Association of Trade and Commerce (ATC) Welcomes Key Budget 2026 Initiatives to Strengthen Business Competitiveness, AI Adoption and Internationalisation
SINGAPORE, 12 February 2026 - The Association of Trade and Commerce (ATC) welcomes the Government’s unveiling of Budget
2026, announced today by Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Mr Lawrence Wong in
Parliament that sets out a broad agenda to enhance economic resilience and boost enterprise
competitiveness in a changing global environment.
Budget 2026 centers on refreshing Singapore’s economic strategy, harnessing innovation with
key emphasis on the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI), strengthening workforce
capabilities and advancing sustainability.
Strengthening Business Competitiveness and Internationalisation
Budget 2026 introduces targeted measures to help enterprises manage rising operating costs
while positioning them for global growth. Enhanced corporate support and expanded enterprise
financing will improve access to capital and strengthen cash flow resilience, particularly for
SMEs navigating global markets.
Additional support for overseas expansion and internationalisation will enable our local
enterprises to explore new markets, build partnerships and scale beyond domestic borders,
reinforcing Singapore’s position as a hub for globally competitive enterprises.
National AI and Innovation
A key pillar of Budget 2026 is the acceleration of AI and innovation adoption across
industries. The establishment of a national framework to guide AI development signals
Singapore’s long-term commitment to digital transformation and advanced capabilities.
Enterprises will benefit from structured support to adopt AI solutions, enhance productivity
and modernise operations while workforce training initiatives will equip employees with
future-ready digital skills.
Workforce and Employment Support
Budget 2026 strengthens workforce resilience through expanded skills development, wage support
and employment transition programmes. The extension of Progressive Wage Credit Scheme (PWCS)
and the skills development and workforce transition support initiatives will encourage
businesses to invest in employee upskilling and productivity improvements.
As Singapore navigates evolving competitive business dynamics, Budget 2026 reflects a proactive
approach to strengthen enterprise capabilities and positioning the economy for future
growth.
ATC welcomes the enhanced support measures for business, particularly on internationalisation,
AI adoption and workforce development. These priorities closely reflect the feedback shared by
enterprises with us over the past months, where businesses consistently highlighted the need
for stronger support.
Budget 2026 focused on these areas signals a forward-looking approach that aligns with the
evolving needs of Singapore’s business community, and ATC looks forward to working closely
with our enterprises, agencies and advocacy partners to translate these initiatives into
support on the ground.
About the Association of Trade and Commerce (ATC)
The Association of Trade and Commerce (ATC) is a business association dedicated to advocating and representing the interests of Singapore’s enterprises across diverse industries and trade sectors. As an enterprise-centric and community-based organisation, ATC actively advocates for the growth and development of businesses, focusing on key pillars such as capability building, transformation, globalisation, and community engagement.
ATC is committed to fostering a pro-enterprise trade environment in Singapore. We engage closely with the business community, as well as private and public sector partners, to design and implement relevant programmes that supports enterprises to innovate, transform, and expand internationally. As a trusted advocate, strategic partner, and dynamic network, ATC plays a pivotal role in enabling enterprises to thrive in an evolving economic landscape.
For more information on this media release, please contact ATC's corporate communications divison at comms@atc.sg