TikTok Shop deepens commitment to Singapore's discovery commerce ecosystem at inaugural TikTok Shop Singapore Summit

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 August 2026 – TikTok Shop has announced a series of new capability-building initiatives designed to strengthen Singapore's discovery commerce ecosystem by equipping sellers and creators with the skills and opportunities needed to succeed in content-led commerce. As part of this commitment, TikTok Shop aims to support and train at least 1,000 local sellers by the end of 2027 and more than 3,000 creators by the end of 2026.

The announcements were made at the inaugural TikTok Shop Singapore Summit, a full-day hybrid event that brought together more than 1,500 sellers, creators, and ecosystem partners to explore how collaboration across the discovery commerce ecosystem can help businesses grow through content and LIVE selling. This comes amid strong growth on the platform, with TikTok Shop Singapore recording 1.7x year-on-year growth in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) and 1.6x year-on-year growth in monthly buyers over the past year, reflecting the growing opportunities for sellers to scale through content-driven commerce.

Left to right: Ms Candera Chan (Public Policy Lead, TikTok), Mr Alvin Tan (Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Ministry of National Development), Mr Shichen Sun (Country Lead, TikTok Shop Singapore)

Investing in seller success

As Singapore's discovery commerce ecosystem continues to grow, TikTok Shop is expanding its capability-building programmes to support sellers at every stage of their growth journey — from learning the fundamentals of LIVE selling to building sustainable, long-term businesses.

Programme	Designed for	Growth objective
GO LIVE Academy	New TikTok Shop sellers looking to learn the fundamentals of LIVE selling	Learn - Build the skills and confidence to host self-operated LIVE selling sessions
Growth Accelerator Programme	Growing sellers ready to scale through content and LIVE commerce	Scale - Accelerate business growth with personalised incubation and strategic guidance
Merchant Self-LIVE Programme	Growing sellers looking to strengthen their in-house LIVE selling capabilities	Build capability - Develop sustainable self-operated LIVE selling and reduce reliance on external hosts
Brand IP Accelerator Programme	Growing sellers with an established content presence	Build brand - Strengthen founder or brand identity and build a more recognisable presence on TikTok Shop

Together, these programmes create stronger foundations for businesses at every stage of growth, equipping more sellers with the capabilities needed to participate in Singapore's evolving discovery commerce ecosystem.

"We're seeing a clear shift in how businesses grow on TikTok Shop. Success today is no longer defined simply by having a presence online or treating LIVE selling as another sales channel. The businesses achieving the strongest long-term results are those investing in capabilities — building confidence in content creation, developing in-house LIVE expertise, and working with creators in more strategic ways," said Leon Koh, Fashion Cluster Lead and Head of Seller Management at TikTok Shop Singapore. "That's why we're expanding our support beyond tools and technology to focus on capability building across our entire ecosystem. By investing in both sellers and creators, we're helping businesses of all sizes build the skills, partnerships, and confidence they need to grow sustainably in today's discovery-driven economy."

Left to right: Tan Seri Prof Dr Sean Rozario KStJ (President, SME Marketing), Mr Alvin Tan (Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Ministry of National Development), Mr Shichen Sun (Country Lead ,TikTok Shop Singapore), Ms Candera Chan (Public Policy Lead, TikTok)

Building the next generation of creators

A strong discovery commerce ecosystem also requires a capable creator community. Complementing its investment in seller capabilities, TikTok Shop is also expanding its support for creators through programmes that help them develop specialised skills and unlock new income opportunities through discovery commerce, with the goal of supporting more than 3,000 creators by the end of 2026.

• LIVE Host Academy supports aspiring professional LIVE hosts by building the practical hosting and sales skills needed to succeed in LIVE commerce, while connecting them with sellers seeking LIVE selling talent.
• Affiliate Accelerator supports creators looking to build affiliate-led businesses through training in LIVE selling and short-form content, while providing opportunities to connect with sellers and drive product discovery through authentic recommendations.
• Short Video Programme supports emerging creators specialising in short-form content by helping them develop product storytelling skills through practical learning resources, creator manager support, and collaboration opportunities with TikTok Shop sellers.

Together, these initiatives strengthen Singapore's discovery commerce ecosystem by developing a pipeline of skilled creators while creating more opportunities for sellers and creators to collaborate through authentic, content-driven commerce. With LIVE viewership on TikTok Shop in Singapore increasing by 150% year-on-year, the programmes aim to equip more creators with the skills to meet growing consumer demand for engaging, interactive shopping experiences.

Left to right: Ms Candera Chan (Public Policy Lead, TikTok), Mr Alvin Tan (Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Ministry of National Development), Mr Jason Soon (Founder, Kim's Duet), Mr Nevin Soon (Second-Generation Coffee Manufacturer and Management Associate, Kim's Duet), Mr Shichen Sun (Country Lead, TikTok Shop Singapore), Ms Sharmaine Ng (Head of Strategic Partnerships, TikTok Shop Singapore), Tan Seri Prof Sean Rozario KStJ (President, SME Marketing)

How local businesses are growing on TikTok Shop

The impact of these investments extends beyond the programmes themselves, as local businesses build new capabilities, strengthen customer relationships and unlock new growth through discovery commerce.

For Young Hungry Free (@younghungryfree), a Singapore-based fashion brand that celebrates individuality through bold collections and a community built around empowerment, TikTok Shop has become an important growth channel, helping the brand expand its reach through content-led commerce. Today, Young Hungry Free continues to leverage TikTok Shop's ecosystem of tools and resources to scale its LIVE commerce capabilities and grow its online business.

"TikTok Shop has transformed the way we connect with our customers. Beyond being a sales channel, it has enabled us to build a loyal community through authentic, content-led LIVE commerce experiences," said Winnie Ong, Founder and Creative Director of Young Hungry Free.

"As our business grew on TikTok Shop, we invested in building a dedicated in-house LIVE commerce team. What started with one full-time employee managing LIVE selling sessions alongside her existing responsibilities has since grown into a team of more than 10 dedicated members. The platform has empowered us to experiment, adapt quickly and reach new customers in ways that traditional e-commerce simply couldn't. As a homegrown Singapore brand, we're excited to continue growing alongside TikTok Shop and exploring new opportunities in discovery commerce."

While established brands like Young Hungry Free continue to scale through discovery commerce, TikTok Shop is also helping heritage businesses embrace new ways to connect with customers while staying true to what makes them unique.

For Kim's Duet (@kimsduetsg), a Singapore brand by Kim Guan Guan that reimagines traditional local coffee for modern consumers, TikTok Shop has created new opportunities for the second-generation family business to preserve its heritage while reaching a new generation of customers.

Nevin Soon, Second-Generation Coffee Manufacturer and Management Associate, said, "As a traditional coffee roastery stepping into the digital space, learning to navigate LIVE commerce was a steep learning curve for us. Through TikTok Shop's onboarding and its Growth Accelerator programme, the TikTok Shop team helped us refine our strategy, experiment with different time slots, and build a real community online. Since then, we've achieved a 42% month-on-month GMV growth in June 2026—a huge milestone for us. It reinforces our belief that, with the right tools, training, and support, traditional local brands can build strong, sustainable momentum online."

Left to right: Ms Nicole Ang (Communications Lead, TikTok Singapore), Mr Leon Koh (Fashion Cluster Lead & Head of Seller Management, TikTok Shop Singapore), Ms Winnie Ong (Founder and Creative Director, Young Hungry Free), Mr Nevin Soon (Second-Generation Coffee Manufacturer and Management Associate, Kim's Duet)

As content continues to shape how people discover and shop, TikTok Shop remains committed to strengthening Singapore's discovery commerce ecosystem by investing in the sellers, creators and partnerships that drive long-term growth. Through continued capability building and collaboration, TikTok Shop aims to create more opportunities for businesses and creators to succeed together.

Whether you're looking to build your LIVE selling capabilities or accelerate your business growth, eligible TikTok Shop sellers can register their interest for the GO LIVE Academy here and the Growth Accelerator Programme here. Individuals interested in becoming professional LIVE hosts or affiliate creators can register their interest for the LIVE Host Academy and Affiliate Accelerator here.

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HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 18 September 2026 - Hong Kong's Chief Executive, John Lee, took part in a radio phone-in programme this morning (September 18), fielding questions about the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) (2026-2030) and his fifth Policy Address, which were unveiled on Wednesday (September 16).

Quizzed on various aspects of the HKSAR Government's new blueprint for economic and social development, Mr Lee said the inaugural Five-Year Plan set out five main objectives for Hong Kong: better livelihoods for all; breakthroughs in economic development; expanding global competitiveness and influence; faster development of the Northern Metropolis; and to better serve the country.

On expanding global competitiveness, Mr Lee said the Government would make good use of its international networks.

"The strength of Hong Kong is its international status, and we have been emphasising on how we ensure the internationalism or the 'internationalness' of Hong Kong. We are expanding to cover every part of the world where we can reach," Mr Lee said, noting that the Government had offices, including Economic and Trade Offices, and the offices of Invest Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, in countries around the world. "I'm very serious about expanding our network."

Since taking office four years ago, Mr Lee has led delegation visits to regions, including ASEAN Member States, the Middle East, and recently Central Asia. "And my colleagues really go more often to different parts of the world, so for South Africa, and also Kenya and these are the very popular African places that my colleagues go to visit," he added.

To boost Hong Kong's influence in overseas markets, Mr Lee highlighted the example of the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed).

"We are very proud to have the headquarters of IOMed set up in Hong Kong, because this is an organisation which is of United Nations status," Mr Lee said. He added that an international office would be set up in Hong Kong under the global network of corruption prevention authorities. "Hong Kong is an international city, which not just is very good at doing business, but is exercising its responsibility as a global participator, and also, we really can contribute."

"And this is also very important, because it just means how, in different areas, Hong Kong is doing very well, and also very connected to the world. And not just being a member, but being a contributor, being really a driver, and we want to share our good experiences, and also learn from other experiences."

The First Five-Year Plan and the 2026 Policy Address placed strong focus on speeding up the development of the Northern Metropolis (NM) project, so as to boost long-term economic development, improve people's livelihoods and help the city to further integrate into overall national development.

"The Northern Metropolis represents about one third of our geographical area. So it is a big piece of land that gives us new opportunities. An opportunity to upgrade ourselves, both from the accommodation angle as well as development angle," Mr Lee said.

Beyond the city's core economic strengths such as finance, shipping and trade, Mr Lee said the NM would provide room for diversifying local industries, creating new jobs and a brighter future as more development opportunities emerge from different kinds of industries as well as closer alignment with national development.

"The NM is actually mentioned in our country's 15th Five-Year Plan. That means it is not just a Hong Kong development, it has been elevated as a state-driven project. And with the elevation of position, we will have to work hard. And I am sure that the Central Government will also help us to ensure that this will be a success story.

"And so, doing the Five-Year Plan has this advantage. We will capitalise on all the opportunities that the state can give us. At the same time, we will remain very fully connected to the international world. So we have the beauty of both worlds."

Asked about Hong Kong's approach to adopting artificial intelligence (AI), Mr Lee stressed the need to take advantage of the opportunities brought by AI, while also protecting against the risks of AI, in areas such as crime, fraud, sexual abuse and potential negative impacts on younger people.

"Last year, we talk very much about how we should benefit from the application of AI, how it will do things faster, and how it will also do things more correctly," Mr Lee said.

"So while we develop and ensure people understand and use it, we also need to tell everybody the potential risks that it will bring."

Mr Lee said the Government would create a post of Commissioner for AI, with a mandate that he is "the chief for the whole government, in terms of AI. It means setting the policy. It means coordinating resources, identify problems for them, setting the best practices, issuing guidelines. And also, very importantly, is developing AI for the whole of government with a view to, after we have developed our experience, let the world also learn from these experiences."

Hashtag: #HongKong #PolicyAddress #First5YearPlan #IOMed #NorthernMetropolis

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