Singapore businesses turn optimistic

Singapore

FIRMS in both the services and manufacturing sectors have turned positive about business prospects for the next six months, official surveys say. But the majority still expect conditions in the next six months to remain unchanged.

Of the more than 400 manufacturers polled by the Economic Development Board (EDB) between March and April, 13 per cent expect the business climate to improve - outnumbering the 8 per cent that expect it to deteriorate. The rest do not expect any change. Things are thus looking up, with a positive net weighted balance - the difference between the proportion of optimistic and pessimistic - of 5 per cent of manufacturers, turning around from negative 3 per cent a quarter earlier.