The Business Times
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Janice Heng

Janice Heng

DEPUTY NEWS EDITOR

Janice Heng is BT’s deputy news editor for macroeconomics and SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises). She also covers Singapore politics and writes the monthly Barfly column, which profiles local craft cocktail bars.

emailjaniceh@sph.com.sg
email@JaniceHengBT
Beyond policies that make business exits easier, Singapore needs a mindset change that makes them more acceptable.
THINKING ALOUD

Economic Strategy Review makes a case not just for staying the course, but also knowing when to quit

Under certain proposals, companies need to know when to wind up, and some workers may need to accept lower pay

The Iran crisis has shown how disruptions can cascade through the global economy, affecting energy markets and shipping routes, among others, says DPM Gan.

Economic Strategy Review: Taking ‘bold bets’, building energy resilience among final recommendations

Of 32 proposals to the Singapore government, the newest are related to energy and supply chain resilience

Building energy resilience is one of four recommendations under a new section in the ESR's final report.
COMMENTARY

Economic Strategy Review: New section on resilience underscores the stormier world that Singapore faces

Its midterm report came before the Iran war; the final recommendations clearly take the conflict into account

NTUC secretary-general Ng Chee Meng, speaking at the May Day Rally on May 1, said: “The world around us has shifted and has become more unstable than ever – and our workers, blue and white collars, are feeling it.”

May Day Rally: NTUC to commit S$37 million in 2026 to help workers with everyday needs

The amount will go to funds for childcare and eldercare support, among others, says labour chief Ng Chee Meng

In a landscape of mega-brands and massive chains, it is also independent micro-SMEs that give a city its character.
THINKING ALOUD

In defence of dreaming small: micro-SMEs in the modern city

Singapore needs to nurture local champions for the global stage – but can afford to have some that stay home, too

The incidence of overqualification was high for fields such as fine and applied arts; mass communication and information science; and humanities and social sciences.

Business & administration graduates form largest share of overqualified workers: MOM

This is due to high intake for such courses, says the ministry in a new study

Those aged below 30 account for the largest share of overqualification.

More workers in Singapore opt for jobs for which they are overqualified: MOM, NTUC studies

Workers take up jobs that do not fully use their qualifications for reasons such as stability, flexible hours

If the Iran war drives up food import prices, consumers should start looking closer to home.
COMMENTARY

‘Never waste a crisis’: Putting Iran war price pressures to good use

If higher fuel and energy prices drive lasting behavioural change, Singapore will be better off in the long run

If the conflict is protracted, higher inflation in Singapore's source markets could also lead to further increases in import prices, says DPM Gan Kim Yong.

Iran war to hurt Singapore’s growth and drive inflation higher; forecasts to be revised: Gan

Beyond the energy and chemicals sector, higher costs will hurt wider manufacturing, transport and travel, as well as domestic services

In the face of prolonged price pressures, households and businesses can do their part by saving energy.
COMMENTARY

With Iran war’s cost impact just beginning, Singapore must take energy saving seriously

Energy authority’s warning should prompt behavioural change, not merely calls for support

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