Singapore businesses, asked what they would like to see laid out in this year's Budget, have cited bread-and-butter concerns, though some also trained their sights on longer-term issues such as sustainability and support for local brands.SINGAPORE businesses, asked what they would like to see laid out in this year's Budget, have cited bread-and-butter concerns, though some also trained their sights on longer-term issues such as sustainability and support for local brands.
But several companies that The Business Times spoke to did acknowledge the importance of policy moves that will pay off in the longer term, such as stronger advocacy for local businesses. Vincent Lim, chief executive of BH Global, which provides technical services to the offshore and marine sector, expressed hope that the government would give local small and mid-sized enterprises and their products a chance in project tenders.
Goh Tee Swee, the company's finance director said:"When a private organisation promotes something, people think they're trying to make a sale. But if it comes from a government agency, it is taken as information. Awareness comes more easily that way." Some SMEs that BT spoke to called for a review of the foreign worker policy, even though the government has not budged on its stance in the past few years.Ong Boon Huat, chairman of MCI Career Services, said the government has built a conducive business environment, but firms - his included - are finding it tough to hire enough people to fuel their business growth.
The quota could be below 5 per cent of the total workforce, the company suggested. Levies could also be lower, at S$150 per person a month.