“Give Time, Share Hope” campaign transforms dormant watches into tangible support for Geylang East Home for the Aged

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 October 2025 – As Singapore’s population rapidly ages, with nearly 1 in 4 citizens expected to be 65 and above by 2030 according to the Ministry of Health, aged care facilities face mounting pressure with limited resources.

In response, independent luxury watch dealer Watch Exchange has launched “Give Time, Share Hope“, a meaningful charity initiative that transforms dormant luxury timepieces into lifelines for the elderly. The six-month campaign, running from 14 October 2025 to 31 March 2026, aims to raise a minimum of S$100,000 for Geylang East Home for the Aged (GEHA) to fund medical care, facility upgrades, and quality-of-life improvements for seniors in need.

From Drawer to Dignity

Through this campaign, Singaporeans are welcome to donate unused or repairable luxury watches to Watch Exchange. Each watch will be professionally serviced and restored by Watchlab Singapore at no cost to donors or the charity, as Watch Exchange will fully absorb all restoration expenses.

Once refurbished, the timepieces will be sold through Watch Exchange’s established channels, with 100% of proceeds going directly to GEHA. The initiative welcomes watches from leading brands such as Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and other high-end manufacturers.

“Since 1978, we have been caring for seniors who have no family or place to call home. For many, this is the only home they have,” said Ms Michelle Lim, Deputy Chairman of Geylang East Home for the Aged (GEHA). “As a charitable organization, our resources are limited, yet the needs of our residents continue to grow. This partnership brings timely support and hope to our community.”

Echoing this call, Mr Darren Yeoh, Sales Manager at Watch Exchange, said, “Your old watch could provide meals for dozens of residents, fund essential medical supplies, and bring comfort to our ageing community. By donating a timepiece you no longer wear, you’re helping to restore dignity and care for our elders — people who have given so much of their time to build the society we enjoy today.”

Making a Measurable Impact

Funds raised from the sale of donated watches will go toward:

• Daily nutritious meals for residents
• Essential medical equipment and supplies
• Facility maintenance and improvements
• Enhanced recreational and care programs
• Staff training to uplift service standards

As GEHA is a registered Institution of Public Character (IPC), donors may qualify for 2.5 times tax deductions through the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS). Full details are available at https://www.geha.org.sg/donation-information/.

How to Participate

Those wishing to make a meaningful contribution are encouraged to donate their luxury watches at the drop-off location listed below.

Drop-off Location:
Watch Exchange Singapore
14 Scotts Road, #03-132 Far East Plaza
Singapore 228213

Hours:
Monday to Sunday, 11am – 7pm

Contact:
Phone: +65 96720333
Email: marketing@watchexchange.sg
Website: https://watchexchange.sg/

Campaign Period:
14 October 2025 – 31 March 2026
Hashtag: #watchexchangesg #GiveTimeShareHope #WatchExchangeCare

https://watchexchange.sg/
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About Watch Exchange

Watch Exchange is Singapore’s premier destination for buying, selling, and trading luxury timepieces, specializing in both new and pre-owned watches from prestigious brands such as Rolex, Audemars Piguet, and Patek Philippe.

With a reputation built on trust, expertise, and excellence in the horology community, Watch Exchange channels its passion for fine timepieces into community impact through the “Give Time, Share Hope” initiative—demonstrating that the true value of time lies in how we use it to support one another.

About Geylang East Home for the Aged (GEHA)

Geylang East Home for the Aged (GEHA) is a registered Institution of Public Character (IPC) dedicated to providing quality care for Singapore’s elderly residents. Operating with limited resources while facing growing care demands, GEHA relies on community support to continue its mission of ensuring dignity, comfort, and comprehensive care for seniors. For more information, visit https://www.geha.org.sg/

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 October 2025 – Professional and business communities from Singapore and Shanghai came together today in a landmark collaboration to deepen ties and empower enterprises in the Asia region.

At the Sino-Singapore Forum for Empowering Enterprise Globalisation and Excellence, four leading professional bodies, the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA), the Shanghai Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Law Society of Singapore, and the Shanghai Bar Association, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to chart a new path of partnership between both cities’ professional communities.

Mr Edwin Tong, Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs of Singapore, and Mr Fuan Kong, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Executive Deputy Director-General, delivered the opening addresses, underscoring the importance of professional collaboration in driving enterprise globalisation.

The forum brought together distinguished representatives from accounting, legal, and business organisations from both Singapore and China. Discussions centred on how cross-border professional synergy can help enterprises navigate regulatory complexities, enhance governance, and accelerate sustainable international growth.

The forum is organised by the Professional Services (PS) Centre, an alliance initiative by eight trade associations and professional membership bodies — the Association of Small & Medium Enterprises, ISCA, the Institute of Valuers and Appraisers, Singapore, the Singapore Business Federation, the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the Singapore Manufacturing Federation, Tax Academy of Singapore and The Law Society of Singapore. The PS Centre aims to serve as a trusted hub for professional services and enable cross-border collaboration, knowledge exchange, and access to specialised talent and resources.

The signing of the MOU during the forum marks a new milestone in Singapore–Shanghai professional collaboration. The agreement establishes a structured framework for cooperation in three key areas:

1. Mission Trips – Reciprocal business delegations to foster on-the-ground learning and partnerships.
2. Knowledge-Sharing Sessions – Joint annual seminars, workshops, and roundtables on themes such as cross-border M&A, ESG reporting, and fintech regulation.
3. Professional Services Centre as a Platform – A strategic bridge to integrate professional services resources between Singapore and China, supporting bilateral exchanges and collaborative ecosystem development.

Mr Fu’an Kong, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Executive Deputy Director-General, remarked: “I am very excited to witness the launch of this four-party MOU platform in Hongqiao. Hongqiao’s unique position as a gateway to international markets makes it an ideal base for deeper connectivity, and we warmly welcome more companies to invest and grow here. This collaboration is a strong signal of our shared commitment to openness, innovation, and building a thriving ecosystem for enterprises on both sides.”

ISCA President Mr Teo Ser Luck said: “Today’s forum marks an important milestone in strengthening the partnership between professional services and businesses in Singapore and China. By bringing together our strengths in accountancy and law, we are not only helping businesses expand confidently into overseas markets, but also building trusted ecosystems that support their long-term success.”

Mr Gu Hongxiang, President of the Shanghai Institute of Certified Public Accountants, said: “SHICPA will strengthen collaboration in three key areas: enhancing professional exchanges to meet cross-border service needs, creating an information-sharing platform for joint seminars and expert cooperation, and building a cross-border service ecosystem through the Sino-Singapore Professional Services Alliance to support enterprises expanding between China, Singapore and ASEAN.”

Ms Lisa Sam, President of The Law Society of Singapore, said: “Cross-border cooperation between lawyers and accountants is increasingly vital in addressing complex business needs. This collaboration with our Shanghai counterparts will provide new opportunities for joint learning and practical solutions that help enterprises navigate the challenges of globalisation.”

Mr Shao Wanquan, President of the Shanghai Bar Association, said: “The Shanghai Bar Association has a long-standing history of cooperation with Singapore’s Ministry of Law and Law Society, yielding remarkable results from lawyer exchange programmes, special membership systems and free trade zone joint ventures. Today, with four associations joining hands to build a service chain via a signed MOU, we are offering full-cycle support for Chinese firms going global as well as Singaporean and ASEAN firms entering China. This marks a new stage of ‘chain integration’ in Shanghai–Singapore professional services cooperation, and together, we will continue to safeguard the global development of enterprises from both countries.”

The forum and the MOU mark the beginning of a structured partnership that will see professionals from both cities meet regularly, exchange insights, and support enterprises in their globalisation journey.

By uniting four leading professional bodies from two of Asia’s most dynamic cities, the collaboration signals a strong commitment: that professional services are not just about compliance, they are strategic enablers of growth, innovation, and cross-border opportunities.
Hashtag: #ISCA #DifferenceMakers #Accounting #Accountancy #CharteredAccountants #ChooseAccountancy #PSCentre #PSAlliance #SinoSingapore

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA)

The Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) is the national accountancy body of Singapore with over 40,000 ISCA members making their stride in businesses across industries in Singapore and around the world. ISCA members can be found in over 40 countries and members based out of Singapore are supported through 12 overseas chapters in 10 countries.

Established in 1963, ISCA is an advocate of the interests of the profession. Complementing its global mindset with Asian insights, ISCA leverages its regional expertise, knowledge, and networks with diverse stakeholders to contribute towards the advancement of the accountancy profession.

ISCA administers the Singapore Chartered Accountant Qualification programme and is the Designated Entity to confer the Chartered Accountant of Singapore – CA (Singapore) – designation.

ISCA is a member of Chartered Accountants Worldwide, a global family that brings together the members of leading institutes to create a community of over 1.8 million Chartered Accountants and students in more than 190 countries.

For more information, visit www.isca.org.sg.

• China, India, Singapore, the Philippines and Vietnam projecting lower increases than previous year
• Cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal conditions and cancer are top medical conditions that are expected to drive the medical plan costs

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 October 2025 – Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm, today released its 2026 Global Medical Trend Rates Report, projecting an 11.3 percent rise in Asia Pacific (APAC) employee medical plan costs, signalling stabilisation of medical plan costs after two years of steep increases. The global average medical trend rate is expected to be 9.8 percent. Key APAC markets like China, India, Singapore, the Philippines and Vietnam are forecasting lower medical trend rate increases than in 2025.

Medical trend rates represent the annual percentage increase in medical plan costs per employee, both insured and self-insured. These figures help organisations budget and adapt their benefits strategies to ensure sustainability in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.

“The Asia Pacific region continues to face double-digit medical trend rates, reflecting both the resilience of healthcare demand and the need for medical insurers to return to profitability in order to deliver sustainable healthcare coverage,” said Tim Dwyer, head of Human Capital for APAC, Aon. “The challenge and opportunity for employers lies in moving from reactive cost control to proactive health strategy. As employers across the region navigate workforce transformation, building resilient and sustainable employee benefits programs will be critical to managing the wellbeing of their workforces.”

Key Findings for APAC:

• Around one third of APAC markets — including China, Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam and India — expect a slight decrease in trend rates, driven by moderated utilisation and wellbeing initiatives.
• Prescription and specialty medications, innovations in medical technology and geopolitical factors, continue to have a significant impact.
• The remaining two thirds face upward pressure from chronic disease burden, increased healthcare utilisation and adoption of technological advancements.

	2025		2026
	Annual General Inflation Rate	Annual Medical Trend Rates (Gross)	Annual General Inflation Rate	Annual Medical Trend Rates (Gross)
Asia-Pacific	2.8	11.1	2.4	11.3
Australia	3.0	5.1	3.5	5.2
Bangladesh	6.1	10.0	5.2	10.0
China	2.0	8.0	0.6	7.8
Hong Kong	2.3	8.0	2.2	9.0
India	4.2	13.0	4.1	11.5
Indonesia	2.6	16.2	2.5	16.9
Japan	2.1	0.9	1.7	2.7
Kazakhstan	7.0	29.0	9.4	29.0
Malaysia	2.5	15.0	2.2	16.0
New Zealand	2.5	17.0	2.0	18.0
Pakistan	12.7	n/a	7.7	23.5
Papua New Guinea	4.8	12.0	4.6	15.0
Philippines	3.0	15.0	2.9	14.0
Singapore	2.5	14.0	1.5	13.0
South Korea	2.0	10.0	1.8	11.5
Sri Lanka	n/a	n/a	n/a	6.5
Taiwan	1.6	n/a	1.6	8.0
Thailand	1.2	14.3	0.9	14.8
Vietnam	3.4	12.9	2.5	12.2

Conditions Behind the Trend Rate
The leading medical conditions expected to influence costs in 2026 in APAC remain largely consistent with the conditions of 2025.

• Cardiovascular Disease: Disorders of the heart and blood vessels and high blood pressure continue to be the primary cost driver, with the greatest impact on claims across APAC.
• Gastrointestinal Conditions: Issues such as gallbladder stones, infections, acute appendicitis, liver diseases and gastroenteritis are rising and now the second most common cost driver in the region.
• Cancer/Tumor Growth: Cancer remains a top condition globally, with 20 countries –including Australia and Singapore – reporting it as the most impactful. The most frequently diagnosed cancers are lung, breast, colon/rectum, and prostate.

Risk Factors Contributing to the Leading Conditions
Hypertension is both a leading condition and the top risk factor for other costly diseases. Other major risk factors include high cholesterol, physical inactivity, poor nutrition and high blood glucose – all commonly linked to cancer and other chronic conditions.

How Companies Are Responding
Employers in APAC are increasingly adopting flexible benefit plans, cost containment strategies and wellbeing programs to manage rising medical costs. According to Aon’s 2025 Global Benefits Trends Study, 25 percent of companies in APAC are expected to use flexible benefits, with many considering measures such as copays or network restrictions. Wellbeing initiatives targeting physical inactivity, stress, hypertension and high cholesterol are being integrated with prevention strategies to mitigate future claims.

“The medical insurance market is transitioning into a new phase, and businesses must be ready to deploy strategies that will deliver value” said Alan Oates, head of global benefits for APAC at Aon. “Larger employers should analyse their own medical trend which may be falling faster than market averages. Now is the time to use local tendering exercises that will drive market competition as underwriters return to profitability at different rates and continue to invest in preventive wellbeing strategies for sustainable cost management. By leveraging data available externally and internally and partnering with insurers, businesses can better anticipate risks and support a healthier, more productive workforce,” added Oates.

About the Report
The 2026 Global Medical Trend Rates Report is based on insights from over 100 Aon offices that broker, administer or advise on employer-sponsored medical plans. The findings reflect the expectations of Aon professionals based on their interactions with clients and carriers across the region.

Hashtag: #Aon

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Aon

Aon plc (NYSE: AON) exists to shape decisions for the better — to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. Through actionable analytic insight, globally integrated Risk Capital and Human Capital expertise, and locally relevant solutions, our colleagues provide clients in over 120 countries with the clarity and confidence to make better risk and people decisions that protect and grow their businesses.

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Disclaimer
The information contained in this document is solely for information purposes, for general guidance only and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although Aon endeavours to provide accurate and timely information and uses sources that it considers reliable, the firm does not warrant, represent or guarantee the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or fitness for any purpose of any content of this document and can accept no liability for any loss incurred in any way by any person who may rely on it. There can be no guarantee that the information contained in this document will remain accurate as on the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or entity should make decisions or act based solely on the information contained herein without appropriate professional advice and targeted research