In Focus
VCs shift to proven startups as AI takes centre stage
Cautious investors are putting capital in fewer companies.
Economic outlook cut to 3.4% despite 6.7% export rise in early 2026
Middle East tensions and oil risks overshadow Singapore’s export resilience.
SMEs give 14% rating to Budget 2026 workforce measures
This is in contrast to the 43% from large firms.
Singapore defies geopolitics to retain no. 1 global connectivity spot
DHL Global Connectedness Report 2026 confirms that it maintains its top-tier ranking.
Manulife’s Leah Ng says better governance boosts women’s leadership
Equity cannot rely only on good intentions; it must be built into systems.
AI support tops Singapore Budget 2026 business approval at 73%
Internationalisation measures rank second in business support.
Inflation rises as Middle East tensions push brent crude higher
A 10% rise in Brent could lift Singapore’s headline CPI by about 0.15 percentage points.
REITs pursue inorganic growth as cap rates remain tight
Resilient growth and safe-haven flows support the sector.
E-commerce market to hit $40.5b in 2026 amidst digital-savvy shopper base
Growth is driven by festivals and livestreaming.
Singapore firms told to prioritise pay for critical talent
Demand outstrips supply in tech, AI, cybersecurity, and finance roles.
Podcast influence drives retail brand discovery in Singapore
Seven in 10 Singaporean podcast listeners discover new brands, boosting retail consideration.
AI to boost ideas and creativity for 80% of Singapore firms
A ManpowerGroup survey found over 75% of SG firms expect AI to assist problem solving and project management.
Singapore bets on AI to drive next phase of growth
Advanced manufacturing, connectivity and logistics will anchor the plan.
Gulf tensions pressure power prices as 95% of electricity relies on gas
About 19% of global LNG trade passes through the Strait of Hormuz.
Learning and development delivers 32% AI ROI as firms audit Q2 performance
ManpowerGroup survey shows Learning & Development leads AI ROI, ahead of talent acquisition and safety.
MBA students chase practical experience
Singapore MBA students prioritise real-world skills and career outcomes
Commentary
Where does value creation really happen?
Managing the cost of diverging standards: Why Singapore matters
Singapore’s AI ambition has an intelligence problem
Singapore is deploying AI at speed – and security risks are catching up
Precious metal boom is a stress test for Singapore’s gold ambitions
Singapore’s global dispute fault lines
‘Tokenmaxxing’ – The wrong AI race to run in Singapore
To outsmart modern fraud, we must first know the enemy
Why Singapore SMEs cannot wait for quantum cyber risk to arrive before securing data