SG Budget Conversations 2026

In the wake of Singapore’s latest Budget, attention is turning to what the measures will mean where it matters on the ground for small and medium-sized enterprises. From cost pressures and manpower constraints to AI adoption and overseas expansion, are businesses feeling reassured… or still wary about the road ahead? We take the pulse of SME sentiment with: Chen Ze Ling, Group Head of Corporate and SME Banking at DBS Eric Sim, Founder of Institute of Life Toh Ting Feng, CEO and Co-Founder of GetGo Join the Breakfast Show as we unpack early reactions to the Budget, explore how AI is reshaping business models, and explore why more SMEs are eyeing overseas expansion in 2026.  For more Budget 2026 insights: https://www.moneyfm893.sg/whats-on/budget-2026/

Budget 2026 was delivered yesterday against a backdrop of moderating growth and rising global uncertainty. The speech spanned business tax rebates, enhanced overseas expansion support, labour market adjustments, artificial intelligence initiatives, capital market funding, and more calibrated household support. This episode of Morning Shot breaks down what stood out from the announcements, from the signal being sent to Singapore firms, to the shift in tone around household relief, and the structural bets on AI and capital markets. As businesses and households begin digesting the measures, we also look ahead to what matters most in the months to come. The Breakfast Show is joined by Ovais Subhani, Senior Business Correspondent at The Straits Times. For more Budget 2026 insights: https://www.moneyfm893.sg/whats-on/budget-2026/

The STI has just crossed 5,000 for the first time, and Budget 2026 may be adding fresh fuel to the rally. From a S$1.5 billion boost to deepen equity participation, to a new National AI Council and fresh consumer support, the policy signals are clear. Dan Koh speaks with Sarah Jane Mahmud, Senior Industry Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence to break down the real winners, the overlooked sectors, and whether Singapore stocks can sustain their record run.

On Money Matters' Budget 2026 Conversation, Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian speak to Harvey Koenig, Partner, Co-Head of BEPS COE, KPMG, Eugene Tan, Associate Professor of Law, Singapore Management University and former Nominated Member of Parliament, and Dr Clara Lee, Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies Social Lab, National University of Singapore, for their final thoughts on this year's Budget announcement, the hits and misses, and what to expect in the next couple of months as the Budget measures are being implement. 

Harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to overcome structural constraints and turning AI adoption into a strategic advantage for the country. That’s the goal for Singapore in Budget 2026 plans laid out by Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong.  On Money Matters' Budget 2026 Conversation, Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian looked at Singapore's plans to realise its AI ambitions with Harvey Koenig, Partner, Co-Head of BEPS COE, KPMG, Eugene Tan, Associate Professor of Law, Singapore Management University and former Nominated Member of Parliament, and Dr Clara Lee, Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies Social Lab, National University of Singapore. Among the measures discussed - a new set of national AI Missions targeted at driving AI transformation in key sectors of the economy, and a new National AI Council to be chaired by PM Wong to drive coordinated efforts.

A major theme of Budget 2026 was to support businesses negotiating a changing global operating environment, where economic flows are becoming more selective, partnerships are being more strategic, and where resilience now matters as much as efficiency.  On Money Matters' Budget 2026 Conversation, Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian unpacked the suite of measures aimed at helping businesses capture growth opportunities and mitigate short-term challenges with Harvey Koenig, Partner, Co-Head of BEPS COE, KPMG, Eugene Tan, Associate Professor of Law, Singapore Management University and former Nominated Member of Parliament, and Dr Clara Lee, Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies Social Lab, National University of Singapore. These measures ranged from tax rebates and deductions to the enhanced Market Readiness Assistance grant to help companies internationalise.  The team also dived into the expansion of the Startup SG Equity scheme along with the launch of the second $1.5 billion tranche of the Anchor Fund to attract and anchor high quality public listings in Singapore.

Budget 2026 is putting a spotlight on helping workers navigate the shifts brought forward by AI and automation, with support for reskilling, career transitions and manpower planning. This includes government plans to expand the TechSkills Accelerator to help workers build more practical capabilities.  Meanwhile, more support will be given to lower income workers, with the Progressive Wage Credit Scheme has been extended for 2 more years, to 2028, while co-funding support for 2026 has been raised from 20% to 30%. Budget 2026 has also included updates to Singapore’s foreign worker policies.  What does this all mean for our Singapore workforce? How do the new measures aim to equip Singaporeans for the future of work? On Money Matters' Budget 2026 Conversation, Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian speak to Harvey Koenig, Partner, Co-Head of BEPS COE, KPMG, Eugene Tan, Associate Professor of Law, Singapore Management University and former Nominated Member of Parliament, and Dr Clara Lee, Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies Social Lab, National University of Singapore, to find out more. 

About 1.4 million Singaporean households will each get $500 in CDC vouchers. There will also be additional U-Save rebates to help households with their utilities expenses.  On top of this, 2.4 million eligible adult Singaporeans will receive a $200-$400 Cost-of-Living Special Payment in September 2026 to ease expenses. But are these all enough for Singaporeans to tide through the rising cost of living?  And what more support are given to families with children, lower income families and our ageing population? On Money Matters' Budget 2026 Conversation, Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian speak to Harvey Koenig, Partner, Co-Head of BEPS COE, KPMG, Eugene Tan, Associate Professor of Law, Singapore Management University and former Nominated Member of Parliament, and Dr Clara Lee, Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies Social Lab, National University of Singapore, to find out more.   

The theme of Budget 2026 is "Securing our future together in a changed world," with key themes including, advancing our refreshed economic strategy, harnessing AI, budding a resilient and skilled workforce, giving families more support and greater assurance, protecting our security and sustainability and renewing and strengthening our Singapore spirit. So what was the tone of this year's budget? On top of this, the annual Budget is also about revising government revenue and expenditure projections for the current financial year, as well as planning ahead for the new financial year. The estimated size of this year’s budget is $154.7 billion, higher than $143.3 billion previously. On Money Matters' Budget 2026 Conversation, Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian speak to Harvey Koenig, Partner, Co-Head of BEPS COE, KPMG, Eugene Tan, Associate Professor of Law, Singapore Management University and former Nominated Member of Parliament, and Dr Clara Lee, Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies Social Lab, National University of Singapore, for a first look at this year's budget and to take a broader look in terms of Singapore’s economic direction and fiscal stance.    

From red ink to record profits - but how are Grab investors reacting? Grab posts its first full-year profit of US$268 million - and launches a US$500 million buyback - even as shares slide on concerns over growth and its US$425 million acquisition of Stash Financial. On Budget Day, we unpack what Singapore’s AI push, tighter CDC payouts and upskilling drive could mean for markets and households. In UP or DOWN: Apple’s Siri stumbles, McDonald’s value strategy delivers, Cloudflare rides the AI agent wave, and real estate services stocks wobble in the latest AI scare trade. Back home, the STI edges closer to 5,000, with SGX and Singtel leading while CapitaLand Investment slips. And in The Last Word - Avicii’s Wake Me Up crosses 3 billion streams, proving disruption often sounds risky before it sounds iconic. Hosted by Michelle Martin with Ryan Huang. In focus today : Grab, Stash Financial, Apple, McDonald’s, Cloudflare, Singapore Exchange (SGX), Singtel, CapitaLand Investment, Spotify.