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SINGAPORE’S companies can expect help in Budget 2025 – but not necessarily short-term goodies such as those that individuals might get in an election Budget, said observers.

Rather, companies may get support to boost their competitiveness in a challenging environment. Apart from workforce-related help, there could be new or enhanced schemes for digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, sustainability and internationalisation.

These are some “evergreen thrusts” that OCBC chief economist Selena Ling expects Budget 2025 to maintain.

Similarly, Maybank economist Brian Lee noted: “Longer-term measures to strengthen businesses’ competitiveness and invest in future-ready areas have been a perennial feature of Singapore’s Budgets.”

Though perennial, these efforts are especially important in an uncertain world, with US President Donald Trump possibly introducing growth-hurting tariffs.