the weekend press conference alongside the governor. Tour operators who continued to offer services in or around West Maui after the fires faced a flood of criticism.

Persons: Mike Blake, Jason Momoa, Maui, Josh Green, Green, Ilihia Gionson, Richard Bissen, Jack Richards, Rich McKay, Doyinsola Oladipo, Julia Harte, Colleen Jenkins, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, Hawaii, Hawaii Department of Business, Economic, Tourism, U.S . Census, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Hotels, Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Los, Thomson Locations: Wahikuli, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S, West Maui, Maui County, Wailea, South Maui, Los Angeles

☆ Lucasfilm shutters its Singapore studio after nearly 2 decades in the country amid Disney's plan to save $5.5 billion this year
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Kai Xiang Teo | Pete Syme | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Lucasfilm is shutting down its Singapore operations after nearly 20 years in the country. The shuttering comes amid Disney's push to save $5.5 billion in costs this year. Lucasfilm Singapore was the company's first international studio, located in its Star Wars-inspired "Sandcrawler" office. Lucasfilm is shutting down its Singapore operations after nearly two decades, the city-state's government said Tuesday. "Over the next several months, ILM will be consolidating its global footprint and winding down its Singapore studio due to economic factors affecting the industry," Disney said in a statement to the AFP.

Persons: Disney, Bob Iger, George Lucas Organizations: Lucasfilm, Lucasfilm Singapore, Morning, ILM, Force, AFP, Infocomm Media Development Authority, Disney, Channel News Asia, Cartoon Network, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Blackstone Group Locations: Singapore

The wildfires that leveled the town of Lahaina on Maui wiped out shops, restaurants and a hotel built more than century ago, burning across some of the most spectacular and wealthiest enclaves of the state. High-profile billionaires including Oprah Winfrey, Peter Thiel and Jeff Bezos all have homes on Maui. But the deadly blaze also destroyed something less visible yet vital to this island’s economic survival: modest houses and apartments where many workers running Maui’s booming tourism industry lived. The destruction in Lahaina has highlighted Maui’s longstanding challenge with housing for the people who work in its hotels and on its golf courses, without whom the island could not function as a beloved destination for visitors from around the world. “We already had a housing crisis,’’ said Leslie Wilkins, president of the Maui Economic Development Board.

Persons: Oprah Winfrey, Peter Thiel, Jeff Bezos, ’ ’, Leslie Wilkins, ” Organizations: Maui Economic Development Board Locations: Lahaina, Maui

New York CNN —The catastrophic wildfires in Maui have destroyed homes, churches, businesses and key cultural sites on Hawaii’s second-largest island. Maui authorities have asked tourists to leave the island and strongly discouraged nonessential travel to Maui. That means $4 of every $5 the island generates comes directly or indirectly from tourism, according to the Maui Economic Development Board. In 2019, 3.1 million people visited Maui. But that figure plunged to 793,000 during the height of the pandemic in 2020, according to the Maui Economic Development Board.

Organizations: New, New York CNN, Hawaii Tourism, Maui Economic Development Board, Tourism, Hawaii . Local, Maui Economic Development, Hawaii Tourism Authority Locations: New York, Maui, United States, Japan, Canada, Oahu, Hawaii, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Hawaii ., Tourism, Lahaina

☆ Marvell founders launch $2 bln chips foundry in Singapore
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Fanny Potkin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] Silicon Box's chiplets are displayed during the opening of their advanced semiconductor manufacturing foundry in Singapore July 20, 2023. REUTERS/Edgar SuSINGAPORE, July 20 (Reuters) - Singapore-based Silicon Box opened a $2 billion advanced semiconductor manufacturing foundry in the city-state on Thursday, as it seeks to broaden adoption of "chiplet" technology. Silicon Box was created by the founders of U.S chipmaker Marvell (MRVL.O), Sehat Sutardja and wife Weili Dai, along with current CEO BJ Han. CEO Han told Reuters that "customers had been lining up" even before the factory's launch, with artificial intelligence firms driving demand. He said Silicon Box was in talks to supply Canadian AI startup company Tenstorrent.

Persons: Edgar Su SINGAPORE, Sehat Sutardja, Weili Dai, BJ Han, Han, Fanny Potkin, Sam Holmes Organizations: REUTERS, Singapore's Economic, U.S chipmaker Marvell, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Singapore

☆ How Singapore has become a leading force in tech innovation
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-07 | by ( Sponsor Post | Created Insider Studios With Edb Singapore | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Over 13 years ago, AvePoint, a SaaS solutions provider based in New Jersey, recognized the potential of Southeast Asia and found its entry point in Singapore. "While Singapore is a very small country, the country's focus on talent development and productivity results in it leading the forefront of innovation with a strong tech ecosystem for talent and corporate success," he said. In Singapore, ServiceNow was able to access a unique business partnership with Singapore Airlines, the world's most-awarded airline and one of the region's largest customers, developing a system called SQNow, which streamlines and manages IT workflows. "Being successful in Singapore is often a gateway into other markets around Southeast Asia," Nehammer added. Why Singapore's brand continues to thriveSingapore's ascent as a global tech powerhouse is anchored on the pillars of innovation, business networks, and robust tech infrastructure.

Persons: Tianyi Jiang, ServiceNow, it's, Jiang, Nehammer, AvePoint Organizations: ASEAN, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Singapore government's Smart, Smart, Singapore, Singapore Airlines, NCS, Tech, Monetary Authority of Singapore, MAS, Higher, Insider Studios, Singapore Economic Development Board Locations: Singapore, New Jersey, Southeast Asia, Asia, Rhode

☆ A millennial couple in Singapore spent $40,000 renovating a 4-room public housing apartment and turned it into a modern Scandinavian-style home. Take a look inside.
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Amanda Goh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Amanda Goh/InsiderThe couple's apartment is part of the new Bidadari housing estate that was launched for sale in November 2016. Amanda Goh/InsiderThe couple designed their home in a modern Scandinavian style, with plenty of wood accents. It's also kind of expanded — we moved a wall inside just to open up the space," Teo said. Amanda Goh/InsiderThe couple collected the keys in June 2022 and started renovations a month later. Amanda Goh/InsiderThe couple also created a pie chart of the cost breakdown so they knew how much they spent on each room.

Persons: Vanessa Tan, Shannon Teo, —, It's, Tan, Teo —, they're, Teo, Amanda Goh, they'd, we're Organizations: Service, Board, Housing Locations: Singapore, Woodleigh, —, Instagram

CNN —Wall Street bankers, investors and economists have for months waffled over whether a US recession is coming. But for some Americans, the unforgiving economic pain typical during recession has already set in. Consumer spending accounts for about two-thirds of economic output, so if more Americans are forced to cut back because they were laid off, that might throw the US economy into a recession. Bank of America Chief Executive Brian Moynihan told CNN last week that he expects a mild recession early next year, rather than the late 2022 recession many have predicted. That means that laid-off Americans were often able to find a new job quickly due to a hot job market.

Persons: Al Brown, Brown, it’s, ” Brown, That’s, Allison Joyce, haven’t, Nina McCollum, hasn’t, She’s, ” McCollum, ”, Thomas Simons, ” Simons, Eva Marie Uzcategui, —, Timothy A, Clary, Brian Moynihan, frustrates McCollum, Regina Walton, Walton, she’s, “ It’s, I’ve, ” Walton, “, I’m, Richard Murray, Murray, he’s, you’re Organizations: CNN, Wall, Flyers, New, New Hanover NCWorks, Workforce, Bloomberg, Getty, Investors, Jefferies, National Bureau of Economic Research, Traders, New York Stock Exchange, Bank of America, San Francisco Bay Area, Companies, Consolidated Omnibus Budget, Cascade Locations: Concord , North Carolina, America, New Hanover, Wilmington , North Carolina, Cleveland , Ohio, Miami , Florida, AFP, San Francisco Bay, “, Boston

☆ We're a millennial couple in Singapore. It took 2 years, 17 apartment viewings, and some negotiation, but we managed to find our forever home.
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-10 | by ( Amanda Goh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

After being together since 2015, Joy Oh and Eddy Kur were looking to settle down. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with 31-year-old Joy Oh, a digital-content producer who works in a creative agency in Singapore. Joy Oh and Eddy Kur/Ohkur HouseThat aside, we had a pretty long list of requirements for our future home. Joy Oh and Eddy Kur/Ohkur HouseAfter our down payment, we took out an HDB housing loan of SG$389,100 to finance the rest of our home. Joy Oh and Eddy Kur/Ohkur HouseWe decorated the place and signed the papers in our living room.

Persons: Joy Oh, Eddy Kur, —, Indonesia —, Eddy, Oh Organizations: Service, Board Locations: Singapore, Jakarta, Indonesia, Yishun, Khatib —

☆ We're a millennial couple in Singapore, where real-estate prices are skyrocketing. House hunting was surprisingly easy.
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Amanda Goh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

For about a year, he lived with me and my family in our five-room Housing Development Board flat in Holland Village. Housing Development Board flats are public housing, and they're home to about 80% of the country's resident population. The seller's agent told us the Housing Development Board valuation was SG$430,000, and we ended up making an offer of SG$445,000, which was accepted. After the down payment, most people either take a Housing Development Board loan or a bank loan to finance their homes. The Housing Development Board interest rate is fairly stable and has stayed at 2.6% a year for a few years now, though the Housing Development Board acknowledges that it may be adjusted over the year.

Persons: Vanessa Tai, —, They're, hadn't, It's, we're, it's, We're Organizations: Service, Board, Housing, Google, Central Provident Fund Locations: Europe, Singapore, Croatia, Holland Village, Holland, Sengkang, we're

☆ Singapore overtakes Hong Kong as the most expensive Asia-Pacific city for private homes
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Goh Chiew Tong | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Tobiasjo | E+ | Getty ImagesSingapore's private homes are now the most expensive in Asia-Pacific, having overtaken Hong Kong, according to a new report. Private rental homes in Singapore also had the highest monthly rent in the region at $2,600 — "far exceeding" other cities such as Sydney, Melbourne and Hong Kong, according to the report. Hong Kong vs. SingaporeHome prices in Hong Kong "dropped substantially" in 2022, ULI said, citing the significant increase in mortgage interest rates as Hong Kong keeps pace with the U.S. Federal Reserve. Rental pricesSingapore's private rental homes have the highest monthly rent in the region, having increased by nearly 30% in 2022. Home attainabilityDespite Singapore's private homes being the most expensive in the region, the city state also has the highest homeownership rate at 89.3%.

Persons: ULI, Hong, Kong's, David Faulkner, homeownership, Ho Organizations: Yacht, Urban Land Institute, ULI, Asia Pacific Centre for Housing, Singapore, U.S . Federal, Hong Kong, Sydney, Melbourne, Urban Land Institute Asia Pacific Centre, Housing, Hong, Housing Private, CNBC, Housing Development Board, Board Locations: Singapore, Keppel, Asia, Pacific, Hong Kong, Sydney, Melbourne, U.S, Shenzhen, Beijing, Brisbane, Covid, Australia, China, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, Da Nang

☆ Milk prices in the world's dairy powerhouse India have spiked 15%
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-25 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

India is facing an increase in milk prices, and it's not expected to ease up until November. Matthew Lloyd | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesIndia, the world's dairy powerhouse, is facing an increase in milk prices, and it's not expected to ease up until November. India, the world's leading producer of milk, accounts for 22% of global milk production and followed by the U.S. China, Pakistan and Brazil. Higher feed costsHigher cattle feed prices that coincide with the peak demand season are feeding into the spike in milk prices. India is facing an increase in milk prices, and it's not expected to ease up until November.

☆ Singapore's Whampoa Group to set up digital bank HQ in Bahrain
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

DUBAI, May 18 (Reuters) - Singapore's Whampoa Group, an investment firm with stakes in global tech firms, will set up the headquarters of its new digital bank in Bahrain, the Gulf state's Economic Development Board (EDB) said on Thursday. The bank aims to launch at the end of this year, the EDB said. The island state has been actively trying to expand its fintech and finance industry to diversify and strengthen its non-oil economy. "We were impressed by Bahrain's solid reputation in the financial services sector, transparent regulatory framework, and ongoing pledge to collaborate and innovate," Whampoa Group CEO Shawn Chan said. Writing by Lisa Barrington; editing by Jason NeelyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Singapore firms scramble to soften blow of soaring rent costs
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Chen Lin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

But with private housing rents in Singapore maintaining the scorching pace of gains in 2023, those steps are likely falling short, forcing expatriate workers to even consider leaving the city for good. An exodus of foreign talent due to unaffordable housing costs would be a setback to Singapore in fulfilling its ambitions of becoming a technological and innovations hub. EXPAT WOESRecruitment companies said most expats in Singapore do not get housing allowances as companies are controlling their costs amid an uncertain global economy. That is cold comfort for Briton Natalie, who has been living in Singapore for 15 years and is facing a S$3,200 increment in monthly rent. ($1 = 1.3274 Singapore dollars)Reporting by Chen Lin in Singapore; Editing by Xinghui Kok and Muralikumar AnantharamanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ India's milk imports soar as disease hits local cattle stock
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( Rajendra Jadhav | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

"Any upside risk coming from higher milk prices is going to pose an additional challenge," said Upasna Bhardwaj, chief economist at India's Kotak Mahindra Bank. "Cattle prices have doubled as there are fewer cows in the market," said Sharma, who has been raising cattle since childhood. "We will witness further rises in milk prices during summer," Shah said. India's SMP imports are likely to hit an all-time high in the fiscal year that started April, surpassing record purchases in 2011-12, dairy industry officials said. The temporary removal of those duties would mean imports rise even further, the NDDB official said.

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