Gan Kim Yong
Singapore
“Consumer complaints relating to the secondary resale market for tickets to major events and concerts have generally remained low. Nonetheless, to protect the public from scams on secondary ticket resale platforms, the Police have imposed Code of Practice requirements under the Online Criminal Harms Act to require designated online service…”
“Singapore does not condone the use of forced labour. We criminalise forced labour in Singapore under various laws. Relevant Government Ministries and agencies, such as the Ministry of Manpower, Ministry of Home Affairs and Singapore Police Force, play their part in investigating complaints of suspected breaches in domestic laws that relat…”
“The Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS) discontinued the PayNow nickname feature as scammers had been exploiting the use of nicknames to impersonate legitimate entities and trusted individuals.”
“As of end-2025, around 6,900 private residential buildings have registered their solar installations with SP Group for the export of excess solar-generated electricity to the grid. The installed solar capacity of these residential buildings is 115.3 megawatt-peak (MWp), or around 5.5% of all current installed solar capacity in Singapore.”
“The one-year pilot extension of liquor trading hours has seen strong interest from businesses. As of 31 May 2026, the Police have approved 88 applications for the extension of liquor trading hours from public entertainment outlets in these areas.”
“The Government does not make projections of domestic or regional demand for renewable diesel or sustainable aviation fuel. Demand depends on commercial considerations, evolving market conditions and regulatory developments across different jurisdictions.”
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“The Government initiated the unit pricing pilot across major supermarkets in September 2025 and has received positive feedback that unit pricing has been useful in helping consumers compare prices across different brands and package sizes. The pilot will be expanded to cover more in-store and online outlets and a wider range of grocery items later this year. The Government will continue to gather more data from the consumers on the effectiveness of unit pricing and also seek feedback from operators to understand the operational feasibility of unit pricing and the impact to their businesses before deciding on the next steps. Apart from promoting price and information transparency, the Government also seeks to promote fair competition and diversify our sources so that consumers have wider choices and can enjoy more competitive prices for similar products. Where businesses make false or misleading representations, such actions constitute as unfair practices under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act 2003 (CPFTA). The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCS) can also investigate and take enforcement action against such egregious businesses under the CPFTA. CCS and the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) regularly conduct outreach and public education efforts to inform and educate consumers about their rights and available avenues for redress. Consumers are encouraged to contact CASE to share any concerns or feedback about suspected unfair trading practices.”
“As of end-2025, around 6,900 private residential buildings have registered their solar installations with SP Group for the export of excess solar-generated electricity to the grid. The installed solar capacity of these residential buildings is 115.3 megawatt-peak (MWp), or around 5.5% of all current installed solar capacity in Singapore. While there is scope to grow private residential solar generation, it will only make up less than 1% of Singapore's long-term generation mix due to land constraints and heavy cloud cover. Therefore, to achieve our broader sustainability goals, we need to depend on other more impactful measures to conserve energy, diversify our energy mix and decarbonise our economy. Some examples of how Singaporeans can help are by switching to more energy efficient home appliances, taking public transport instead of driving and switching to electric vehicles.”
“The Government does not make projections of domestic or regional demand for renewable diesel or sustainable aviation fuel. Demand depends on commercial considerations, evolving market conditions and regulatory developments across different jurisdictions. Similarly, investments in production capacity are determined by the private sector based on commercial decisions. The figure referred to by the Member was cited by an external stakeholder during the public hearing for the United States Trade Representative's Section 301 investigation into structural excess capacity and production in manufacturing sectors. It is not a Government estimate or projection.”
“Consumer complaints relating to the secondary resale market for tickets to major events and concerts have generally remained low. Nonetheless, to protect the public from scams on secondary ticket resale platforms, the Police have imposed Code of Practice requirements under the Online Criminal Harms Act to require designated online services to verify users against Government-issued records if they advertise or post about the sales of goods and/or services or intend to do so. Ahead of high-demand concerts, the Police have also stepped up public education efforts to discourage eventgoers from purchasing tickets on unofficial resale platforms and work with these platforms to remove resale listings suspected to be scams. In addition, major ticketing service providers are adopting features to ensure ticket authenticity. These include dynamic mobile tickets that are harder to duplicate as well as ticket transfer functions, so that tickets can only be transferred securely through their respective platforms.”
“Singapore maintains a competitive market so that the food and beverage (F&B) and retail operators can compete and grow. This also provides more and better options for consumers. The Government monitors market developments to ensure the efficient functioning of markets in Singapore and we will not hesitate to take action against anti-competitive or unfair trading practices. Local-owned enterprises continue to account for the majority in the F&B and retail sectors, making up about 90% of enterprises. Their share reflects the strong presence of local businesses in Singapore's F&B and retail landscape. At the same time, we support local businesses to remain competitive through strengthening their capabilities, innovating and offering differentiated products. Local enterprises can tap on schemes, such as the Enterprise Development Grant and Productivity Solutions Grant, to enhance productivity and transform their businesses. We also have targeted support, such as the Enhanced Visual Merchandising Programme, for our heartland enterprises and have put in place initiatives, such as the Retail Maverick Challenge launched by Enterprise Singapore and CapitaLand Investment, to support local retailers in piloting innovative and experiential retail concepts. The Government will continue to work with industry stakeholders and engage key trade associations, such as the Singapore Retailers Association, to support the growth and competitiveness of local enterprises.”
“Companies determine which food manufacturing capabilities to remain in Singapore based on commercial considerations. If they seek to invest in Singapore or develop new capabilities, our economic agencies will assess if they qualify for incentives, such as the Enterprise Development Grant, based on the scale and scope of the investments, as well as any specialised expertise or technology that will be introduced which will benefit Singapore and Singaporeans. In addition, our economic agencies support food companies to undertake functions, such as research and development, product and process innovation, test-bedding and commercialisation of new products in Singapore that will add value to our economy. To be attractive and competitive, we must continue to strengthen our connectivity to markets and supply chains in the region and globally. Our robust food safety regime also provides the trust and assurance that give our food companies added advantage in accessing overseas markets. In addition, Enterprise Singapore has developed sector-specific resources and infrastructure, such as the Food Manufacturing Industry Digital Plan, Food Manufacturing Sustainability Playbook and Centres of Innovation, to cater to the industry's specific needs.”
“The Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS) discontinued the PayNow nickname feature as scammers had been exploiting the use of nicknames to impersonate legitimate entities and trusted individuals. Scammers would change the nicknames of accounts that they had obtained control over, to deceive victims to transfer funds into these accounts. Allowing nicknames on a case-by-case basis undermines the purpose of the initiative, as PayNow participating institutions are unable to assess the legitimacy of such requests and may inadvertently approve nicknames that could later be used for impersonation scams. ABS adopted the current name display format, following industry and consumer consultations, with the aim of providing payers sufficient information to transact with confidence while preserving a reasonable level of privacy for payees. Monetary Authority of Singapore and ABS will continue to review feedback received for future improvements.”
“The one-year pilot extension of liquor trading hours has seen strong interest from businesses. As of 31 May 2026, the Police have approved 88 applications for the extension of liquor trading hours from public entertainment outlets in these areas. Local stakeholders have also responded positively and indicated that the pilot has supported their efforts to enhance vibrancy in Boat Quay and Clarke Quay. The law-and-order situation in the area has remained stable thus far. We will continue to monitor reception from the public, as well as responses from the industry and local stakeholders, and review the impact of the pilot, including whether to implement the extension of liquor trading hours on a longer-term basis.”
“Singapore does not condone the use of forced labour. We criminalise forced labour in Singapore under various laws. Relevant Government Ministries and agencies, such as the Ministry of Manpower, Ministry of Home Affairs and Singapore Police Force, play their part in investigating complaints of suspected breaches in domestic laws that relate to forced labour practices. Singapore has also consistently played a constructive role in advancing international labour standards to address the issue of forced labour. We ratified the International Labour Organization's (ILO's) Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (C29) in October 1965. Forced labour in complex and multi-tiered supply chains is a transnational issue that is most effectively addressed at source, and with international cooperation. We will continue to work with the international community to develop measures against forced labour globally and will review our regulatory approach from time to time to ensure it remains relevant in addressing this issue.”
“On 8 May 2026, Clean Fuel Alliance America (CFAA), a United States (US) trade association, alleged that overcapacity in the biofuels industries of Finland, Singapore and the Netherlands threatened US producers. This allegation was made at a public hearing as part of the US Trade Representative's (USTR's) investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 into the acts, policies and practices of 16 economies, including Singapore, relating to structural excess capacity and production in manufacturing sectors. Singapore’s energy and chemicals industry, including biofuels, operates in a competitive global market. Singapore does not subsidise the cost of biofuel production. Singapore's production capacity and exports of biofuels are demand driven and producers price their products based on global commodity prices, feedstock costs and prevailing market conditions. As a small and open economy, our manufacturing output cannot depend solely on domestic demand and would also need to serve the needs of overseas markets. We should not speculate on the potential impact of the CFAA's testimony on the USTR's investigation, which is still ongoing. Singapore has constructively engaged the USTR throughout this process and highlighted that our economic policies are carefully designed not to distort market forces. We will continue to engage the USTR on this matter as necessary.”
“The Government has not observed export constraints impeding the development of Singapore's deep tech ecosystem. As a global business hub, Singapore offers an open and vibrant ecosystem that enables our companies to access diverse sources of technology and partnerships. Singapore has also remained attractive to leading research and entrepreneurial talent. For instance, the Economic Development Board's Global Founder Programme (GFP) has worked with close to 80 experienced founders to grow more than 45 new ventures, over half of which are in artificial intelligence and deep tech. To date, these ventures have collectively raised more than US$2 billion in venture capital funding. Alongside this, we are growing the pipeline of top scientific and engineering talent in Singapore, through the Agency for Science, Technology and Research graduate scholarships, and other programmes in the universities. Singapore is leveraging our strong foundation in scientific research and development, nurtured steadily over several research, innovation and enterprise (RIE) plans, to strengthen our competitiveness in industries, such as semiconductor and to build capabilities, in important emerging technologies, such as quantum and space. In addition, the Government has expanded efforts to support deep tech enterprises through initiatives, such as the Startup SG Equity scheme, where we have set aside an additional $1 billion to fund early- and growth-stage deep tech startups. We believe that these and other initiatives will strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of our deep tech ecosystem. The Government will continue to closely monitor global developments and work with a diverse range of international partners to safeguard Singapore's access to critical and emerging technologies.”
“As a small and open economy that imports most of our essential goods, Singapore is exposed to global supply chain disruptions which can pose an upward pressure on our domestic prices. The Government's approach to guard against profiteering is to promote fair competition, diversify our sources and choices for consumers, as well as help them make informed decisions through greater price and information transparency. For example, the Government has worked with the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) to develop Price Kaki, a mobile application that allows consumers to compare the prices of a wide range of cooked food, groceries and other daily essentials across different operators. CASE is currently assessing the feasibility of expanding the range of goods and services on Price Kaki. Last year, the Government also worked with major supermarkets to pilot unit pricing for common grocery items across more than 180 outlets islandwide. This allows consumers to compare prices more easily across different product sizes and brands. The pilot will be expanded later this year to cover more in-store and online supermarkets, and a wider range of grocery items. Where there is evidence of anti-competitive conduct among businesses such as price collusion, the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCS) can investigate and take enforcement action against such businesses under the Competition Act. We encourage members of the public to report to CCS, should there be any suspected cases of anti-competitive conduct.”
“The adoption of residential solar installations on private properties has increased more than four times in five years, from around 1,400 in 2020 to around 6,900 in 2025. This has been driven by favourable economics. Solar panel costs have come down over the years and the payback period for rooftop solar can be five years or even shorter. For residential building owners who may be concerned about costs, some solar vendors offer "rent-to-own" models that allow them to enjoy the benefits of solar installation with little to no upfront cost. Some jurisdictions have introduced measures to increase solar adoption, such as making it mandatory for new residential buildings to install solar panels. In Singapore, we have no plans at this stage to mandate solar panel installation on private residential buildings because some of these buildings have other rooftop uses, such as greenery, or their rooftops may not be suited to solar installation due to factors, such as shading from neighbouring buildings. The Government will continue to push for solar deployment in Singapore and will consider additional measures to accelerate solar adoption if there is a need to do so.”
“The most common complaints against car sharing received by the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) are overcharging (27%), lack of transparency in damage assessments and repair costs (18%), and refunds that were delayed or not properly processed (13%). Eighty-eight percent of the complaints were resolved with CASE providing advice to the consumers or through CASE negotiating with the companies on the consumers' behalf. Forty-seven of the remaining complaints are pending. Nineteen cases remain unresolved and CASE will advise consumers to seek independent legal advice, where applicable.”
“Singapore remains a leading global hub for biomedical sciences (BMS). We are home to more than 60 BMS manufacturing plants, including eight of the world's top 10 biopharmaceutical companies1. The outlook remains strong. In 2025, the Economic Development Board attracted S$4.4 billion worth of investments in the BMS sector, which will create 1,775 jobs over the next five years. These investments will strengthen our BMS ecosystem and anchor new capabilities in Singapore. For example, AstraZeneca recently broke ground on a US$1.5 billion end-to-end antibody drug conjugate plant, the first such facility in its global network. The recent plant closures reflect the individual companies' commercial circumstances, rather than a weakening of Singapore's value proposition. We will continue to strengthen our fundamentals while supporting our manufacturers to innovate, raise productivity and adopt advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics.”
“The Government supports initiatives that help consumers compare prices across retailers more easily and encourage a competitive market. The Consumers Association of Singapore is currently assessing the feasibility of including electric vehicle charging rates on Price Kaki.”
“In the past three years, the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCS) and the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) received, on average, under 10 complaints a year on misleading or unfair financing-relating sales practices by car dealers. In addition to the Monetary Authority of Singapore's motor vehicle financing rules, we have other regulatory frameworks and safeguards in place to protect consumers against misleading or unfair sales practices. Under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act (CPFTA), businesses, including car dealers, are expected to provide accurate and reliable information about their goods and services. Consumers who encounter misleading or unfair practices may approach CASE for assistance. The CCS can also take action against businesses which persist in egregious unfair practices. In addition, the Hire-Purchase Act (HPA) protects consumers who enter into hire purchase agreements for cars from unfair terms and hidden costs. For example, the HPA mandates the disclosure of key transaction information, such as the cash price, the applied and effective interest rates, and the total amount payable, so that consumers can make informed decisions. This is also consistent with the provisions under the CPFTA, which require prices and their accompanying conditions to be accurate and clearly communicated to consumers. Furthermore, under the Misrepresentation Act, consumers may rescind a contract and claim damages against the car dealer if they entered into it because of the car dealer's misrepresentation.”
“As medical technology evolves, some conditions can now be treated through less invasive procedures with shorter recovery times. For coverage of these treatments, insurers offer comprehensive or early-stage CI plans, which cover a broader range of procedures. The scope of coverage and cost for these products varies amongst insurers. Consumers can seek financial advice to help determine the level of protection that suits their needs and budget.”
“With constantly advancing medical care, it is natural for policyholders to ask if their existing insurance coverage keeps pace with newer, less invasive procedures. Let me explain how this works for two broad types of health insurance. MediShield Life pays for medically necessary treatments and surgical procedures that are listed in the Ministry of Health's (MOH's) Table of Surgical Procedures (TOSP). MOH regularly updates the TOSP to keep MediShield Life relevant and adjusts the premiums where necessary. Integrated Shield Plans generally align with MediShield Life. Critical illness insurance (CI), works differently. Severe-stage CI policies pay a fixed lump sum when a person is diagnosed with an advanced-stage CI or undergoes a specified major procedure. The Life Insurance Association, Singapore (LIA) regularly updates its standardised severe-stage CI definitions to reflect medical advances. Insurers will adopt LIA's latest definitions when issuing new severe-stage CI policies. Existing policies, however, do not assume the updated LIA definitions, as the updated severe-stage CI definitions and any associated newer procedures and treatments could widen the scope of policy coverage and increase the incidence of claims. Doing so without a corresponding premium adjustment could impact the sustainability of the product. LIA is studying the feasibility of allowing policyholders of existing CI policies to adjust their coverage to include newer treatments with appropriate premium adjustments. As there are complex implications on the actuarial assessment, the study will take time. Meanwhile, I encourage consumers to regularly review the type, coverage and affordability of their health insurance policies in line with their evolving needs.”
“These include enhancing marketing campaigns and working closely with industry partners to develop attractive offers. We remain confident in Singapore's long-term tourism prospects, anchored by our world-class infrastructure and reputation as a safe, reliable and trusted hub. STB will continue to pursue a diverse range of MICE events to secure a robust events pipeline and support the development of best-in-class tourism products, concepts and events. This is to ensure Singapore remains a compelling destination, especially as we continue to pursue high-yield visitors as part of our quality tourism strategy.”
“This reply addresses Parliamentary Questions filed by Mr Edward Chia, Mr Liang Eng Hwa and Mr Ng Shi Xuan. In February 2026, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) announced that it expects international visitor arrivals in 2026 to reach 17 to 18 million, bringing in approximately $31.0 to $32.5 billion in tourism receipts. We are off to a steady start, with Singapore welcoming 4.4 million visitors in the first quarter – a 3% increase from the same period last year. While there have been some postponements, downsizing and cancellations of corporate meetings and conferences, our meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) industry has largely remained resilient. Many major events held recently in Singapore have reported strong numbers. For instance, the Asia Pacific Maritime 2026, which took place in end-March, attracted close to 19,500 trade visitors in its largest-ever edition. Our events pipeline for 2026 to 2027 also remains healthy. Singapore has secured major association conferences, such as Innovate4Climate 2026, and will host inaugural events, including Passenger Terminal Expo Asia 2026 and Innotrans Asia 2027. On the leisure events front, we recently hosted KOOZA by Cirque du Soleil as its exclusive Southeast Asia stop, and we can look forward to upcoming concerts by Post Malone, Guns N' Roses and BTS. We are mindful that the tourism sector could be affected if heightened fuel costs lead to airline capacity cuts and fare increases. As the conflict lengthens, travel propensity among more price-sensitive tourists may weaken, especially against a stronger Singapore dollar. STB is actively adapting its market strategies to respond to these shifting dynamics.”
“The average annual number of registrations and de-registrations of food and beverage sector business entities for the requested periods are in Table 1 below. The Member may wish to refer to the Department of Statistics' website for the annual breakdown: https://tablebuilder.singstat.gov.sg/table/TS/M085641.”
“The SGX Listing Rules and the Code of Corporate Governance (CG Code) set out baseline corporate governance standards for listed companies in Singapore. The CG Code already stipulates that all members of remuneration committees should be non-executive directors. The SGX Listing Rules require companies to comply with this or explain why they are unable to do so. As for remuneration of directors, SGX Listing Rules currently require companies to disclose remuneration paid to each director, including executive directors who are substantial shareholders or their family members. SGX is currently consulting on proposed amendments to sharpen listed companies' focus on shareholder value creation. The proposals include requiring companies to disclose the key performance indicators used to determine the remuneration of executive directors and how these align with long-term shareholder value creation. The Corporate Governance Advisory Committee (CGAC)1 is similarly reviewing the CG Code to enhance governance and disclosure standards and will publicly consult on proposals in due course.”
“This question was addressed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry, the Acting Minister for Transport and Senior Minister of State for Finance, and the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs, in their Ministerial Statements on the Impact of the Middle East Situation on Singapore at the Parliamentary Sitting on 7 April 2026. [Please refer to "Impact of the Middle East Situation on Singapore", Official Report, 7 April 2026, Vol 96, Issue 27, Ministerial Statements section.]”
“We are mindful that the tourism sector could be affected if heightened fuel costs lead to airline capacity cuts and fare increases. As the conflict lengthens, travel propensity among more price-sensitive tourists may weaken, especially against a stronger Singapore dollar. STB is actively adapting its market strategies to respond to these shifting dynamics. These include enhancing marketing campaigns and working closely with industry partners to develop attractive offers. We remain confident in Singapore's long-term tourism prospects, anchored by our world-class infrastructure and reputation as a safe, reliable and trusted hub. STB will continue to pursue a diverse range of MICE events to secure a robust events pipeline and support the development of best-in-class tourism products, concepts and events. This is to ensure Singapore remains a compelling destination, especially as we continue to pursue high-yield visitors as part of our quality tourism strategy.”
“I will take Parliamentary Question 2146 and Parliamentary Question 2213 together. These questions pertain to the Middle East situation and its impact on the tourism sector, including the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) industry. My response today will also cover a related Parliamentary Question (PQ 1502) filed for written answer by Mr Ng Shi Xuan. [Please refer to "Impact of Global Jet Fuel Shortage on Tourism and MICE Industries and Mitigation Measures", Official Report, 6 May 2026, Vol 96, Issue 30, Written Answers to Questions section.] In February 2026, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) announced that it expects international visitor arrivals in 2026 to reach 17 to 18 million, bringing in approximately S$31.0 to S$32.5 billion in tourism receipts. We are off to a steady start, with Singapore welcoming 4.4 million visitors in the first quarter – a 3% increase from the same period last year. While there have been some postponements, downsizing and cancellations of corporate meetings and conferences, our MICE industry has largely remained resilient. Many major events held recently in Singapore have reported strong numbers. For instance, the Asia Pacific Maritime 2026, which took place in end-March, attracted close to 19,500 trade visitors in its largest-ever edition. Our events pipeline for 2026 to 2027 also remains healthy. Singapore has secured major association conferences, such as Innovate4Climate 2026, and will host inaugural events including Passenger Terminal Expo Asia 2026 and Innotrans Asia 2027. On the leisure events front, we recently hosted KOOZA by Cirque du Soleil, as its exclusive Southeast Asia stop, and we can look forward to upcoming concerts by Post Malone, Guns N' Roses and BTS.”
“On 15 April 2026, Japanese prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, announced the US$10 billion Partnership On Wide Energy and Resources Resilience. It is aimed at strengthening energy and supply chain resilience among countries in Asia. Singapore supports this initiative and we are awaiting details from Japan on how it will be operationalised. For now, we understand that Japan will channel its support primarily through Japanese entities, such as the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, the Japan International Cooperation Agency and the Nippon Export and Investment Insurance. Singapore will work with Japan and other trusted partners to strengthen regional resilience against future supply disruptions and facilitate the flow of energy and essential goods.”
“Listed companies are required to have robust processes, data governance and internal controls as well as appropriate board oversight on all their disclosures. Singapore Exchange Regulation's (SGX RegCo's) requirements on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reporting seek to raise the level of accuracy and reliability in three ways. First, listed companies must use the globally accepted GHG Protocol for GHG measurement, which offers well-established, standardised methodologies and guidance for calculating Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions. Second, listed companies must disclose their measurement approaches, inputs and assumptions for calculating their GHG emissions. Third, listed companies must internally review their sustainability reporting processes to strengthen the accuracy and reliability of the disclosures. While the requirement for external assurance will only be implemented in FY2029, listed companies have taken active implementation steps and shown progress in their Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions reporting capabilities. Reporting rates have risen from 50% to 87% for Scope 1, and 61% to 93% for Scope 2, between 2023 and 2025. Listed companies have also been supported by tools and resources that help them report their GHG emissions more accurately, such as the Singapore Emission Factors Registry. The Registry provides over 300 Singapore-specific emission factors consolidated primarily from Government agencies. SGX RegCo will continue to monitor listed companies' disclosures and will take appropriate follow-up action if breaches are found.”
“Government policy does not prohibit the resale of goods and services in Singapore, including that of concert tickets. Rather, the Government's approach is to safeguard consumers from unfair trading practices and scams, including false and misleading claims. The Police step up public education efforts ahead of high-demand concerts with an elevated risk of ticketing scams to warn concertgoers against purchasing fraudulent tickets on secondary resale platforms. The Police have also worked with these platforms to remove resale listings that are suspected scams. We encourage consumers to check the terms and conditions carefully when they buy resale tickets and to validate the legitimacy of the tickets they are about to buy with the official event organisers. The Government is also looking into other solutions to further address concert ticket scams. International experience has shown that anti-botting legislation are difficult to enforce effectively, as bot technologies evolve rapidly to bypass technical and legal barriers, and operators frequently reside outside national jurisdictions. Instead, major ticketing service providers are increasingly adopting technical safeguards, such as virtual waiting rooms, and human verification tools, such as CAPTCHA, to help ensure tickets are purchased by legitimate buyers.”
“The Lease Renewal (LR) application window was previously six years before lease expiry. This was brought forward under the Enhanced Industrial Land Lease Framework to 10 years before lease expiry. Over 400 companies, an increase of approximately 50%, will now be eligible for LRs between 2026 and 2030. JTC has also expanded the definition of Plant and Machinery (P&M) investments, which are required for LR, to recognise auditable investments in innovation, research and development, digitalisation and IP creation. The typical renewal tenure is 20 years. Other than enhancements to the LR process, JTC has offered an additional three years of lease tenure for all new greenfield industrial land allocations since March 2025 to cover businesses' building and development period. About 15 allocations have benefited from this. JTC has also announced a new Flexible Lease Extension Initiative (FLEXI) scheme, which came into effect in January 2026. Although JTC has received early indications of interest from companies, no applications have been received as at end April 2026.”
“As a result of the Middle East conflict, businesses are expected to face higher energy costs for some time. To encourage our businesses to adopt energy efficient equipment, the Government recently announced the expansion of the Energy Efficiency Grant (EEG) Base Tier to all sectors and extended this support for another year, to 31 March 2028. This will enable more businesses to benefit from the EEG and adopt eligible energy-efficient solutions to be more energy resilient and sustainable. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) already receive a higher support level of 70%, with non-SMEs receiving 30% under the current EEG. We will implement the expanded scheme at these grant support levels and monitor the adoption and impact of the EEG Base Tier expansion. Beyond energy efficiency support, the Government has also taken steps to help businesses manage their overall costs. In the immediate term, we have enhanced the Corporate Income Tax rebate announced at Budget 2026 from 40% to 50% for the Year of Assessment 2026. The minimum benefit that an active company with at least one local employee will receive was also raised from $1,500 to $2,000. The total benefit cap for each company was raised from $30,000 to $40,000. The Government will continue to monitor the situation closely and will roll out more support measures for businesses, where necessary.”
“Of the reports filed by consumers with the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) on prepayment losses in 2025, 32% of the cases concerned consumers aged 60 years old and above. They also make up 42% of the total amount of prepayment losses filed. Specifically, for prepayment loss reports filed in the beauty and wellness sector, consumers aged 60 and above make up 35% of the cases, and 31% of the total amount of losses. The percentages are reflective of the proportion of residents aged 60 and above in the total adult resident population of Singapore. The Government has been working closely with CASE to educate and safeguard consumers against prepayment risks. For example, we have worked with CASE to develop industry-specific CaseTrust accreditation schemes, which include the beauty and wellness or renovation sectors. Consumers of CaseTrust-accredited businesses can claim a refund of the unused portion of their prepayments if the accredited business closes under the scheme's mandatory prepayment protection. CASE also organises consumer education events to raise awareness of prepayment risks, including talks catered to elderly consumers. In addition, the Government has convened an independent Consumer Protection Review Panel to review key consumer concerns, including the adequacy of existing protections for high-value package purchases. The Panel is expected to share its findings and recommendations later this year.”
“As a small and open economy that imports most of our essential goods including food and fuel, Singapore is exposed to global supply chain disruptions and upward pressure on our domestic prices caused by the ongoing Middle East crisis. The Committee Against Profiteering was established to review and investigate feedback on unjustified price increases of essential goods and services using the Goods and Services Tax increase as a cover, and to encourage businesses to be transparent and accurate when they communicate the reasons for any price increase to consumers. The Government has adopted a multi-pronged strategy against profiteering. This includes promoting fair competition, diversifying our sources and broadening our economic partnerships and trade agreements, as well as helping consumers make informed decisions through greater price and information transparency. For instance, the Government has worked with the Consumers Association of Singapore to develop Price Kaki, a mobile application that allows consumers to compare the prices of a wide range of cooked food, groceries and other daily essentials across different operators. Where there is evidence of anti-competitive conduct among businesses, such as price collusion, the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore can investigate and take enforcement action against such businesses under the Competition Act. The Government will continue to monitor price changes closely and take further measures, if necessary.”
“In addition, the Government will bring forward the disbursement of the $500 CDC Vouchers announced in Budget this year from January 2027 to June 2026 and also increase the Cost-of-Living Special Payment by $200 for all eligible Singaporeans. The Government is monitoring the Middle East situation closely and stands ready to provide further assistance if necessary.”
“The 2026 forecasts for the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) Core Inflation and CPI-All Items inflation were both revised upwards to 1.5% to 2.5%, from 1.0% to 2.0%, in MAS' Monetary Policy Statement released on 14 April 2026. The main drivers for the upward revision in inflation forecasts are higher projected electricity and town gas and transport-related services inflation due to the sharp increase in global crude oil and natural gas prices triggered by the Middle East conflict. At the same time, the higher global energy costs are expected to raise the costs of a broader range of Singapore's imported goods and services. Consequently, the projected inflation rates for domestic non-cooked food, food services and retail goods have also been revised upwards. The impact of higher inflation will be felt by most households in Singapore. In particular, higher electricity and town gas and food inflation will affect lower- and middle-income households more as these items make up a larger share of their total expenditure. Nonetheless, the impact on their cost of living is expected to be partially offset by the reduced costs of healthcare and education services this year, due to enhancements to the public healthcare and education subsidies introduced in 2025 and early 2026.1 The Government has also put in place enhanced measures to help lower- and middle-income households, as well as more vulnerable groups, cope with rising costs during this period. For instance, the Government will temporarily co-fund the cost increases faced by operators of essential bus services, such as those for school students, seniors and persons with disabilities, so that these services can continue to operate without disruption.”
“The Government has not made any decision on deploying nuclear energy in Singapore. Any decision to deploy new energy technologies will need to be considered against the technology's safety, reliability, affordability and environmental sustainability in Singapore's context. Agencies have commissioned studies to support their analysis of various aspects of nuclear energy deployment. The National Environment Agency recently launched tenders for three studies to examine international safety standards, international environmental standards and regulatory frameworks for nuclear facilities, and environmental considerations for the potential deployment of nuclear energy in Singapore and the region. The Energy Market Authority also commenced a study with Mott MacDonald in September 2025 to evaluate the safety performance and technical feasibility of advanced nuclear energy technologies. We will continue to update the public from time to time, so as to enhance Singaporeans' understanding of nuclear energy, and increase public awareness of the capabilities Singapore is building up to enable us to take a considered decision on whether to deploy nuclear energy.”
“According to the Ministry of Manpower's Labour Market Report 2Q 2024, 67% of employed residents were in local-owned firms as of June 2024.1 A breakdown of employed residents in local-owned firms by revenue bands is not available.”
“This question was addressed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry, the Acting Minister for Transport and Senior Minister of State for Finance, and the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs, in their Ministerial Statements on the Impact of the Middle East Situation on Singapore at the Parliamentary Sitting on 7 April 2026. [Please refer to "Impact of the Middle East Situation on Singapore", Official Report, 7 April 2026, Vol 96, Issue 27, Ministerial Statements section.]”
“Singapore and Hong Kong serve as complementary hubs to our respective regions. For example, our financial services, logistics, innovation and tourism sectors are able to leverage on this dynamic to drive excellence and attract global businesses to Asia. We also encourage initiatives for Hong Kong and Singapore to collaborate. For example, both sides maintain close collaborations through regular official exchanges and business events, like the Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology (SWITCH) and the Hong Kong Start-Up Express Competition. These engagements foster knowledge sharing, facilitate business partnerships and create synergies that expand opportunities for both cities. It is not meaningful to identify sectors as benefiting one side more than the other. The fundamental benefit of global trade is that it lifts all sides. As global fragmentation increases, it is also vital for Singapore and Hong Kong to work together internationally to support the rules-based trading system.”
“For instance, the Government recently announced the expansion of the Energy Efficiency Grant Base Tier, which provides co-funding for pre-approved energy efficient equipment, to all sectors, and extended this support for another year, to 31 March 2028. The Resource Efficiency Grant for Emissions also supports manufacturing facilities and data centres in undertaking projects that improve their energy efficiency and reduce emissions.”
“While the situation in the Middle East has affected supply chains, Singapore has not experienced severe energy disruptions. We have taken steps to reduce risks of disruption to our electricity generation, such as those shared in our Ministerial Statements on the impact of the Middle East situation on 7 April. [Please refer to "Impact of the Middle East Situation on Singapore", Official Report, 7 April 2026, Vol 96, Issue 27, Ministerial Statements section.] That said, all sectors can contribute to our energy resilience through energy conservation. For example, under the Energy Conservation Act (ECA) administered and enforced by the National Environment Agency (NEA), high-energy consumption sectors, such as manufacturing, power, water and waste management must comply with mandatory energy management practices. Companies in these sectors with facilities that consume 54 terajoules or more of energy per year (equivalent to 15 GWh per year) are required to appoint certified energy managers, monitor and report energy use, conduct energy efficiency opportunities assessments, and implement energy efficiency improvement plans. Under the ECA, companies with energy intensive systems, such as water-cooled chilled water systems in industrial facilities, must also comply with mandated Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards. Contravention of ECA requirements will result in penalties, including fines. Since the introduction of the ECA in 2012, companies have achieved energy savings of about 2,700 terajoules (or 750 GWh) per year, which is enough to power approximately 165,000 Housing and Development Board 4-room flats. Beyond regulations, the Government supports companies to invest in and improve their energy efficiency.”
“This question was addressed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry, the Acting Minister for Transport and Senior Minister of State for Finance, and the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs, in their Ministerial Statements on the Impact of the Middle East Situation on Singapore at the Parliamentary Sitting on 7 April 2026. [Please refer to "Impact of the Middle East Situation on Singapore", Official Report, 7 April 2026, Vol 96, Issue 27, Ministerial Statements section.]”
“Under the Consumer Protection (Consumer Goods Safety Requirements) Regulations 2011, all power banks supplied in Singapore must comply with international safety standards, including the International Electrotechnical Commission standards. Under the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore, the Consumer Product Safety Office (CPSO) conducts regular market surveillance to ensure that products sold in the market comply with these requirements. The failure to comply with any directive issued by the CPSO to cease the supply of non-compliant products may result in fines or imprisonment. The Government is currently assessing the requirement for power banks to be listed as a Controlled Good under the Consumer Protection (Safety Requirements) Regulations. If so, all power banks will be subject to additional pre-market registration requirements prior to their sale in Singapore, including the need to affix the SAFETY Mark. It could also necessitate the inclusion of safety instructions and usage precautions to consumers.”
“When inflation moderated recently, we found no indication of profit margins widening in the retail trade and Food and Beverage services sectors. For instance, when Monetary Authority of Singapore Core Inflation eased from 4.2% in 2023 to 2.8% in 2024, gross operating surplus as a share of revenue in the retail trade and food and beverage services sectors declined by 0.52 and 0.03 percentage-points respectively over the same period1. The Government adopts a multi-pronged strategy to mitigate any asymmetric cost pass-through by businesses. This includes promoting fair competition, diversifying our import sources to offer consumers more choices, as well as helping consumers to make informed decisions through greater price and information transparency. For instance, the Government worked with the Consumers Association of Singapore to develop Price Kaki, a mobile application that lets consumers compare the prices of a wide range of cooked food, groceries and other daily essentials across different operators. Should there be evidence of anti-competitive conduct among businesses, such as price collusion, the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore will investigate and take enforcement action against such businesses under the Competition Act.”
“The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCS) regularly monitors developments across sectors to identify potential anti-competitive risks that may affect the efficient functioning of markets in Singapore. In 2008, CCS found that a dominant ticketing company had abused its market position by entering into exclusive arrangements with large venue providers. It took action and directed the company to stop and remove these arrangements. The CCS also imposed financial penalties on the company. Since then, the industry has seen increased competition with multiple ticketing service providers and a variety of venues operated by different entities, as well as a diverse range of event promoters. In recent years, the CCS has not received complaints on competition concerns in the live events and ticketing industry. It will continue to monitor Singapore's ticketing market to ensure it remains competitive and that the live events and concert scene stays vibrant.”
“The Government has engaged supply chain-related businesses through associations from the logistics and land transport sectors associations and trade associations and chambers. The businesses are concerned about rising costs due to the Middle East conflict affecting fuel, raw materials, transport and shipping costs. To help businesses manage their overall costs in the immediate term, we have enhanced the Corporate Income Tax rebate announced at Budget 2026, from 40% to 50%, for the Year of Assessment 2026. The minimum benefit that an active company with at least one local employee will receive is now $2,000, up from $1,500. The total benefit cap for each company has been raised from $30,000 to $40,000. The Government has also recently expanded the Energy Efficiency Grant (EEG) Base Tier to all sectors and extended this support for another year, to 31 March 2028. This will enable more businesses to benefit from the EEG, as they adopt eligible energy efficient solutions to become more energy resilient and sustainable. These measures were announced at the previous Parliament Sitting as part of the Ministerial Statements on the impact of the Middle East conflict. We must be prepared for the effects of the war to persist with a prolonged conflict. The Government will continue to monitor the situation closely and is committed to roll out more support measures for businesses where necessary.”
“We are nonetheless confident in the resilience and adaptability of our companies and will continue to support them as they seek business opportunities in these regions.”
“The Government has implemented a series of initiatives to support our enterprises' foray into emerging markets in Africa and the Middle East. First, we are strengthening our trade architecture. We have an existing Free Trade Agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)1 since 2013 and are exploring free trade agreements with Egypt and the East African Community (EAC)2. Second, Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) and the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) are expanding our presence in these regions. EnterpriseSG has five overseas offices in Africa and the Middle East, namely in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the United Arab Emirates (UAE), South Africa, Kenya and Ghana. SBF launched the Singapore Enterprise Centre in Dubai in November, which is SBF's first overseas office in the Middle East. SBF is also planning a tentative business mission to Tanzania this year. Third, we have enhanced support for Singapore companies to enter overseas markets. We have increased the Market Readiness Assistance Grant (MRA) support levels from 50% to 70% for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and 30% to 50% for non-SMEs from 1 April 2026. From second half of 2026, under EnterpriseSG's new Enterprise Development Grant for Growth and Excellence, we will also remove the "new market" criterion for activities supported under MRA, so enterprises can also deepen their presence in overseas markets. We also removed the maximum facility-level loan caps for the Enterprise Financing Scheme-Trade Loan and SME Fixed Assets Loan to better meet companies' financing needs for internationalisation. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has introduced significant geopolitical uncertainties.”
“This question was addressed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry, the Acting Minister for Transport and Senior Minister of State for Finance, and the Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs, in their Ministerial Statements on the Impact of the Middle East Situation on Singapore at the Parliamentary Sitting on 7 April 2026. [Please refer to "Impact of the Middle East Situation on Singapore", Official Report, 7 April 2026, Vol 96, Issue 27, Ministerial Statements section.]”
“The space sector offers multiple pathways for Singaporeans to build meaningful careers and welcomes graduates trained in different disciplines, such as electrical and mechanical engineering, computer engineering, computer science and data science. Mid-career professionals with experience in adjacent industries, such as aerospace, microelectronics, precision engineering and artificial intelligence, can contribute significantly to the space sector. They can reskill or upskill through existing continuing education and training courses, such as in satellite technologies, space mission design and space environment testing, offered by our institutes of higher learning (IHLs) and supported by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG). They can also access skills and career advisory services offered by Workforce Singapore (WSG) and SSG. In addition, companies can tap on existing training grants and subsidies to reskill mid-career hires into new job roles. The National Space Agency of Singapore will continue to work with WSG and SSG, our IHLs and industry partners to explore how we can further support the mid-career transition of individuals and build relevant capabilities for the sector.”