Daily Briefing: JB-Singapore RTS Link project signing ceremony to be held on 30 July; Insider raises $44.48m in series C

And Singapore Flyer to reopen on 23 July.

From Channel News Asia:

Malaysian Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong has confirmed that a signing ceremony will be held on 30 July to finalise the agreements between Singapore and Malaysia to proceed with the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link project.

The prime ministers for both countries will witness the ceremony, which will be held at the Johor-Singapore Causeway.

He said that both countries have completed negotiations for the Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS Link project and are prepared to sign three agreements during the ceremony—a bilateral agreement, a concession agreement, and an agreement to form a joint venture company to operate the rail line.

Wee elaborated that the construction of the RTS Link is expected to begin immediately after the necessary approvals are acquired in January next year. The RTS is expected to begin operations at the end of 2026.

Read more here. 

From e27:

Multichannel growth management platform Insider has secured $44.48m (US$32m) in series C funding round, led by US-based VC firm Riverwood Capital.

Sequoia India, MENA-focused investment firm Wamda, and US-based Endeavor Catalyst also joined the round, bringing the Singaporean firm’s total financing raised to date to $65.33m (US$47m).

The company will use the additional capital to improve its platform, expand its R&D team, and also for global sales and marketing efforts.

The platform claims to be offering a wide set of product features in the market whilst coordinating all offline and online data across the unified platform and its various engagement channels.

Insider currently serves 800 global enterprise brands, including UNIQLO, Singapore Airlines, Marks & Spencer, Estée Lauder, Virgin, Samsung, Carrefour, Dominos, Toyota, Newsweek, Avon, MediaMarkt, AVIS, Allianz, BBVA, IKEA, and CNN.

Read more here. 

From Channel News Asia:

The Singapore Flyer will reopen on 23 July with safety measures in place, according to its operator Straco Leisure. The attraction has been closed to guests since 7 April.

To ensure ample space for safe distancing, the Singapore Flyer will significantly reduce its operating capacity when it reopens, said the statement. Groups visiting the attraction will be limited to five people, and each capsule can host a maximum of seven people at a time.

"After each rotation, guest-occupied capsules will be disinfected before the next group boards," Straco Leisure adds.

Other safe management measures such as SafeEntry contact tracing, safe distancing markers, regular cleaning and disinfection and temperature screening will also be in place.

Read more here.