Large firms back Budget 2026 measures more strongly than SMEs

Workforce transformation support saw the widest SME-corporate gap.

Large enterprises showed stronger agreement than small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with Singapore Budget 2026 transformation measures, with the widest sentiment gaps seen in workforce transformation and sustainability, according to a Singapore Business Federation report.

For workforce transformation, 13% of large firms “strongly agreed” and 70% “agreed” that the Budget provides adequate support, whilst 13% remained neutral and 4% disagreed.

This is against only 7% and 43% of SMEs saying they “strongly agreed” and “agreed,” respectively, with 10% expressing disagreement, including 8% who “disagreed” and 2% who “strongly disagreed.” The remaining 40% was neutral.

The report noted that large firms rely on structured HR budgets and transformation teams, whilst SMEs face hiring and training constraints.

For energy-efficient and sustainability measures, agreement reached 52% amongst large enterprises compared with 38% for SMEs.

Neutral responses stood at 48% for large firms and 53% for SMEs. No large firms reported disagreement, whilst SMEs recorded a combined 9%.

Large firms cited regulatory and investor pressure, whilst SMEs viewed such investments as cost-intensive amidst operating pressures.

On artificial intelligence adoption, 13% of large firms “strongly agreed” and 70% “agreed,” with 17% neutral and no disagreement.

Amongst SMEs, 18% “strongly agreed” and 44% “agreed,” whilst 32% remained neutral and 5% expressed disagreement.

Large firms cited access to capital and in-house talent, whilst SMEs pointed to cost and talent constraints.

For internationalisation, 9% of large firms “strongly agreed” and 70% “agreed,” with 22% neutral. Amongst SMEs, 12% “strongly agreed” and 47% “agreed,” whilst 36% were neutral and 5% disagreed.

The report noted that large enterprises benefit from established regional networks, whilst SMEs face expansion constraints in markets such as Africa and South America.

Follow the link s for more news on

Chart of the Day

SG Budget 2026

Singapore Budget

The people you want to reach are already in this room.

Every quarter, SBR lands on the desks of the founders, CFOs, and directors running Asia's most consequential companies. Every day, they open our newsletter and read our website. It's a room that took twenty years to build — and it's the one most of our partners are trying to get into.

The good news is that the door is open. We work with companies on thought leadership articles, sponsored content, industry summits across Southeast Asia, regional awards programmes, podcasts, and media placements in print and digital. The shape of the right partnership depends on what you're trying to do, which is why we'd rather start with a conversation than send a rate card.

If you have something this room should know about, tell us. We'll tell you honestly whether we can help, and how.

No rate cards until we understand the brief. It's a better use of everyone's time.

Book a meeting

| Or download the media kit (PDF)

240,000 senior readers quarterly in print Top 1,700 Singapore companies reached

7 markets across Southeast Asia