Staying open, staying competitive: business perspectives on Singapore’s new phase

The Chamber convened a roundtable with Mr Alvin Tan, Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of National Development, bringing together business leaders for a timely exchange on navigating an increasingly complex operating environment.

At the outset, our CEO, Bita Seow, shared key insights from SICC’s Rapid Pulse Survey on the impact of current geopolitical developments on business operations. The findings point to a continued posture of caution among businesses since 2025, a rising strategic emphasis on ASEAN, and a clear call for regular, structured policy dialogue through platforms such as SICC.

In his opening remarks, MOS Alvin Tan provided both regional and domestic perspectives on energy market developments. He outlined considerations around the sustainability of fuel subsidies and referenced measures Singapore has put in place in advance of recent pressures.

The roundtable discussion centred on Singapore’s positioning in the current environment, including its value proposition as a MICE hub and its long-term, forward-looking approach to competitiveness. The importance of sustained public-private collaboration was underscored, with SICC recognised as a key platform through which business perspectives can inform policy considerations.

Reflections from the discussion highlighted several themes: the value of an ecosystem approach, and the importance of keeping channels open while leveraging free trade agreements to remain competitive.

At SICC, we provide a trusted platform for dialogue between business and government – enabling the exchange of perspectives, informing policy, and supporting businesses in navigating change.

We thank MOS Alvin Tan for the candid engagement, Ms Lee Sze Yeng from KPMG for moderating the discussion, and all participants for contributing to a substantive and forward-looking exchange.

We would like to extend our appreciation to KMPG in Singapore for their support and collaboration as Knowledge Partner.