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Here's what analysts say about Budget 2016
Sociologist Dr Paulin Straughan, economists, Dr Vivienne Wee of Aware and other experts weigh in on Mr Heng Swee Keat's maiden Budget. http://str.sg/ZtDA ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG
Commentary: Business-minded focus on the future and help upstream for families
The $73.4 billion Budget trains its firepower on companies, but also has an emphasis on at-risk families, says Straits Times Opinion Editor Chua Mui Hoong. http://str.sg/ZtDq ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
6 measures to tide SMEs over
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) will be getting some help from the Government to weather the economic slowdown, Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat said in his Budget address on Thursday (March 24).
Here are six key announcements. http://str.sg/ZtRr ST FILE PHOTO
Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat announced a slew of measures under the Industry Transformation Programme that will help companies and industries automate, innovate, expand overseas and procure financing.
Schemes are now more targeted, but provide more help than before for those that qualify. http://str.sg/ZtD4 ST FILE PHOTO
Low wage workers, older workers and those with disabilities will get help to boost their employment prospects, Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat said on Thursday (March 24).
Meanwhile, schemes to help workers adapt to a restructuring economy continue through SkillsFuture, and other initiatives.
As economic cycles shorten, the pressure for workers to adapt will rise, Mr Heng said.
Here are 6 measures he announced. http://str.sg/ZtD3 ST FILE PHOTO
"We want a Singapore which is a great place to raise a family, and where we bring out the best in every Singaporean; a society that takes care of those who have special needs, who are less well-off or who have fallen on hard times; a society where our seniors age with energy and dignity," Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat said in his Budget speech.
Here's a look at some of these measures. http://str.sg/ZtDk ST FILE PHOTO
11 things that stood out in Heng Swee Keat's Budget
Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat's maiden Budget speech in Parliament on Thursday (March 24) was a business-minded one. He spent some time addressing the current economic slowdown and giving help to those who continue to be displaced by economic transformation, but his overarching theme was preparing for the future.
Here are 11 announcements that stood out: http://str.sg/ZtRK ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG
Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat's maiden Budget speech in Parliament on Thursday (March 24) was a business-minded one. He spent some time addressing the current economic slowdown and giving help to those who continue to be displaced by economic transformation, but his overarching theme was preparing for the future.
Here are 11 announcements that stood out: http://str.sg/ZtRK ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG
Did you miss the Budget speech by Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat? Here's a quick recap of the main points
TRANSFORMING THE ECONOMY THROUGH ENTERPRISE AND INNOVATION
BUILDING A CARING AND RESILIENT SOCIETY
by Chua Mui Hoong
Thanks for being with us folks. Do look out for ST's news reports online and in print tomorrow!
by Ignatius Low
Thanks everyone for tuning in. It's been fun. Until Budget 2017!
by Ignatius Low
Yes slightly dry compared to previous Budgets, wouldn't you say? No tears!
by Chua Mui Hoong
HSK looks fresh and relaxed. Full head of black hair. Hope it remains so when it is his nth Budget :)
by Chua Mui Hoong
A Budget that goes into a lot of detail on the various initiatives. A little bit of rousing of the people, but not very much. Quite focused, business minded Budget.
by Ignatius Low
And can't be swayed by intense lobbying!
by Ignatius Low
Overall, he's kept his eye on the long-term while tending to some short-term necessities - and giving help to those continuing to be displaced by economic transformation. A very balanced and prudent first Budget - one that shows he very much has an eye on the big picture
by Chua Mui Hoong
A very focused Budget, focused on businesses but with something for individuals too - in line with expectations.
Mr Heng refers to Prime Minister Lee's speech when the new Cabinet was sworn in. PM Lee said: "The Singapore Story belongs to all of us. If we have faith that Singapore will endure and thrive, and put our heart and soul into building Singapore, then we will prevail, and secure our place in history."
Mr Heng says: "That is your duty and mine. The Singapore Story belongs to all of us. There are many chapters yet to be written in that story. Let us put our heart and soul to write our story together, in partnership."
Mr Heng concludes his first Budget speech.
by Ignatius Low
It's over! A cautious budget overall. Businesses who expected more will probably be disappointed. Yet Mr Heng needs to save his bullets for a potential economic downturn and for his CFE recommendations next year, which may require significant investments to pull off. Hard to see how he could have done it any different.
by Chua Mui Hoong
Industry Transformation Programme is a key initiative of this Budget. But should come up with a more catchy title. SkillsFuture is a good brand. The ITP needs something like that - a clear slogan/name. BizTransformers? SGBizUp? Just saying.
He notes that the creativity and energy of all Singaporeans is needed to face the future.
"We must have the imagination to forge new paths, the courage to try new ways, and the tenacity to persevere if we don't succeed on the first try.
"As long as we stand by our values, keep faith with one another, think long term, dare to try and be open to change, we will move in the right direction."
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