SINGAPORE, May 28 (Xinhua) -- Singaporean businesses' outlook in the first quarter of 2025 has weakened considerably from the previous quarter, amid persistent global economic uncertainty, according to a report released Wednesday by the Singapore Business Federation.
The proportion of businesses anticipating worsening economic conditions over the next 12 months nearly doubled, rising from 22 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024 to 40 percent in the first quarter of this year, the report said.
Among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the share expecting a downturn increased from 23 percent to 41 percent. Large companies showed a similar trend, with the figure climbing from 18 percent to 38 percent.
Sector-wise, businesses in hotels, restaurants and accommodations, health and social services, as well as retail trade, were especially downbeat about the year ahead.
The findings are based on a survey conducted between March 27 and April 21, which drew responses from 526 companies spanning all major sectors. SMEs accounted for 83 percent of the participants.
"The weakened outlook reflects the increasingly uncertain operating environment facing businesses," said Kok Ping Soon, chief executive officer of the federation. He added that firms may now require larger financing lines and longer financing terms to manage the fallout from recent U.S. tariff measures. ■
