Zara Lightowler, Associate Partner, Bain & Company, dissects a report co-compiled by Bain, Meta and DSG Consumer Partners on consumer growth trends in Southeast Asia. These include the emergence of a hierarchy of needs versus wants; the importance of the Gen Z and Solo Economy consumer segments; 'insurgent disruptors' or business models responsible for driving over US$50 billion of revenue in the region; and the digital behaviour of consumers across generations.





Presented by Emaad Akhtar

Podcast edited by Emaad Akhtar (eakhtar@sph.com.sg)

Zara Lightowler, Associate Partner, Bain &amp; Company, dissects a report co-compiled by Bain, Meta and DSG Consumer Partners on consumer growth trends in Southeast Asia. These include the emergence of a hierarchy of needs versus wants; the importance of the Gen Z and Solo Economy consumer segments; 'insurgent disruptors' or business models responsible for driving over US$50 billion of revenue in the region; and the digital behaviour of consumers across generations.
<ol></ol>
<ol></ol>
<ol></ol>
<ul></ul>
<ol></ol>
<ol></ol>
<ol></ol>
<ol></ol>
 
 
<ol></ol>
<ol></ol>
Presented by Emaad Akhtar
Podcast edited by Emaad Akhtar (<a href="mailto:nganthea@sph.com.sg">eakhtar@sph.com.sg</a>)

Get a head start to your work day with Ryan Huang, Emaad Akhtar and Audrey Siek from 6am to 9am. 

Listen to insightful discussions on the stories and issues that matter the most to you and be apprised of the markets and the companies to watch.

Get a head start to your work day with Ryan Huang, Emaad Akhtar and Audrey Siek from 6am to 9am. 
Listen to insightful discussions on the stories and issues that matter the most to you and be apprised of the markets and the companies to watch.

Breakfast with Ryan Huang, Emaad Akhtar and Audrey Siek

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore’s first and only Business and Personal Finance station. MONEY FM is a 24-hour English talk format station featuring local and international business and financial news. We provide you with financial market and currency updates and insights from analysts, economists, policy makers, industry experts and business owners.

In the lighter hours, listen to discussions on social issues and features on topics that include health, education, arts and music.

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore&rsquo;s first and only Business and Personal Finance station. MONEY FM is a 24-hour English talk format station featuring local and international business and financial news. We provide you with financial market and currency updates and insights from analysts, economists, policy makers, industry experts and business owners.
In the lighter hours, listen to discussions on social issues and features on topics that include health, education, arts and music.

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore’s first and only Business and Personal Finance station.

MONEY FM 89.3

Insightful discussions on the latest market events and the top companies to watch.

Get a head start on your workday with Ryan Huang, Emaad Akhtar and Audrey Siek from 6 am to 9 am. 

Listen to insightful discussions on the stories and issues that matter the most to you and be apprised of the markets and the companies to watch.

Get a head start on your workday with Ryan Huang, Emaad Akhtar and Audrey Siek from 6 am to 9 am. 
Listen to insightful discussions on the stories and issues that matter the most to you and be apprised of the markets and the companies to watch.

Breakfast with Ryan Huang, Emaad Akhtar and Audrey Siek (6am-9am)

Bigger Picture: Gen Zs and single households are driving consumption growth in Southeast Asia

Budget 2026 includes measures aimed at helping Singapore companies venture overseas, as policymakers encourage businesses to look beyond the domestic market for their next phase of growth. But in an uncertain global environment, how much appetite is there for regional expansion and are firms truly ready to take that step?

Ryan Huang moderates a panel with Shawn Huang, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Finance & Manpower, Lee Sze Yeng, Managing Partner, KPMG in Singapore, Ang Yuit, President at ASME, and Max Loh, Vice-Chair, Singapore Institute of Directors.

Watch the full discussion on MONEY FM 89.3's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/_ZIxGRaoCY8

Budget 2026 includes measures aimed at helping Singapore companies venture overseas, as policymakers encourage businesses to look beyond the domestic market for their next phase of growth. But in an uncertain global environment, how much appetite is there for regional expansion and are firms truly ready to take that step?
Ryan Huang moderates a panel with Shawn Huang, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Finance &amp; Manpower, Lee Sze Yeng, Managing Partner, KPMG in Singapore, Ang Yuit, President at ASME, and Max Loh, Vice-Chair, Singapore Institute of Directors.
Watch the full discussion on MONEY FM 89.3's YouTube channel:&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/_ZIxGRaoCY8" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://youtu.be/_ZIxGRaoCY8&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1773352627426000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2LZAxiL-DsrfxnR5pYKL_a">https://youtu.be/_ZIxGRaoCY8</a>

Budget 2026: What’s the Most Underrated Policy This Year?

Budget 2026 continues Singapore’s push to uplift wages and strengthen the local workforce, including raising the Local Qualifying Salary from S$1,600 to S$1,800 and tightening salary thresholds for Employment Pass and S Pass holders. The move reflects a broader effort to upgrade jobs and lift incomes while keeping Singapore competitive as a global business hub.

But as hiring costs rise, businesses are weighing the implications. Are SMEs feeling the squeeze as wage floors move up?

Ryan Huang moderates a panel with Shawn Huang, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Finance & Manpower, Lee Sze Yeng, Managing Partner, KPMG in Singapore, Ang Yuit, President at ASME, and Max Loh, Vice-Chair, Singapore Institute of Directors.

Watch the full discussion on MONEY FM 89.3's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/_ZIxGRaoCY8

Budget 2026 continues Singapore&rsquo;s push to uplift wages and strengthen the local workforce, including raising the Local Qualifying Salary from S$1,600 to S$1,800 and tightening salary thresholds for Employment Pass and S Pass holders. The move reflects a broader effort to upgrade jobs and lift incomes while keeping Singapore competitive as a global business hub.
But as hiring costs rise, businesses are weighing the implications. Are SMEs feeling the squeeze as wage floors move up?
Ryan Huang moderates a panel with&nbsp;Shawn Huang, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Finance &amp; Manpower, Lee Sze Yeng, Managing Partner, KPMG in Singapore, Ang Yuit, President at ASME, and Max Loh, Vice-Chair, Singapore Institute of Directors.
Watch the full discussion on MONEY FM 89.3's YouTube channel:&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/_ZIxGRaoCY8" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://youtu.be/_ZIxGRaoCY8&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1773352627426000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2LZAxiL-DsrfxnR5pYKL_a">https://youtu.be/_ZIxGRaoCY8</a>

Budget 2026: Can Singapore Raise Wages Without Losing Competitiveness?

Artificial intelligence sits at the heart of Budget 2026, with new AI missions aimed at accelerating adoption across Singapore’s economy the establishment of a new National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Council chaired by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to drive the nation’s AI agenda.

But translating ambition into real change raises practical questions. How can policymakers ensure AI adoption does not end up concentrated among large corporations? And as companies integrate AI into core operations, are business leaders and boards prepared to manage the risks, governance challenges and cybersecurity implications that come with it?

In this special MONEY FM 89.3 SG Budget Conversations panel, Ryan Huang speaks with Shawn Huang, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Finance & Manpower, Lee Sze Yeng, Managing Partner, KPMG in Singapore, Ang Yuit, President at ASME, and Max Loh, Vice-Chair, Singapore Institute of Directors.

Watch the full discussion on MONEY FM 89.3's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/_ZIxGRaoCY8

Artificial intelligence sits at the heart of Budget 2026, with new AI missions aimed at accelerating adoption across Singapore&rsquo;s economy the establishment of a new National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Council chaired by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to drive the nation&rsquo;s AI agenda.
But translating ambition into real change raises practical questions. How can policymakers ensure AI adoption does not end up concentrated among large corporations? And as companies integrate AI into core operations, are business leaders and boards prepared to manage the risks, governance challenges and cybersecurity implications that come with it?
In this special MONEY FM 89.3 SG Budget Conversations panel, Ryan Huang speaks with Shawn Huang, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Finance &amp; Manpower, Lee Sze Yeng, Managing Partner, KPMG in Singapore, Ang Yuit, President at ASME, and Max Loh, Vice-Chair, Singapore Institute of Directors.
Watch the full discussion on MONEY FM 89.3's YouTube channel: <a href="https://youtu.be/_ZIxGRaoCY8" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://youtu.be/_ZIxGRaoCY8&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1773352627426000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2LZAxiL-DsrfxnR5pYKL_a">https://youtu.be/_ZIxGRaoCY8</a>

Bigger Picture: Gen Zs and single households are driving consumption growth in Southeast Asia

In 2 playlist(s)

Breakfast with Ryan Huang, Emaad Akhtar and Audrey Siek (6am-9am)

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips