SINGAPORE BUDGET 2026

Budget 2026: S$1.5 billion top-up to expand EQDP; EDB to attract high-growth companies

This will ‘create more opportunities for Singaporeans to secure good jobs and grow their careers’, says PM Wong

Summarise

Add BT as a preferred source

Tan Nai Lun

Published Thu, Feb 12, 2026 · 03:52 PM

阅读简体中文版 (beta)

As part of the EQDP, MAS has allocated close to S$4 billion to nine asset managers so far. PHOTO: YEN MENG JIIN, BT

DeeperDive is a beta AI feature. Refer to full articles for the facts.

Follow The Business Times’ live coverage of Singapore’s Budget 2026 here

[SINGAPORE] Singapore will top up S$1.5 billion to the Financial Sector Development Fund, as part of its efforts to boost the local equities market, said Finance Minister Lawrence Wong in his Budget speech in Parliament on Thursday (Feb 12).

As part of the Equity Market Development Programme (EQDP), the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has allocated close to S$4 billion to nine asset managers so far.

Singapore is also implementing the other recommendations of MAS’ market review group.

These include the streamlining of listing rules and requirements to go public, and establishing a dual-listing bridge between the Singapore Exchange and Nasdaq.

“These measures will enhance the depth and vibrancy of our public equities market and provide more pathways for enterprises to grow and scale from Singapore,” said Wong, who is also prime minister.

MORE ON BUDGET 2026

Visit our Budget 2026 site for more stories and analyses.

Explore Now

Singapore also needs a strong pipeline of high-quality companies, which can either be locally grown or promising enterprises from abroad, he added.

On this front, the Economic Development Board (EDB) will step up efforts to attract high-growth companies with the potential to become future industry leaders.

EDB has traditionally focused its investment promotion efforts on multinational enterprises, PM Wong noted.

Budget 2026 highlights: AI ‘champions’, foreign worker policy tweaks, more CDC vouchers

Corporate income tax collections were a key driver of FY2025's higher-than-expected revenue.

Budget 2026: FY2025 surplus revised up to record S$15.1 billion, more than double the estimate

Driving the increase in total expenditure is the Ministry of Trade and Industry, whose outlay in FY2026 is expected to rise by S$4.5 billion – or 68.5 per cent – to S$11.1 billion.

Budget 2026: Singapore expects smaller S$8.5 billion surplus in FY2026, in line with economists’ expectations

Singapore can expect higher corporate tax collections from the 2027 financial year onwards.

Budget 2026: Singapore to proceed with BEPS Pillar Two top-up tax; corporate revenues to rise

The move comes as electric vehicles become more common, and the need to encourage early deregistration through the Parf rebate is reduced.

Budget 2026: 45pp lower Parf rebate for cars; tobacco excise duty raised 20%

The country is also committed to achieving 100% cleaner-energy vehicles and pursuing greening efforts in aviation and shipping.

Budget 2026: Singapore raises solar deployment target to 3 GWp by 2030

Singapore already has the highest carbon tax rate in the whole of Asia.

Budget 2026: Carbon tax could be at ‘lower end’ of S$50 to S$80 range if climate momentum weakens

The grant and scheme will be extended to help firms invest in energy-efficient and sustainable solutions.

Budget 2026: Singapore extends Energy Efficiency Grant; green loans under Enterprise Financing Scheme

Attackers often exploit smaller or less-protected companies to gain access to larger systems, but many companies lack the resources or expertise to handle advanced cyberthreats, PM Wong notes.

Budget 2026: Security-related spending expected to rise in coming years

The special payment, to be disbursed in September, will range from S$200 to S$400 in cash and be paid to about 2.4 million adult Singaporeans.

Budget 2026: S$500 in CDC vouchers, up to S$400 special payment to ease cost pressures

CPF Board will launch simplified low-cost portfolios based on a glide path mechanism that gradually de-risks the portfolio as members near retirement.

Budget 2026: CPF to roll out life-cycle portfolios for those willing to take some risks for higher returns

Singapore will also top up the Long-Term Care Support Fund by S$400 million to fund additional subsidies.

Budget 2026: Up to S$1,500 CPF top-up for seniors, higher contribution rates for older workers

There will be no adjustments for the levy rate of higher-skilled Work Permit holders.

Budget 2026: Levy for basic-skilled Work Permit holders to increase by S$100 for marine sector, S$150 for process sector

For new EP applicants, the qualifying salary will increase to S$6,000 from S$5,600.

Budget 2026: Singapore to raise EP and S Pass qualifying salaries from 2027

The Ministry of Manpower is set to release recommendations from its Tripartite Workgroup on Senior Employment later this year.

Budget 2026: Singapore extends Senior Employment Credit to end-2027

The new agency will enable “more seamless end-to-end career and employment services for Singaporean workers”, note MOM and MOE.

Budget 2026: SkillsFuture Singapore, Workforce Singapore to be merged into new statutory board

Progressive Wage Credit Scheme co-funding support for 2026 will rise to 30 per cent, from 20 per cent.

Budget 2026: Local qualifying salary to rise to S$1,800 for full-time employees this year

Budget 2026 is the first since last year’s General Election, and the first in this term of government.

Budget 2026: More AI learning support for workers, including free premium tools

Singapore will also build a larger AI park at one-north to catalyse ideas, forge collaborations and translate AI initiatives into practical solutions.

Budget 2026: Tailored programmes, tax deductions to support AI use in businesses; bigger AI park to be built at one-north

Each AI Mission will be anchored in clear objectives and tangible outcomes.

Budget 2026: Singapore to establish National AI Council chaired by PM Wong, launch national AI missions

AI is advancing at a remarkable pace, bringing with it "deep concerns", says PM Wong. But fear cannot be Singapore's response, he cautions.

Budget 2026: AI can be ‘strategic advantage’ for Singapore if harnessed well

As part of the EQDP, MAS has allocated close to S$4 billion to nine asset managers so far.

Budget 2026: S$1.5 billion top-up to expand EQDP; EDB to attract high-growth companies

"When enterprises are ready to list, we want them to see Singapore as their listing venue of choice," says Finance Minister Lawrence Wong.

Budget 2026: Singapore to support startups with S$1 billion top-up for Startup SG Equity

More support for companies pursuing significant overseas ventures that require higher capital outlay will be introduced.

Budget 2026: More grants, tax breaks and loans to support overseas expansion for businesses

Singapore will step up engagement with fast-growing markets including in Latin America, Africa and the Middle East.

Budget 2026: Singapore needs to connect differently in changed global environment

Eligible companies will automatically receive the benefits from the second quarter of the 2026 calendar year onwards.

Budget 2026: Companies to get 40% corporate income tax rebate in YA2026

Budget 2026: Singapore to move forward with confidence despite ‘profound global change’, says PM Wong

Anchoring such companies early will enable new engines of growth and capture greater value for the economy as they grow and expand from Singapore.

“Importantly, this will create more opportunities for Singaporeans to secure good jobs and grow their careers,” he added.

For more of BT’s Budget 2026 coverage, go to bt.sg/budget26

Decoding Asia newsletter: your guide to navigating Asia in a new global order. Sign up here to get Decoding Asia newsletter. Delivered to your inbox. Free.

Singapore Budget 2026 Equity market development programme EDB Monetary Authority of Singapore Singapore equities

Reuse this content Feedback

TRENDING NOW

In this economy, the smartest bets might no longer be sitting an ocean away, but are waiting right here at home.

‘Boring’ is the new black: The stars are aligning for a Singapore stock market revival

Sales have rebounded in March after the year-end lull and seasonal Chinese New Year pullback.

Near sell-out launches in March boost developer sales to 1,300 units after four slow months

US President Donald Trump (left) with Chinese President Xi Jinping at a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Apec summit in Busan last October.

China pips the US if Asean is forced to choose, but analysts warn against reading it like a sports result

Lim's pay package includes about S$3.6 million as salary and around S$3.9 million as bonus, indicates the company's annual report.

Genting Singapore’s Lim Kok Thay receives S$7.5 million pay package for FY2025