Singapore

Singapore could face double whammy of rising energy costs and higher US tariffs
16Mar mmBy Brian ThompsonNo Comments
Singapore

Singapore could face double whammy of rising energy costs and higher US tariffs

While higher energy costs will fuel inflation, a dramatic rise in US tariffs could hit economic growth by putting Singapore’s exports to the US at risk. With no end in sight to the spiralling conflict in the Middle East that has sent oil and natural gas prices spiking, the Singapore economy now faces another potential threat: US probes on alleged excess manufacturing capacity and forced-labour practices. While higher energy costs will fuel inflation, a dramatic rise in US tariffs could hit economic growth by putting Singapore’s exports to the US at risk. The US trade probe on excess manufacturing, announced on March 11, operates under a law that could allow the Trump administration to impose tariffs as high as 100 per cent or more on specific goods. Singapore is amo...
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Airplane Art – Singapore Airlines Boeing 787-10 taxiing at Changi Airport
16Mar mmBy Brian ThompsonNo Comments
Singapore

Airplane Art – Singapore Airlines Boeing 787-10 taxiing at Changi Airport

This week, we have a Singapore Airlines Boeing 787-10 taxiing at its home base, Singapore Changi Airport, as it heads towards the runway for another departure. Singapore Airlines operates a fleet of 28 Boeing 787-10 aircraft in its widebody operation. The airline also flies the Airbus A350-900, Airbus A350-900ULR, Airbus A380 and Boeing 777-300ER in its widebody operation, connecting the island of Singapore to the world. The aircraft shown this week is 9v-SCR. It first flew in February 2021, but was not delivered to the airline until September 2023, making the aircraft just over 5 years old. Its last reported flight was a return between Singapore and Taipei on the 9th March, but it has not reported for duty since then.
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US tariffs pose limited risk to economy despite 15% threat: Gan Siow Huang
9Mar mmBy Mike TrudellNo Comments
Singapore, USA

US tariffs pose limited risk to economy despite 15% threat: Gan Siow Huang

New 10% levy is broadly unchanged from previous reciprocal taxes. US tariffs are expected to have a limited impact on Singapore’s economy despite uncertainty over a possible increase to 15%, according to Minister of State for Trade and Industry Gan Siow Huang. The immediate impact is not expected to be significant since the 10% tariff is broadly unchanged from the reciprocal levy already imposed on Singapore’s exports to the US since April 2025, Gan said in Parliament on 5 March. This follows a 20 February 2026 ruling by the US Supreme Court striking down reciprocal tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. On the same day, the US introduced a 10% tariff on all imports under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 for a period of 150 days. “It is ...
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“Financial ruin, family breakdown, even death” – China’s Singapore casino warning
18Feb mmBy Joe RodriguezNo Comments
China, Singapore

“Financial ruin, family breakdown, even death” – China’s Singapore casino warning

China’s embassy in Singapore has warned that engaging in gambling leads to ‘a path of no return’ in a dark message to its citizens. The message comes in the wake of the embassy dealing with the aftermath of a Chinese national jumping to his death from the Marina Bay Sands hotel, which the embassy attributed to gambling. “Participating in gambling leads to a path of no return, including financial ruin, family breakdown, and even death,” stated the embassy. “Cross-border gambling may also bring risks such as fraud, money laundering, kidnapping, detention, human trafficking, and smuggling.” Gambling is strictly prohibited in China, and Chinese citizens are also legally prevented from cross-border gambling, even if they are situated in a jurisdiction where ...
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Hong Kong, Singapore to be biggest winners as global capital flows shift to Asia: DBS CEO
9Feb mmBy Brian ThompsonNo Comments
Asia, China, Singapore

Hong Kong, Singapore to be biggest winners as global capital flows shift to Asia: DBS CEO

The two financial hubs are best choices for global investors seeking to diversify their portfolios amid geopolitical risks, Tan Su Shan says Hong Kong and Singapore are set to be the biggest winners in attracting new capital inflows as global investors diversify their asset allocations amid geopolitical risks and trade tensions, according to the top executive at DBS Group. The two Asian financial centres would be the best choice for international investors who previously held overweight positions in US markets but now sought to diversify their portfolios, Tan Su Shan, CEO of the largest lender in Southeast Asia, said in an interview last week. US interest rate cuts and ongoing geopolitical tensions have prompted international investors to eye faster-growing Asi...
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Singapore to establish national space agency to turn space capabilities into economic growth
3Feb mmBy Michael SmithNo Comments
Asia, Singapore

Singapore to establish national space agency to turn space capabilities into economic growth

Singapore is setting up a national space agency to anchor its next phase of growth in the global space economy. The aim is to move beyond consuming space services and become “credible contributors to the global space ecosystem,” says Dr Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower and Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology in the Ministry of Trade and Industry. The National Space Agency of Singapore (NSAS) will be established on April 1, with Ngiam Le Na appointed as its founding chief executive. The agency will take over and expand the functions of the Economic Development Board's Office for Space Technology and Industry (OSTin), providing what Tan describes as "decisive leadership to seize opportunities in the expanding space economy". Speaking at the Space Summit...
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16Jan mmBy Michael SmithNo Comments
Singapore

Singapore Startup Visa: How foreign workers can start and grow business in the country

Singapore offers a dedicated work visa, called the EntrePass, for foreign entrepreneurs who want to establish and operate businesses in the country. The scheme is introduced to attract innovative ventures or companies backed by strong investment, supporting Singapore’s goal of becoming a leading hub for startups and technology-driven enterprises. Administered by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the EntrePass provides a structured pathway for eligible foreign founders to contribute to the local economy while running their businesses. Who can apply The EntrePass is aimed at entrepreneurs who plan to incorporate and actively manage a business in Singapore. Eligible applicants include startup founders whose ventures are supported by recognised venture capital...
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Singapore consumer inflation remains steady at 1.2% in November, missing estimates
26Dec mmBy Michael SmithNo Comments
Singapore

Singapore consumer inflation remains steady at 1.2% in November, missing estimates

Singapore’s inflation in November remained steady at 1.2%, missing estimates, as a higher increase in prices of services was offset by a steeper decline in electricity costs. The reading was lower than Reuters-polled analysts’ median estimates of 1.3%. Core inflation in the city-state, which strips out prices of private transport and accommodation, also came in at 1.2%, compared to expectations of 1.3%. Higher services inflation at 1.9% was due to larger increases in the costs of point-to-point transport, which includes taxis, ride-hailing and car-pooling services, and health insurance. In contrast, inflation for retail and other goods slowed as the prices of clothing and footwear, as well as personal-care appliances declined, in addition to the fall in electricity costs. ...
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Economists raise Singapore’s 2025 growth forecast to 4.1%: MAS survey
17Dec mmBy Michael SmithNo Comments
Asia, Singapore

Economists raise Singapore’s 2025 growth forecast to 4.1%: MAS survey

The projection is similar to the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s (MTI) economic growth forecast of about 4 per cent  for 2025, and slightly lower than the 4.4 per cent growth recorded last year. Private sector economists have raised their growth forecast for the Singapore economy this year to 4.1 per cent, significantly higher than their previous estimate of 2.4 per cent made in September. The projection, released by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) in its latest survey of professional forecasters on Wednesday (Dec 17), is similar to the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s (MTI) forecast of around 4 per cent, and slightly lower than the 4.4 per cent growth recorded last year. A total of 20 economists and analysts responded to the survey, MAS said. The Singapore econ...
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Why connectivity, not just AI, will power Singapore’s next leap in competitiveness
15Dec mmBy Michael SmithNo Comments
Asia, Singapore

Why connectivity, not just AI, will power Singapore’s next leap in competitiveness

Beyond finance, resilient connectivity is a critical element of economic diplomacy and trade necessity. Singapore has championed AI as the next frontier of its economic growth ambitions for some years now, having recently announced a $1 billion investment into artificial intelligence (AI) over the next five years to bolster compute infrastructure, develop talent, and encourage industry partnerships. While such investments are decisive statements in and of themselves, the broader observation is that Singapore’s competitive advantage, particularly in high-value services, depends fundamentally on a reliable, high-performance network foundation. AI can only deliver on its promise if it is built upon a robust digital infrastructure, and right now, network reliability is emerging as a...
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