Improving global economy boosts sentiment

Singapore

BUSINESSES across both the manufacturing and services sectors have turned more optimistic, as better global economic conditions boost the prospects of firms from electronics and precision engineering, to the transport and finance sectors. Government surveys of the two sectors, conducted in March and April, show that businesses optimistic about the six months till September outnumbered those who are pessimistic.

Of the more than 400 manufacturers polled by the Economic Development Board (EDB), a weighted 12 per cent expect better business conditions from April to September, compared to first quarter of this year, while a weighted 5 per cent think conditions may deteriorate.