BT Money Hacks: How Budget 2025 can shape your investment strategy

Budget 2025 was announced in February. How much will Budget 2025 go towards alleviating commercial concerns and where are the investment opportunities for us?

In the latest episode of Money Hacks by The Business Times, host Howie Lim is joined by Christopher Gee, deputy director at the Institute of Policy Studies at NUS and Yong Jiahao, partner, IGH & manufacturing, tax KPMG in Singapore providing insight into just that.

Key Budget 2025 measures

Several key measures in Budget 2025 are highlighted. These include a corporate income tax rebate, investments in innovation, technology, and talent development, and significant funds dedicated to industries like aviation, biotech, and semiconductors. 

Gee explains that Budget 2025 introduced a corporate income tax rebate, providing a 50 per cent rebate for all companies with at least one local resident employee. This rebate marks a significant effort by the government to support large as well as small and medium-sized enterprises (SME).

Focus on innovation

Yong discusses the government’s commitment to fostering innovation, technology, and talent development through key measures like the S$3 billion National Productivity Fund and S$1 billion investment in R&D infrastructure. These investments are designed to boost the aviation, biotech, and semiconductor industries.

Gee and Yong delve into measures to revitalise the Singapore stock market (SGX). From investments in infrastructure and industry-specific initiatives to addressing historical challenges like liquidity and valuation - providing insights into how these measures aim to boost investor confidence and stimulate growth.

Eye on AI

The discussion also touches on the government’s S$150 million Enterprise Compute Initiative to help companies partner with cloud services for customised AI solutions. Yong highlights the importance of business collaboration with trade associations to adapt to AI advancements.

Lim asks about the effectiveness of the SkillsFuture programme in helping companies adapt their workforce to meet shifting global economic demands entering into a discussion with her guests about the latest measures designed to provide more assistance to upskill.

It‘s not easy being green

Although Budget 2025 might not have heavily focused on green initiatives, Gee highlights ongoing efforts such as the carbon tax and Future Energy Fund. These efforts aim to incentivise businesses and individuals to adopt more sustainable practices.

Join Howie Lim, Christopher Gee, and Yong Jiahao for an in-depth discussion of Budget 2025 to better understand potential investment opportunities based on the new measures and initiatives that will affect businesses, investors, and the workforce in Singapore.

The Money Hacks podcast offers reliable and engaging conversations with expert insights, actionable advice and a focus on current events - each episode is designed to help you navigate your financial journey. If you have feedback or story ideas for us please email btpodcasts@sph.com.sg.

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Written and hosted by: Howie Lim (howielim@sph.com.sg)

With Christopher Gee, deputy director at the Institute of Policy Studies at NUS and Yong Jiahao, partner, IGH & manufacturing, tax, KPMG in Singapore

Edited by: Howie Lim & Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: Howie Lim & Chai Pei Chieh

A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

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