☀️ Bright Spot #15
Singapore’s “Exceptional” Growth | Vietnam’s Offshore Loans | On the Move: Singapore’s Equity Boost, Maggie Cui, Sherlyn Lau
🌻 Singapore’s “Exceptional” Growth
Despite government projections that economic growth would slow as Singapore’s economy matures, the city-state has defied expectations for two consecutive years, CNA reported.
In 2025, Singapore’s economy expanded 5%, exceeding forecasts even after the Ministry of Trade and Industry upgraded its projections twice. The year before, growth hit 5.3%.
Selena Ling, chief economist and head of group research at OCBC, highlighted “very broad-based sectoral growth” amid robust foreign direct investment and safe haven capital inflows into Singapore.
🌻 Vietnam’s Offshore Loans
Vietnam continues its efforts to streamline administrative procedures for offshore loans, an area of growing importance as businesses increasingly tap international financing sources, Baker McKenzie wrote.
At the end of last year, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) issued a new circular that took effect on 25 January 2026. Among the key changes, no SBV registration is needed for enforcement-based repayments, according to the law firm’s note.
⏩ On the Move
🔸 Singapore’s Equity Boost
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) will reportedly inject another SGD 1.5 billion (USD 1.2 billion) to increase investor participation in Singapore equities.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said the top-up to the Financial Sector Development Fund will also help to develop Singapore’s fund management industry.
🔸 Alvarez & Marsal Hires Maggie Cui as Managing Director in Shanghai
Alvarez & Marsal expanded its China restructuring practice with the appointment of Maggie Cui as a Managing Director. Based in Shanghai, she has 30 years of corporate restructuring, cross-border transaction advisory and financial advisory experience across China and Australia.
🔸 Sherlyn Lau Joins DLA Piper
DLA Piper has hired Sherlyn Lau as its Head of Capital Markets and Corporate Finance, APAC, in its Hong Kong office. Joining from Sidley Austin, she brought a team of 12 capital markets practitioners.