Singapore Technologies (ST) is a group of companies with interests in engineering, technology, infrastructure and lifestyle, property, and financial services. The corporation’s history began with the Chartered Industries of Singapore (CIS), which was established ...

The Asian financial crisis started in Thailand with the collapse of the Thai baht in July 1997. What began as a currency crisis soon affected the wider economy and spread quickly to the rest of the region, leading to economic downturns in several countries. Singapore ...

Wee Cho Yaw (b. 1930, Jincheng, Quemoy, Taiwan–) is the former chairman and chief executive officer of the United Overseas Bank (UOB). In 2011, Forbes Asia listed him as Singapore’s wealthiest individual with a net worth of US$4.2 billion. Besides UOB and its subsidiary ...

Ho Rih Hwa (b. 1917, Singapore–d. 28 August 1999, Singapore) was a prominent businessman and ambassador. He headed the Wah Chang group of companies, a business conglomerate engaged in agribusiness, hotel and resort management, as well as property development in ...

Sze Hai Tong Banking & Insurance Company Limited, one of Singapore’s earliest banks, was established on 7 January 1907. It was founded by members of the Teochew community, including Tan Teck Joon (managing director), Ng Song Teng (assistant manager), Na Kim Seng, ...

Yeo Hiap Seng Limited (YHS) is known as a food and beverage manufacturer and distributor. Listed on the Singapore Exchange since 1969, it has grown from being a family-owned and -controlled business to one with an international reach. Its products are distributed ...

Bata Shoe (Singapore) Pte Ltd is a member of the worldwide organisation, Bata International. One of the earliest modern shoe sellers in Singapore, Bata opened its first store, Bata Shoe Store, at the Capitol Building in 1931. Today, Bata Shoe (Singapore) Pte Ltd ...

Charles & Keith is a Singapore brand known for its women’s footwear and accessories. Established in 1996 by brothers Charles and Keith Wong, Charles & Keith started out as a shoe store in Amara Shopping Centre. By 2013, the company had grown into an international ...

Fraser & Neave (F&N) is a group with businesses in food and beverage, brewing, property development and publishing. Formed in 1883, F&N is one of Singapore’s oldest companies and a well-known brand. Its traditional business was in the production and distribution ...

Wing Tai is a Hong Kong-originated company that is currently based in Singapore. It is one of the key players in the local garment industry, owning labels such as Fox, G2000, Miss Selfridge, and Topshop. It is also well-known in the real estate industry, and specializes ...

Polar Puffs & Cakes is a food manufacturer and operator of a confectionary chain best known for its curry puffs. Originally known as Polar Café, Hong Kong immigrant Chan Hinky began running the business from 1926. The first Polar Café, a landmark on High Street, ...

The Singapore Glass Manufacturers Co Ltd was a leading manufacturer of glassware, plastics and cardboard in Singapore. Its factory, popularly known as the Singapore Glass Factory, stood on Henderson Road, and was a famous landmark in Bukit Merah for many years. ...

Strikes and other forms of labour unrest were common in 1950s Singapore. The year 1955 saw 57 cases of labour unrest involving bus company workers, including the Hock Lee bus workers’ strike and riot. That same year, bus workers of the Singapore Traction Company ...

McDonald’s, the fast-food chain, launched a 40-day Wedding Design Hello Kitty toy promotion with its Extra Value Meals on 1 January 2000. This promotion was based on the popular Japanese feline icon Hello Kitty and its companion, Dear Daniel. The promotion is remembered ...

Elim Chew Soo Gim (b. 1965, Singapore–) is best known as the founder of 77th Street, the retail store specialising in street wear for teenagers. She is an advocate of social entrepreneurship and believes that businesses can contribute to the community. Chew sits ...

Kwek Leng Beng (b. 1941, Singapore–) is a hotel and property tycoon. He heads the Hong Leong Group (HLG) Singapore founded by his father, Kwek Hong Png, as well as property and hotel group, City Developments Limited (CDL). He came into international prominence ...

Chew Boon Lay (b. 1851 or 1852, Changchow, China–d. 2 June, 1933, Singapore) was one of Singapore’s early pioneers. He bought large tracts of land in Jurong on which he cultivated pepper and gambier, and later rubber. He also founded the Ho Ho Biscuit Factory. ...

Aw Boon Haw (b. 1882, Yangon, Myanmar–d. 1954, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA), whose name means “gentle tiger”, was also nicknamed “Tiger Balm King”. He is known for having established the Chinese cure-all, Tiger Balm, and for building an empire around it. His other contributions ...

Ho Kwon Ping (b. 24 August 1952, Hong Kong–) is a prominent businessman in Singapore. He is the chairman of Wah Chang Group and Thai Wah Public Company Limited, which owns a portfolio of public and private companies engaged in hotel development and management, ...

The Straits Times strike arose from a dispute over the terms of reinstatement of a dismissed worker. The strike was considered illegal as no prior notice was given as required by law. The Straits Times management subsequently dismissed the workers who took part ...