Go Bold or Go Bust: Are the Best Days Over for Singapore’s Economy?

 

Go Bold or Go Bust? Singapore stands at a crossroads. With global uncertainties and domestic constraints, incrementalism is no longer enough. The Economic Strategy Review Committee must chart bold moves or risk slow growth, hollowed industries, and eroding competitiveness. In an op-ed by SBF CEO Kok Ping Soon, he outlines five priorities: deepen regional integration, unlock growth through JS-SEZ and SIJORI, position Singapore as a capital of trust, build global champions, and renew our social compact for the future.

 

New Ho Chi Minh City PS Centre to Power Singapore Firms’ Expansion

Singapore has launched its second Professional Services (PS) Centre in Ho Chi Minh City with seven Alliance partners including SBF, following its first in Shanghai. The PS Centre provides Singapore firms with regulatory guidance, market insights, and networks to enter Vietnam, while supporting Vietnamese enterprises expanding regionally. Partnering local bodies like the Vietnam Association of Accountants and Auditors, the initiative strengthens Singapore’s services footprint and deepens bilateral collaboration. To learn more, email to [email protected]

 

AI Impact Series to Equip 300 Enterprises, 1,500 Professionals by 2026

SGTech has launched the AI Impact Series with SUTD and partners including SBF to equip 300 enterprises and 1,500 professionals with practical AI skills by June 2026. Targeted at SMEs, the initiative helps firms identify relevant AI use cases and upskill their workforce to stay competitive. SBF Chief Smart Technologies and Sustainability Officer Lee Yee Fung noted the programme gives companies confidence to assess AI needs and deploy solutions effectively. For more information, reach out to [email protected]

 

 

More Time, Better Prep: SBF Boosts Businesses’ Climate Reporting Readiness

Mr Ravi Menon, Singapore’s Ambassador for Climate Action, stressed that sustainability reporting remains a strategic imperative despite extended compliance timelines. Acting on SBF's recommendations, regulators granted companies more runway to meet ISSB-aligned standards, easing pressure on smaller firms. Mr Menon said the focus is on quality, not speed, as credible disclosures boost investor confidence and competitiveness. Larger STI firms must still meet tighter deadlines, including Scope 3 emissions by FY2026, reinforcing Singapore’s climate leadership.

 

Turning Corporate Volunteering into Sustainable Business Value

SBF Foundation CEO Jean Tan highlights how social impact is evolving from a “nice-to-have” to an integral part of business strategy in Singapore. She stresses that social sustainability—how companies treat people—must be embedded in daily operations, beyond one-off CSR. SBF’s Volunteer Inc. programme, guided by the P.A.C.T. framework, helps SMEs overcome resource constraints by making corporate volunteering structured, measurable, and sustainable, creating dual value for communities and employee engagement while strengthening long-term business resilience.

 

Singapore Apex Corporate Sustainability Awards 2025

Celebrate excellence in corporate sustainability at the Singapore Apex Corporate Sustainability Awards 2025! Recognising organisations leading with innovation, impact, and responsibility, this flagship event highlights those shaping Singapore’s sustainable future and offers a unique platform to network with changemakers.