SBF Research & Reports

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SBF RESEARCH & REPORTS

Building Deep Insights for Tomorrow’s Actions

Curating business sentiments, market trends, best practices, and experiences from successful companies that will inspire insights in driving your business. Discover new perspectives as you put SBF research and data behind your plans.

For queries and more information, please contact the Research team here.

National Business Survey

The National Business Survey is one of the key surveys conducted by SBF. Through this survey, SBF seeks to identify the needs, concerns and future plans of our members, gather feedback on the Singapore Budget measures, issues related to economic restructuring and identify areas of assistance required by the business community. The results of the survey are shared with the Singapore Government as inputs for the Singapore Budget. Given findings from the survey, SBF is also better able to understand the needs of the Singapore business community and to address them effectively.

National Business Survey 2023/24

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National Business Survey 2023/24

Survey Video

2023/24 REPORTS

National Business Survey 2022/23

2022/23 REPORTS

National Business Survey 2021/22

2021/22 REPORTS

National Business Survey 2020/21

2020/21 REPORTS

National Business Survey 2019/20

2019/20 REPORTS

National Business Survey 2018/19

2018/19 REPORTS

National Business Survey 2017/18

2017/18 REPORTS

National Business Survey 2016/17

2016/17 REPORTS

National Business Survey 2015/16

National Business Survey 2013/14

National Business Survey 2014/15

2014/15

National Business Survey 2014/15

National Business Survey 2012/13

2012/13

National Business Survey 2012/13

National Business Survey 2011/12

2011/12

National Business Survey 2011/12

National Business Survey 2010/11

2010/11

National Business Survey 2010/11

Budget Recommendations

SBF coordinates and collates feedback from SMEs across the various business chambers and industry associations. Since the SME Committee (SMEC) was established by SBF in 2011, it has served as a platform for SME owners to provide feedback, consolidate their views and discuss ideas and suggestions for effective policies. The needs and concerns of SMEs are then analysed and provided as feedback to various government ministries for the planning of the yearly Budget.

Recommendations for Budget 2024

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Recommendations for Budget 2023

Recommendations for Budget 2018

Recommendations for Budget 2017

Recommendations for Budget 2015

Budget Recommendations – At a Glance 2018

Recommendations for Budget 2021

Budget Recommendations – At a Glance 2019

Recommendations for Budget 2014

Recommendations for Budget 2022

Recommendations for Budget 2020

Recommendations for Budget 2012

Recommendations for Budget 2013

Recommendations for Budget 2016

Budget Recommendations – At a Glance 2020

Recommendations for Budget 2019

Budget Recommendations – At a Glance 2014

Budget Recommendations – At a Glance 2017

Budget Recommendations – At a Glance 2015

Budget Recommendations – At a Glance 2016

Post-Budget Business Surveys/Polls

SBF acts as a bridge, facilitator and enabler for the business community. As part of these efforts, SBF conducts a post-budget survey immediately after the Singapore Budget measures are announced every year. This survey covers business sentiments, views on the usefulness of the Budget measures, feedback from businesses on what more can be done and areas of assistance they require. The results of the survey are shared with the Government and the business community.

SBF Manpower and Wages Survey 2023

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SBF Survey on Impact of Ukraine-Russia Conflict on Singapore Businesses

SBF Webinar Poll on Unity Budget 2020

SBF’s Future Economy Conference and Exhibition 2018 Poll Report

Post Budget Survey 2016

SBF Survey on Budget 2022 Measures

SBF Webinar Poll on Resilience Budget 2020

SBF Survey on Business Sentiments & Support that Businesses May Require in the On-going Phase 2 Post-Circuit Breaker Period

Post Budget Survey 2019 Infographics

2019

Post Budget Survey 2019 Infographics

SBF Survey on the Resilience & Solidarity Budgets 2020 & Companies’ Foreign Business Operations

SBF Survey on Budget 2021 Measures

Post Budget Survey 2017

Survey on Impact of Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) Measures on Businesses

SBF Webinar Poll on Fortitude Budget 2020 & SBF Webinar Poll on COVID-19 Impact: Phase 2 Reopening and Financing Options for Businesses – Private Equity and Credit Solutions

SBF Webinar Poll on Budget 2021

SBF Survey on Manpower and Wages

SBF Post-Budget Survey 2023

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SBF Post Budget Survey 2019 Report

Infographics

PAST ISSUES

SBF Survey on COVID-19 Outbreak & Unity Budget 2020 Measures

SBF Survey on the Impact of Extended Circuit Breaker Period till 1 June 2020

Post Budget Survey 2018

SBF SME Internationalisation Index

A handy reference for companies who want to expand to international markets. This bi-annual, six-month forward-looking international business indicator identifies SME sentiments towards overseas markets with an easy-to-digest review of overseas market opportunities, challenges, and best practices.

SBF SME Internationalisation Index Q1 2023

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SBF SME Internationalisation Index Q4 2022

SBF SME Internationalisation Index Q2 2022

Index Video

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SBF SME Internationalisation Index Q4 2021

Q4 2021

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Q3 2021

SBF Infographics

The SBF Infographics seeks to provide businesses with updates on prevailing stylised facts, selected sector highlights and business opportunities for markets in ASEAN and beyond. Businesses can obtain concise information on a country's economic and social outlook, as well as information on how to embark on an internationalisation journey.

SBF Country Infographics - Saudi Arabia

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Insights Report on Internationalisation

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SBF Country Infographics - India

SBF Country Infographics - Japan

SBF Country Infographics - Republic of Korea

SBF Country Infographics - Laos

SBF Country Infographics - Cambodia

SBF Topical Research Reports

The SBF Topical Research Report seeks to uncover insights and shed light on topical issues of business interest, by diving deep into the subject matter in question and complementing findings from secondary research with primary information curated through a variety of approaches, for instance via focus group discussions and/or polls. Industry relevant lessons and implications are then drawn, and broad perspectives formed.

Digitalisation: Driving Force of SME Internationalisation

The Competitive Landscape of Sub-Saharan Africa

Case Studies

The objective of the SBF Company Case Study Series is to share translatable key lessons and industry practices for local companies looking to internationalise. Through the use of these case studies, SBF also hopes to provide a platform that can help foster and promote timely discussions amongst business leaders on issues related to internationalisation and transformation.

Issue 13 (Oct 2023) Lim Kee: Bringing Singapore’s Unique Flavours Abroad

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Issue 12 (Aug 2023) Singapore Safety Glass: Where Clear Vision Shapes Success

Issue 11 (Mar 2023) The Golden Duck: Flying into the Wind for Growth

Issue 10 (June 2022) Hong Guan (Tackle): Focus On Your Competitive Advantage

Issue 9 (Feb 2022) Mlion Corporation: Sell Innovative Solutions, Not Products

Issue 8 (Dec 2021) OPSolutions: International Expansion In The Face Of A Pandemic

Issue 7 (Aug 2021) Yappy Pets: Growing International Presence by Staying Ahead of the Digital Curve

Issue 6 (Jun 2021) Building Strategic Foundations for Internationalisation: Lessons from Koda Limited

Issue 5 (Feb 2021) Q Industries: Re-strategising a Family Business

Issue 4 (Dec 2020) SmartClean Technology: Disrupting the Cleaning Market of Today

Issue 3 (Sep 2020) Holistics Software: Bootstrapping a Start-up

Issue 2 (Aug 2020) Yang Kee Logistics: Overcoming Constraints by Moving Together

Issue 1 (May 2020) Top International Holding: Next-Generation Entrepreneurship as Symbolic Succession

Video Series

The objective of the SBF Company Video Series is to share translatable key lessons and industry practices for local companies looking to internationalise. Through the use of these videos, SBF also hopes to provide a platform that can help foster and promote timely discussions amongst business leaders on issues related to internationalisation and transformation.

Episode 8 (Dec 2023) Lim Kee Food Manufacturing

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Episode 8 (Dec 2023) Lim Kee Food Manufacturing

Episode 7 (July 2023) The Golden Duck Co

Episode 6 (Apr 2022) Mlion Corporation

Episode 5 (Mar 2022) Koda Limited

Episode 4 (Nov 2021) Yappy Pets

Episode 3 (May 2021) OPSolutions

Episode 2 (Jan 2021) Hong Guan (Tackle)

Episode 1 (Oct 2020) SmartClean Technologies

SBF Market Reports

The SBF Market Report addresses specific industry concerns, seeks to uncover pain points concerning internationalisation, and identifies some of the best practices that SMEs can adopt when entering a specific country. The Report dives deep into the subject matter and complements findings from secondary research with primary information curated through a variety of approaches, such as focus group discussions and/or polls, etc. Industry relevant lessons and best practices are then drawn, and broad perspectives formed.

Nov 2022: Indonesia

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Jan 2022: Vietnam

Infographics

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Economic Indicators Reports

On October 2019, SBF launched the quarterly SBF Economic Indicators Report (Singapore), prepared by the SBF SME Committee Research Sub-Committee. The report features a series of selected charts depicting important economic indicators, along with brief commentaries. The purpose of this report is to provide our business community with timely and relevant updates regarding key economic developments and trends in Singapore.