Budget 2025 – 4 Key Highlights to Strengthen Our Enterprise Ecosystem
Singapore is advancing its enterprise ecosystem with fresh initiatives announced in Budget 2025 to support startups, businesses, and market competitiveness.
Key highlights include:
- Scaling Up Enterprises:
．Increased support for local enterprises to expand globally through extended internationalisation and mergers & acquisitions schemes.
1) Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) Grant: Enhanced cap of $100,000 per new market extended till 31 March 2026.
2) Double Tax Deduction for Internationalisation (DTDi) Scheme: Extended till 31 December 2030.
3) Enterprise Financing Scheme (EFS):
a. Trade Loan maximum quantum permanently increased from $5 million to $10 million.
b. Mergers & Acquisitions Loan scope expanded to support asset acquisitions from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2030.
4) Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) Scheme: Extended till 31 December 2030.
．Launch of the Global Founder Programme by EDB to attract global entrepreneurs to establish and grow their ventures in Singapore.
2. Embracing Technology & AI:
．Up to $150 million allocated for the Enterprise Compute Initiative, helping businesses integrate tailored AI solutions and access advanced computing power.
．Continued support for SMEs to adopt digital solutions through schemes like the Productivity Solutions Grant and SMEs Go Digital.
3. Boosting Financing Options:
．Introduction of a $1 billion Private Credit Growth Fund to offer innovative financing solutions for high-growth local enterprises.
．Deployment of government-backed investment funds as patient capital with longer investment horizons to support enterprises with extended growth trajectories.
4. Enhancing Capital Markets:
．New tax incentives for Singapore-based companies and fund managers to encourage local listings and investments in Singapore-listed equities.
．Recommendations from the Equities Market Review Group accepted to improve the attractiveness of the Singapore Stock Exchange.
These measures aim to empower Singapore businesses to scale up, embrace AI-driven growth, and secure capital more effectively, positioning Singapore as a hub for leading enterprises of the future.
