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S’pore SMEs can complement, not compete with, Asean neighbours, says panel
The Straits Times | Published 3 Sep 2025
SINGAPORE – A darkening global trade order and the sparkle of South-east Asia’s rising economies may seem contradictory at first sight, but the twin forces are pushing businesses here to accelerate their drive into overseas markets.
Half of local firms have stepped up their globalisation efforts, up from 44 per cent in 2024, according to the latest annual survey from the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI).
Malaysia, China, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand emerged as their key destinations.
Singapore risks ‘worst of both worlds’ outcome if caught in US-China rivalry: Vivian Balakrishnan
The Business Times | Published 3 Sep 2025
[SINGAPORE] The city-state has benefited from its ability to connect with both the US and China, but these relations risk having a “worst of both worlds” outcome if it gets wrongly caught up in the sharpening rivalry between both superpowers, said Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on Wednesday (Sep 3).
Instead, local businesses should respond to these tensions by doubling down on internationalisation and exploring opportunities in the region, as well as in emerging markets such as India, South America, Africa and the Middle East.
“As we navigate these changes globally, regionally and domestically, we need to reimagine how we do business, how we connect with one another, and how we take advantage of the new technologies,” he said.
Singapore firms split on revenue outlook amid cautious sentiment: SCCCI survey
The Business Times | Published 3 Sep 2025
[SINGAPORE] Revenue expectations among businesses have diverged, with firms becoming more decisive in their optimistic or pessimistic forecasts, a Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) survey found on Wednesday (Sep 3).
The survey aims to offer useful context and ideas for enterprises to strategise and plan for their expansion and road map, said SCCCI president Kho Choon Keng.
A total of 711 businesses were polled over a period of 12 weeks between June and August. Of the respondents, the majority, at 93 per cent, were small and medium-sized enterprises. The remaining 7 per cent were large organisations.
维文：大国竞争日益加剧 站错位或使“两全其美”变“两头受害”
联合早报 | 发布: 2025年9月3日
对于既受益于美国企业在全球的快速发展，又受益于中国改革开放的新加坡而言，一旦在日益加剧的大国竞争中站错位置，原本的“两全其美”随时可能演变成“两头受害”。
外交部长维文医生星期三（9月3日）在中小型企业大会暨资信商业大会（SMEICC）上致辞时说，新加坡过去赖以生存和成功的全球环境，正在发生剧烈震荡。
首先是地缘政治大国采取更狭隘的国家利益观，导致竞争加剧、对话减少、互信不足。一个更加分裂、供应链破碎的世界，也让经商变得困难。
调查：约33%本地企业对今年商业前景感到悲观
8world 新闻网 | 发布: 2025年9月3日
调查显示，约33%的受访本地企业对今年的商业前景感到悲观。
新加坡中华总商会的年度商业调查结果显示，有3.6%的企业对前景感到非常悲观；近37%持中立态度；只有约24%感到乐观。非常乐观的则有2%。
另外，有近33%的受访企业预计今年的营收会下降，比去年约29%高。39%的企业则预期营收会增长，比率也高于去年的约33%。
不过，在75%预计今年会取得盈利的企业中，多达54%预期盈利水平将低于去年。
调查也显示，企业最关心的三大问题是经商成本上升、获得合适劳动力、以及业务向增长领域转型。
叶翃瑚率中总赴新 出席中小企暨资信商业大会
中国报 | 发布: 2025年9月3日
（吉隆坡4日讯）马来西亚中华总商会（中总）副总会长拿督叶翃瑚，于9月3日率领代表团前往新加坡新达城会展中心，出席由新加坡中华总商会主办，为期两天的2025中小型企业大会暨资信商业大会。
叶翃瑚受邀担任大会首日“炉边谈”环节的分享嘉宾，并于9月2日出席新加坡中华总商会举办的欢迎晚宴，与来自东南亚各国中华总商会的嘉宾及主持人会晤交流。
大会以“共享未来：重塑商业新格局”为主题，吸引了约4000名来自世界各地的与会者，共同探讨中小型企业如何在瞬息万变的未来商业环境中携手合作共赢。
Rising costs, manpower shortages top list of concerns for Singapore SMEs: SCCCI survey
The Business Times | Published 9 Oct 2024
RISING business costs, manpower shortages and the need for transformation ranked as the top concerns for Singapore’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), based on the latest annual survey by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI).
“Sentiment among respondents about this year’s business outlook is mixed,” said SCCCI president Kho Choon Keng, as he previewed key survey findings ahead of its full release later this year.
Rising costs are the biggest concern in 2024, cited by 73 per cent of businesses, followed by manpower availability (54 per cent) and business transformation (37 per cent). The top two concerns remain the same as last year, but concerns over uncertain economic and political conditions abroad – which ranked among the top three in 2023 – did not make the list this year.
Keep an eye on the labour market even as GDP numbers are looking up
The Business Times | Published 11 Oct 2024
OCTOBER is usually a busy month with a raft of financial and economic data published by the various agencies. The data ranges from the usual monthly releases to quarterly reports, such as the state of the property market to the performance of the economy, in terms of gross domestic product numbers.
There is the regular monetary policy meeting, which provides a view of inflation and the direction of the Singapore dollar. October also sees third-quarter financial numbers being released by listed companies, which provides another aspect of how the economy and businesses are faring.
Monday’s (Oct 14) releases sound a note of optimism for the economy, with the key GDP release showing a 4.1 per cent year-on-year growth for Q3 while monetary policy settings remain unchanged.
S’pore companies to get more help in adopting clean energy technologies
The Straits Times | Published 10 Oct 2024
Singapore companies will get more help in adopting clean energy technologies under a sustainability initiative launched on Oct 10.
The Sustainability Alliance guides companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in adopting industrywide measures to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions, said the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) at its official launch.
The alliance’s co-chairman, Mr Frank Phuan, said that among other plans, it will be building an online portal in the coming months for SMEs to find sustainability toolkits.
Mixed business outcomes seen for S’pore SMEs in 2024: SCCCI survey
The Straits Times | Published 11 Oct 2024
A key annual survey of business conditions found that rising costs and other challenges contributed to a mixed environment for businesses in 2024.
The Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) found that only a third of local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) expect to post better revenues in 2024 – slightly lower than in 2023 – though 43 per cent of them anticipate better profits, compared with 32.2 per cent in 2023.
Meanwhile, 29 per cent of the respondents forecast lower revenues and about half of them think profits will be worse than in 2023, according to highlights from the SCCCI annual business survey.
调查：本地中小企业仅三成预计 今年营收比去年高
联合早报 | 发布: 2024年10月9日
本地中小企业对今年商业前景看法持谨慎态度，只有33%企业预计今年营收比去年高。预计今年取得盈利的企业当中，近一半认为盈利会比去年低。
新加坡中华总商会会长高泉庆于星期三（10月9日）在中小企业大会暨资信商业大会上，发布了年度商业调查报告。这项调查于今年6月至8月进行，共收到650份问卷回复，主要来自本地中小企业。
我国商团启动可持续发展联盟 助力中小企业加速去碳化
联合早报 | 发布: 2024年10月10日
本地启动可持续发展联盟，推动中小企业加速采纳绿色技术和解决方案。
由新加坡中华总商会、新加坡持续能源协会，以及新加坡科技工商协会（SGTech）共同成立的“可持续发展联盟”（Sustainability Alliance），星期四（10月10日）正式启动。联盟将引导新加坡企业，特别是中小企业，加速采纳绿色技术和解决方案，减少碳排放和环境污染。
Local firms need to collaborate in S’pore’s next phase of development: DPM Heng
The Straits Times | Published 15 Aug 2023
Mr Heng, who is also Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies, said competition and collaboration do not have to be mutually exclusive and that a spirit of “co-op-petition” will help Singapore companies thrive as they venture abroad.
Speaking at the 26th annual SME Infocomm Commerce Conference organised by the SCCCI, he said there are two key areas where deeper collaboration is needed. One is the transformation of industries and enterprises, where companies face common challenges such as climate change or an ageing population
中华总商会迈向国际计划 助企业加快进军中国市场
联合早报 | 发布: 2023年8月15日
新加坡中华总商会与新加坡企业发展局携手制定迈向国际计划，帮助更多新加坡企业利用中华总商会的经验和网络，加快进入中国市场。
副总理兼经济政策统筹部长王瑞杰星期二（8月15日）在中小型企业大会暨资信商业大会上讲话时，宣布这两家机构联合推出“迈向国际@新加坡中华总商”（GlobalConnect@SCCCI）计划。
王瑞杰说，随着新加坡进入下一个发展阶段，商会与商团和企业须深化合作才能前进，以保持领先地位。
调查：对今年业绩不乐观 三成中小企业认为收入会减少
联合早报 | 发布: 2023年8月15日
本地中小企业对今年的业绩展望信心不高，只有35%的企业预计今年的收入会比去年高，其余65%则预计今年的收入会跟去年相同或低于去年。多数企业也面对经营成本上涨、人手短缺和经济不确定所带来的挑战。
新加坡中华总商会会长高泉庆星期二（8月15日）在中小型企业大会暨资信商业大会上，公布年度商业调查报告。
中小企业商业调查在今年6月至8月进行，有大约600家中小企业参加。初步调查结果显示，35%受访企业预计今年的收入会和去年相同，另30%认为收入会减少。
刘燕玲：新中企业的创造力是逆境突围关键
联合早报 | 发布: 2023年8月16日
外部环境瞬息万变，尽管全球局势动荡，危机中必然有转机。新中企业的创造力、以及寻找创新解决方案的能力，往往是在逆境中突围的关键。
贸工部兼文化、社区及青年部政务部长刘燕玲星期三（8月16日）出席2023新中商务论坛致词时，鼓励两国企业联手进军东南亚市场，甚至一同走向国际。
刘燕玲说：“面对瞬息万变的外部环境、全球局势的动荡、地缘政治冲突、通胀压力和气候变化等挑战，我觉得不用太悲观，危机中一定有契机。”
New initiative launched to help SMEs enter China
The Business Times | Published 16 Aug 2023
SINGAPORE companies will get more support to expand into China under a new initiative to help them seek growth opportunities in the market.
The GlobalConnect@SCCCI initiative was launched by Enterprise Singapore and the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCCI) at the 26th SME Infocomm Commerce Conference (SMEICC) on Tuesday (Aug 15).
总商会调查：65%中小型企业预计今年收入会持平或减少
8world 新闻网 | 发布: 2023年8月15日
新加坡中华总商会的最新调查显示，受访的超过600家中小型企业中，有65%预计今年收入会同去年持平或减少。同时，总商会同企业发展局合作，为计划进军中国大湾区的本地企业提供援助，协助他们更深入地了解中国市场，并提供新的商机。
这项迈向国际计划将帮助更多本地企业提升国际化能力，加快进入中国市场。包括举办更多海外研讨会，让企业有机会实地考察以及同其他业者在分享会交流，扩大合作网络，并同新的合作伙伴建立联系。除了上海和成都，总商会和企发局也将向进军广州的企业提供支持。
SMEs plan to digitalise to overcome manpower constraints: Survey
The Straits Times | Published 13 Sep 2022
Speaking at the bilingual conference, Minister for Communications and Information Josephine Teo touched on the importance of reinvention, resilience and repositioning for companies to achieve digital transformation.
调查：虽担忧成本上扬人手短缺和通胀压力 逾七成中小企业看好今年会有盈利
联合早报 | 发布: 2022年9月14日
新加坡中华总商会公布的调查显示，71.6％商家看好今年会有盈利。此外，37.7％商家预计公司营收会增加，36.4％预计持平，比率高于去年的26.2％和26.7％。
逾1万家企业通过首席科技官数码咨询服务 寻求解决方案
8world 新闻网 | 发布: 2022年9月13日
通讯及新闻部长杨莉明出席中华总商会中小型企业大会时表示，企业应该不断创新、推动数码进程，才能把握商机。
SMEs urged to seek new opportunities, develop workforce to survive Covid-19
The Straits Times | Published 15 Sep 2021
Minister Gan Kim Yong said businesses can find new opportunities for transformation and growth even amid the crisis.
颜金勇：转型创新至关重要 企业经营之道是一场马拉松
联合早报 | 发布: 2021年9月16日
贸工部长颜金勇强调，转型和创新对于中小企业保持长期竞争力和韧性至关重要，并鼓励企业重新出发，以新视角适应疫情后的世界，把握眼前各种新机遇。
调查：本地六成受访企业预计今年能取得盈利
8world 新闻网 | 发布: 2021年9月15日
调查结果发现：47%的企业认为他们的业绩会下滑，这比去年的80%减少了许多，显示经济正在复苏。在这同时，26%的受访商家预计，他们的营业额会增加，这比去年的7%高出许多。
中华总商会调查：企业仍面对成本上升压力
联合早报 | 发布: 2021年9月16日
尽管本地企业正从冠病疫情影响中逐渐恢复，但仍面对业务成本上升的压力。新加坡中华总商会的最新调查显示，反映业务成本上升的商家比率从去年的29％上升至今年的57％。
颜金勇呼吁中小型企业改变视角 捉住疫情后新机遇
8world 新闻网 | Published 15 Sep 2021
颜金勇说，今年大会的主题是：“应对未来的能力：重新设定，重新平衡，自我更新”，这个主题非常及时，俗话说“人生是一场马拉松，不是短跑”，这个道理也能运用在企业的经营之道，对中小企业长远的生存而言，转型和创新是保持竞争力和韧性的关键。
新加坡中华总商会调查：六成受访企业预计今年能盈利
中国新闻网 | 发布: 2021年9月16日
黄山忠指出，虽然商业环境正在改善，但对企业来说仍然是一段艰难时期。新加坡中华总商会致力于帮助会员摆脱疫情的影响，特别是在人力挑战方面。他说：“我们很重视外来劳动力因为新冠疫情控制需要，被限制入境的情况。
SCCCI aided 680 firms' China venture in first half
The Straits Times | Published 19 Aug 2020
As an important bridge between the Government and firms, these organisations also help companies overcome crises, said Ms Low.
中华总商会调查：近六成本地企业预计业务需一两年才能恢复
联合早报 | 发布: 2020年8月19日
受到冠病疫情影响，新加坡中华总商会的最新调查显示，接近60％本地企业预计业务要等一两年才有望恢复到疫情前的水平。
60% of Singapore firms say they'll need 1-2 years to recover
The Business Times | Published 19 Aug 2020
More Singapore businesses are expecting a drop in their revenue and profit margin as the economy slows, with trade tensions being a top concern among them.
In tough times, SMEs prioritise revenue ahead of innovation, talent retention
The Business Times | Published 22 Aug 2019
82% of firms in SCCCI survey say expanding topline was key concern, ahead of of product innovation, talent retention and digitalisation
Survey: Firms expecting falling revenues, rising business costs
The Straits Times | Published 22 Aug 2019
More Singapore businesses are expecting a drop in their revenue and profit margin as the economy slows, with trade tensions being a top concern among them.
陈振声：应对短期挑战之际 企业也应放眼长远布局
联合早报 | 发布: 2019年8月22日
尽管中美贸易冲突等造成世界分裂的情况给企业带来挑战，但企业不应只注意应对短期挑战，而应放眼未来做出长远布局和准备。
New approach to deliver help to firms on the way
The Straits Times | Published 21 Aug 2019
Schemes to be more company-centric as S’pore economy gears up for new challenges
陈振声：政府将根据中小企业提交的商业计划提供整体援助
联合早报 | 发布: 2019年8月21日
政府将对中小企业援助计划的执行手法进行调整，从以援助计划为本（scheme centric）转为以企业为本（company centric），这项新做法将超越个别津贴计划，从整体上给予企业援助。
