Daily Briefing: Median monthly household income up 3% in 2018; European Parliament OKs EU-Singapore free trade agreement

And AVA mulls to review regulations on pet boarding businesses.

From Channel News Asia:

Households headed by a Singapore citizen or a permanent resident saw their median monthly income increase 3% in nominal terms to $9,293 in 2018 from $9,023 in 2017, data from the Singapore Department of Statistics showed.

After accounting for household size, the median monthly household income from work per household member grew by 3.4% in nominal terms, or 3% in real terms, to $2,792 in 2018.

Factoring in inflation, the increase was 2.6% in real terms. The annual report noted that households across all income groups enjoyed real growth in average work earnings per member in 2018.

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From Bloomberg:

The European Parliament greenlighted a free-trade agreement in Singapore which may take effect later in 2019.

EU governments must still give their final endorsement of the deal, which requires Singapore to set up a register of European farm products protected by their specific geographical origin.

“After many twists and turns, we’re at last at the final stage,” said David Martin, a U.K. member of the EU Parliament. “Whilst Donald Trump wants to build walls to separate nations, we are tearing them down, keeping fair and free trade alive.”

Read more here.

From Yahoo! News Singapore:

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) plans to review regulations related to the pet industry including pet boarding businesses,Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Home Affairs and National Development Sun Xueling revealed.

As part of the review, the authority will engage stakeholders, including pet owners, industry players, and animal welfare groups, she added.
“The AVA intends to undertake a holistic review of the regulatory approach for the pet industry, including how best to regulate pet boarding businesses,” said Sun in Parliament.

Currently, the AVA licenses pet shops and pet farms, some of which have commercial pet boarding facilities.

Read more here.