EDB investment blitz hooks 15,700 jobs for high-value roles

Total business expenditure hit $8.9b led by corporate headquarters and professional services.

Investment commitments secured in 2025 are expected to create 15,700 jobs and contribute $18b in value-added over the next five years, according to the Economic Development Board (EDB).

The board said it attracted strong commitments across key sectors despite a volatile global environment marked by economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and rapid technological change.

“The 2025 investment commitments show that in an increasingly fragmented world, Singapore remains a trusted hub for global enterprises to strengthen business resilience and create value for the long-term,” said Png Cheong Boon, chairman of EDB.

Fixed asset investment reached $14.2b, with $12.1b in manufacturing projects covering semiconductors, biomedical, chemicals, and aerospace.

Semiconductor manufacturers expanded production to meet global AI-related chip demand, biomedical companies increased capacity for high-value pharmaceuticals, and chemicals and aerospace firms invested in specialty materials and high-value MRO capabilities.

In 2025, Singapore’s economy expanded 4.8%, extending the 4.4% growth recorded in 2024, with goods-producing industries led by a 15.0% increase in manufacturing output, according to advance estimates released by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI).

Total business expenditure amounted to $8.9b, driven largely by headquarters (HQ), professional services, and research and development (R&D).

Technology companies led HQ investments, followed by consumer and professional services sectors, whilst R&D projects included new Centres of Excellence and collaborations across semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, biofuels, and digital technologies.

The 15,700 jobs are expected across services (40%), manufacturing (37%), and R&D and innovation (23%), with the majority being professional, manager, executive, and technician (PMET) roles offering competitive salaries above $5,000 per month.

The city state’s labour market continued to grow in the first quarter of 2025, but at a slower pace than the previous quarter, with total employment increasing by 2,400 compared to 7,700 in the fourth quarter of 2024, as per data from the Ministry of Manpower.

Emerging roles include product managers, data scientists, sustainability specialists, manufacturing technicians, AI research scientists, and robotics engineers, providing pathways for both fresh graduates and mid-career professionals.

EDB said it worked closely with companies, industry associations, and higher education institutes to equip Singaporeans with in-demand skills through initiatives such as the Industrial Postgraduate Programme and the Singapore Leaders Network Fellowship, focusing on areas like AI, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and R&D capabilities.

Key growth areas included artificial intelligence, precision medicine, green and bio-based economy, and next-generation hardware and mobility. Over 60 AI Centres of Excellence were established, whilst precision medicine projects expanded multiomics, robotics, and AI capabilities. Green initiatives included a $20m carbon development fund, the Blue Carbon Support Programme, and expansion into biofuels and specialty chemicals.

Investments in data centre hardware, quantum testing, and autonomous mobility supported new jobs in software, hardware, and automation.

EDB also said it strengthened the broader ecosystem by supporting partnerships between multinational corporations and local enterprises, generating 19 co-innovation projects in 2025.

The Global Founder Programme, launched in April 2025, attracted over 40 ventures in AI, green economy, and deep tech, collectively raising $1.7b in funding, with a portion dedicated to expanding Singapore operations.

Progress continued in the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), leveraging cross-border connectivity and complementary strengths, while regional cooperation with Batam, Bintan, and Karimun (BBK) is expected to attract further global investments and strengthen economic integration.

EDB expects continued global competition and disruption from geopolitical, climate, and technological risks.

To maintain momentum, it will focus on leading growth sectors, developing new modern services and technologies, anchoring globally ambitious enterprises, and upskilling Singaporeans to capture emerging opportunities.