The Leading Professional and Representative Body for the Real Estate Industry

The Leading Professional and Representative Body for the Real Estate Industry

DAILY NEWS

 

Daily News 19 February 2025 (Wed)

Singapore Budget 2025

 

Singapore Budget 2025

Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Mr Lawrence Wong, delivered Singapore’s FY2025 Budget Statement on 18 February 2025, in Parliament.

https://www.mof.gov.sg/singaporebudget

 

Budget 2025 highlights: From SG60 goodies to investments for growth

Budget 2025 tackled cost pressures facing households and businesses, while laying out long-term plans to spur growth, help vulnerable segments of society and support future infrastructure. Here are nine key announcements by Finance Minister Lawrence Wong on Tuesday (Feb 18), in his first Budget speech as prime minister.

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/singapore/budget-2025-highlights-sg60-goodies-investments-growth

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore-budget-2025-live-pm-wong

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/budget-2025-sg60-cdc-vouchers-large-families-children-low-income-4944736

 

Budget 2025: Singapore expects S$6.8 billion surplus in FY2025, contrary to economists’ deficit predictions

Singapore expects a fiscal surplus of S$6.8 billion or 0.9 per cent of gross domestic product for the 2025 financial year, despite a generous spending plan in which the government’s total expenditure will exceed operating revenue.

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/singapore/budget-2025-singapore-expects-s6-8-billion-surplus-fy2025-contrary-economists-deficit-predictions

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/budget-2025-govt-revenue-in-fy2024-lifted-by-various-taxes-clocks-6-4bn-surplus

https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/singapore/story20250218-5894446

 

Budget 2025: Corporate income tax rebate, enhanced Progressive Wage Credit Scheme for businesses

The Singapore government will introduce a 50 per cent corporate income tax rebate in the year of assessment 2025, said Finance Minister Lawrence Wong in his Budget speech on Tuesday (Feb 18). This will support the cash flow needs of companies as they adjust to structurally higher costs, said Wong, who is also the prime minister.

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/singapore/budget-2025-corporate-income-tax-rebate-enhanced-progressive-wage-credit-scheme-businesses

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/budget-2025-corporate-tax-rebate-enhanced-wage-support-to-cut-costs-for-businesses

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/budget-2025-corporate-income-tax-progressive-wages-4944546

https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/singapore/story20250218-5893993

 

Budget 2025: Tax incentives to beef up equities market could have ‘limited impact’, say industry experts

Singapore will attract companies and fund managers to the local bourse with tax incentives, but industry watchers cautioned that these could have limited impact.

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/singapore/budget-2025-tax-incentives-beef-equities-market-could-have-limited-impact-say-industry-experts

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/budget-2025-tax-incentives-to-get-more-companies-fund-managers-to-list-on-sgx

https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/singapore/story20250218-5893743

 

Budget 2025: Tax Changes and Enterprise Disbursements

https://www.iras.gov.sg/news-events/singapore-budget/budget-2025–tax-changes-and-enterprise-disbursements

 

Budget 2025: Higher CPF contribution rates for older workers, extended Senior Employment Credit

The Singapore government will increase CPF contribution rates for those aged above 55 to 65 by 1.5 percentage points in 2026, said Finance Minister Lawrence Wong in his Budget speech on Tuesday (Feb 18).

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/singapore/budget-2025-higher-cpf-contribution-rates-older-workers-extended-senior-employment-credit

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/budget-2025-cpf-contribution-rate-for-older-workers-to-increase-by-1-5-percentage-points-from-2026

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/cpf-contribution-rates-older-workers-budget-2025-4944541

https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/singapore/story20250218-5894147

 

Budget 2025: New workforce development grant to provide higher funding, more SkillsFuture credit for staff training

A new SkillsFuture Workforce Development Grant will provide higher funding support of up to 70 per cent for job redesign activities, said Finance Minister Lawrence Wong on Tuesday (Feb 18). The new grant will bring existing Workforce Singapore and SkillsFuture schemes together and simplify the application process for companies.

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/singapore/budget-2025-new-workforce-development-grant-provide-higher-funding-more-skillsfuture-credit-staff

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/budget-2025-spore-companies-to-receive-more-funding-support-to-train-workers

https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/singapore/story20250218-5894135

 

Budget 2025: Workfare Skills Support to be enhanced for lower-wage workers; IHLs to be developed

The Workfare Skills Support (WSS) scheme for lower-wage workers will be enhanced to provide workers with longer-form courses that provide more substantive reskilling and upskilling, said Finance Minister Lawrence Wong on Tuesday (Feb 18).

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/singapore/budget-2025-workfare-skills-support-be-enhanced-lower-wage-workers-ihls-be-developed

 

Budget 2025: Additional $5 billion injected into Coastal and Flood Protection Fund

Another $5 billion will be injected into the Coastal and Flood Protection Fund, which was set up in 2020 to protect Singapore against rising sea levels and enhance flood resilience.

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/budget-2025-additional-5-billion-injected-into-coastal-and-flood-protection-fund

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/singapore/budget-2025-s5-billion-injection-coastal-and-flood-protection-fund

https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/singapore/story20250218-5893944

 

Budget 2025: Changi Airport Development Fund to get S$5 billion amid Terminal 5 plans

The Changi Airport Development Fund used to develop Singapore’s air hub will receive a top-up of S$5 billion as the airport moves to build Terminal 5, said Finance Minister Lawrence Wong on Tuesday (Feb 18).

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/singapore/budget-2025-changi-airport-development-fund-get-s5-billion-amid-terminal-5-plans

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/budget-2025-5b-added-to-fund-for-airport-expansion-projects-including-changi-airport-t5

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/budget-2025-changi-airport-5-billion-economic-growth-4944501

 

Budget 2025: Government to pay ‘close attention’ to public housing as HDB launches over 50,000 new flats over next three years

The government will continue to pay close attention to public housing, following its moves to ramp up its Build-to-Order (BTO) supply over the next few years, said Finance Minister Lawrence Wong on Tuesday (Feb 18).

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/singapore/budget-2025-government-pay-close-attention-public-housing-hdb-launches-over-50000-new-flats-over

https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/singapore/story20250218-5893977

 

Budget 2025: Eligible families in rental flats to get higher grant of $75,000 for BTO purchase

Families with children living in rental flats will get a higher grant when they buy a two-room flexi or three-room Build-To-Order (BTO) flat, while eligible families who are first-time home buyers will be allowed to purchase shorter-lease flats.

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/budget-2025-eligible-families-in-rental-flats-to-get-higher-grant-of-75000-for-bto-purchase

https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/singapore/story20250218-5894851

 

Budget 2025: S$300 monthly allowance for mid-career workers taking up part-time courses

A SkillsFuture initiative that provides an allowance to mid-career workers aged 40 and above taking up training courses will be expanded to include part-time programmes.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/300-monthly-allowance-part-time-courses-midcareer-workers-skillsfuture-budget2025-4944416

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/budget-2025-300-monthly-allowance-for-workers-on-part-time-training-suss-to-have-new-city-campus

https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/singapore/story20250218-5894055

 

Budget 2025: Up to S$800 in SG60 vouchers; 60% income tax rebate

The Singapore government will give SG60 Vouchers to all Singaporeans aged 21 and above, as part of a package in celebration of Singapore’s 60th birthday, said Finance Minister Lawrence Wong in his Budget speech on Tuesday (Feb 18).

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/singapore/budget-2025-s800-sg60-vouchers-60-income-tax-rebate

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/budget-2025-600-sg60-vouchers-for-citizens-aged-21-to-59-800-for-those-aged-60-and-above

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/sg60-vouchers-baby-gift-income-tax-rebate-budget-2025-4944576

https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/singapore/story20250218-5894075

https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3299132/cash-vouchers-utilities-rebates-singapore-pm-lawrence-wongs-maiden-budget-election-nears

 

Budget 2025: All Singaporean households to get $800 in CDC vouchers

The government will continue to provide additional support to Singaporeans as part of Budget 2025, said Finance Minister Lawrence Wong on Tuesday (Feb 18). Every Singaporean household will receive S$800 in Community Development Council (CDC) vouchers. The first tranche of S$500 in vouchers will be disbursed in May this year, while the remaining S$300 in vouchers will be disbursed in January 2026.

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/singapore/economy-policy/budget-2025-all-singaporean-households-get-800-cdc-vouchers

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/budget-2025-each-sporean-household-to-get-800-in-cdc-vouchers

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/cdc-vouchers-u-save-rebates-singapore-budget-2025-lawrence-wong-4944476

https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/singapore/story20250218-5893938

 

Budget 2025: More Climate Vouchers for HDB households, Singaporeans in private properties

The Singapore government will issue an additional S$100 in Climate Vouchers to Housing and Development Board (HDB) households to boost individual sustainability efforts, said Finance Minister Lawrence Wong in his Budget speech on Tuesday (Feb 18).

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/singapore/budget-2025-more-climate-vouchers-hdb-households-singaporeans-private-properties

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/budget-2025-singaporean-households-in-private-properties-can-get-400-in-climate-vouchers

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/singapore-parliament-budget-2025-lawrence-wong-climate-vouchers-4944456

https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/singapore/story20250218-5894329

 

 

Global Economy & Real Estate

 

Trump says US auto tariffs to be around 25%

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/trump-says-us-auto-tariffs-be-around-25

https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/trump-plans-25-auto-tariffs-to-reshape-us-trade-policy

 

Trump ‘more confident’ of Ukraine deal after talks

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/trump-more-confident-ukraine-deal-after-talks

 

Aussie “Big Four” banks cut rates, mirroring central bank

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/banking-finance/aussie-big-four-banks-cut-rates-mirroring-central-bank

 

Australia wage growth slows to 3.2% y/y in Q4

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/australia-wage-growth-slows-3-2-yy-q4

 

Blackstone extends US$1.3 billion loan on Chicago’s Willis Tower

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/property/blackstone-extends-us1-3-billion-loan-chicagos-willis-tower

 

China condemns US ‘tariff shocks’ at WTO

https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/china-condemns-us-tariff-shocks-at-wto

 

Developer Greentown China plans additional dollar bonds to refinance debt

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/property/developer-greentown-china-plans-additional-dollar-bonds-refinance-debt

 

Wait for Hong Kong public rental flats drops to 5.3 years, lowest since 2018

https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3299129/wait-hong-kong-public-rental-flats-drops-53-years-lowest-2018

 

Editorial | Hong Kong website helps hunt for property in Greater Bay Area

https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3299218/hong-kong-website-helps-hunt-property-greater-bay-area

 

New World proposes additional US$3.8b for loan collateral

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/property/new-world-proposes-additional-us3-8b-loan-collateral

 

BOJ may raise rates twice more this year, underpin yen, says ex-FX diplomat Watanabe

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/boj-may-raise-rates-twice-more-year-underpin-yen-says-ex-fx-diplomat-watanabe-4944641

 

Japan’s exports rise 7.2% y/y in January

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/japans-exports-rise-7-2-yy-january

 

New York City’s 590 Madison goes up for sale at roughly US$1.1 billion

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/property/new-york-citys-590-madison-goes-sale-roughly-us1-1-billion

 

Thailand’s central bank and government must work together, PM says

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/thailands-central-bank-and-government-must-work-together-pm-says

 

Tourism bounce helps Thai banks trim bad loans from three-year high

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/asean/tourism-bounce-helps-thai-banks-trim-bad-loans-three-year-high

 

UK pay growth holds at lowest level since 2021: Brightmine

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/uk-pay-growth-holds-lowest-level-2021-brightmine

 

 

Disclaimer & Note:

Real Estate Developers’ Association of Singapore (REDAS) does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of the information and expressly disclaims liability for errors or omissions therein. The content, accuracy, and opinions expressed are not investigated, verified, monitored, nor endorsed by REDAS. Every effort is taken to ensure that all information extracted is correct at the time of dissemination.

The Daily News is issued as news gathering for the convenience and benefits of REDAS’ members only and not for mass circulation. Members are advised to exercise discretion in the use and dissemination of the information. The news links are time-sensitive and require registration of fee-based digital subscriptions.

Scroll to Top