Asian Development Bank (ADB) has opened its Singapore Office which marks a new stage in the expansion of ADB’s private sector operations. It will be a lean and focused office comprising 12 specialists from ADB’s Private Sector Operations Department (PSOD) and Office of Public–Private Partnership, working in a range of sectors including infrastructure, financial institutions, agribusiness, health and education, trade finance, private equity, and cofinancing. The office is led by Sonali Tang, who has worked at ADB for 5 years in various senior roles.
ADB’s private sector operations promote the investment of private capital for development purposes. Last year, PSOD completed 38 transactions, around one-fifth of ADB’s total operations by number. ADB aims to increase this to one-third of total operations by 2024. The office will make it easier for ADB to efficiently engage with clients, project sponsors, contractors, advisors, financiers, other international finance institutions, and professional service providers.
Singapore was a founding member of ADB in 1966. It borrowed from ADB until 1980 and graduated formally from borrowing in 1998. Since 2001, Singapore has contributed to ADB’s concessional fund, the Asian Development Fund, as well as the Technical Assistance Special Fund. In 2012, ADB and Singapore signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance knowledge sharing and cooperation in governance and public policy, private sector development, climate change, and infrastructure and urban development. Singapore is an active participant in the ASEAN Infrastructure Fund that is supported by ADB.
ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.
Wildly popular in Australia, thanks to its customisable menu made from the freshest quality ingredients, Mad Mex has powered into Singapore with its first restaurant in Singapore that recently opened at Marina Bay Financial (MBFC) Tower 3.
With more than 70 locations now operating in Australia and New Zealand, the dedicated Mad Mex team has served up more than four million burritos across both countries in the last 12 months. The success of the group has spurred the new international expansion and coincides with Mad Mex’s new 2019 brand refresh and positioning, ‘Fresh Fuel For Life’, which places arevived focus on healthy living and supporting people in living life to the fullest.
The latest move comes after the owner of 4FINGERS bought a 50% stake in Mad Mex last year. The brand is looking forward to more openings in Singapore and Malaysia, where its arrival could fill a gap in the food industry with honest, healthy ‘fast food’.
With Mad Mex there is no ‘burrito-ing’ round the bush; only fresh, ethically-sourced ingredients are used in its food every day. So pure and simple, the recipes used are available online along with a nutritional calculator for full transparency into what customers are eating. Customary Mexican favourites – Burrito, Naked Burrito, Tacos, Nachos, Quesadilla, Grande MeltTM and Ensalada – are served and customers are encouraged to customise their meals according to their dietary requirements – anyone can eat at Mad Mex.
Founder and CEO Clovis Young of Mad Mex sums up the ingenuity of Mad Mex’s humble but revolutionary ethos, “I started Mad Mex in 2006, because I absolutely love Mexican food, and I wanted to share that love with all of Australia, and the world. I wanted my customers to get a fast meal with homemade quality, made entirely of real ingredients. That means the fewest preservatives, oils and sugars – while always big on taste. You should never have to choose between a quick meal and quality healthy food.”
The sky is not the limit. A full-scale revamp gives impetus to LeVeL33, elevating a sky-high concept into an apex experience for the senses.
The world’s highest urban microbrewery, LeVeL33 seamlessly melds craftsmanship, artistry and hospitality for a truly elevated experience – in all senses. Located on the apex level of Marina Bay Financial Tower 1, LeVeL33 offers three different spaces: the LeVeL33 Dining Room, LeVeL33 Social, and the Terrace; overlooking the most spectacular skyline views of Singapore.
The three spaces deliver dining genres from gourmet to casual, and ambiences from refined privacy to social revelry. Anchoring these spaces is the bar and copper brewery in the middle, where their outstanding craft beers are made with strict adherence to authentic age-old recipes and traditional techniques. The ContemBrewerycuisine developed by Executive Chef ArChan Chan is a unique contemporary beer-centric cuisine which synthesises the culinary aspect and beer brewing elements; each eatery offers a menu tailored for their individual atmosphere and service style.
As the world’s highest urban microbrewery dedicated to the fullest appreciation of craftsmanship in its beer, wines and fine food in a multi-ambience, multi-zone setting, LeVeL33 remains faithful to its core objective and promise. This extensive new revamp has served to ramp up the guest experience even further. And making LeVeL33 into Singapore’s pinnacle venue for business interaction, friendly socialisin g, romantic intimacy, gastronomic indulgence and all forms of celebratory life-affirming activity, in the pulsating heart of Singapore’s iconic waterfront.
Qi - House of Sichuan, the one-Michelin-starred Sichuan Restaurant in Hong Kong is now also available in Singapore, serving contemporary Sichuan dishes at Marina Bay Financial Centre.
Qi has been awarded the One Michelin Star for three consecutive years since 2016, it has created a modern interpretation of traditional and authentic Sichuan dishes that reflect the “seven flavours of Sichuan” (spicy, aromatic, sweet, bitter, sour, peppery, and salty). A wide spectrum of intense flavours can be experienced at Qi.
Hong Kong-based "Demon Chef" Alvin Leung is bringing his roast duck concept by the name of 'Forbidden Duck' to our sunny island.
Serving signature Peking-style and slow-cooked Roast Duck plus other classic Cantonese dishes; Forbidden Duck's first Singapore outpost is located at Marina Bay Financial Centre and is due to open some time this month.
Three Michelin-starred chef Leung, 57, owns three Michelin-starred restaurants, Bo Innovation in Hong Kong and one Michelin-starred, Bo London in the UK.
Born in London and raised in Toronto, chef Leung joined the culinary scene late at age 40 as he was previously helping out in his family's business.