Low Youjin

Low Youjin

CORRESPONDENT

Low Youjin is a correspondent at The Business Times where he covers Singapore macroeconomics, labour, and manpower policies.

As a highly open and trade-dependent economy, Singapore feels energy shocks quickly through higher logistics costs, price volatility and supply chain disruptions.

Iran war: Singapore likely to roll out targeted support in Parliament as energy costs rise

Support is likely to be targeted given the uneven impact of rising costs, say observers

Singapore’s position as a transhipment and logistics hub may come under strain, with stricter rules likely to raise compliance costs and divert trade flows.

One year of Trump tariffs: What has changed and what’s next for South-east Asia?

The levies are reshaping supply chains and driving structural shifts, but the full impact is still to come

A Shiseido livestream session in a TikTok Shop booth is seen at an event where SRA, TikTok Shop and WSG signed an MOU to develop training programmes for social commerce.

Retailers go live as industry body, TikTok Shop, WSG launch training push

Singapore Retailers Association president Ernie Koh says government funding will subsidise course fees

Employers are prioritising candidates who can add immediate value or bring highly specialised skills, Robert Walters Singapore's Kirsty Poltock says.

Singapore firms more selective in hiring as Iran war adds to cost pressures

Recruitment remains steady for now, but recruiters say roles are taking longer to fill

MOM says that the share of newly created roles suggests "that labour demand continued to be supported by business expansion rather than replacement hiring alone".

Singapore labour demand shifts to growth sectors such as tech; new roles make up nearly half of vacancies in 2025

Sectors with higher-than-average shares of new roles include information and communications and professional services

ESR committee on global competitiveness co-chair Jeffrey Siow says the trust premium is important because Singapore companies often have to venture abroad earlier than firms in larger economies.

Singapore’s ‘trust premium’ gives SMEs the edge overseas

Speakers at the BT Budget Roundtable say that companies must take a deliberate approach to overseas expansion

MOH says advances in medical science mean some preventive treatments for high-risk patients are now considered medically necessary.
SINGAPORE BUDGET 2026

Budget 2026: MOH to extend MediShield Life to selected preventive surgeries, revamp MediSave scheme

An AI tool to help doctors flag Healthier SG enrollees at high risk of chronic disease will also be rolled out

One Pass (AI and Tech) aims to attract those who can build companies and strengthen Singapore’s ecosystem by transferring cutting-edge expertise to the local workforce.
SINGAPORE BUDGET 2026

Budget 2026: Singapore faces stiff competition for talent, despite draws of new AI and tech-focused One Pass

The visa track offers greater career certainty, and Republic’s stability strengthens its appeal to global talent

The new One Pass (AI and Tech) work permit will replace the existing Tech.Pass scheme.
SINGAPORE BUDGET 2026

Budget 2026: AI-focused One Pass to lure top tech talent; airlines can hire cabin crew from more countries

One Pass (AI and Tech) applicants may qualify using a mix of cash and stock-based compensation

Twelve Cupcakes is a recent example of an employer that did not give workers or their unions advance notice of retrenchment.
SINGAPORE BUDGET 2026

Mandatory early layoff alerts may hasten layoffs, impede talks: Tan See Leng

A review of the retrenchment notification framework is underway