Help for Businesses

Stay informed about the COVID-19 situation, with up-to-date news articles and government announcements curated specially for the accountancy profession and businesses in Singapore. Be in the know about latest developments and be empowered to act with agility and adapt to changing external conditions. This page will be updated regularly from Mondays to Fridays.

Latest News

Startup mentality is saving small businesses
4 December 2020 – The Business Times

Pandemic helps Salesforce nudge digital transformation for businesses
4 December 2020 – Singapore Business Review

PwC Singapore develops Fintech accreditation programme; names start-ups from F10 as inaugural batch
4 December 2020 – The Edge

Large firms step up to help SMEs as govt aid tapers off
30 November 2020 – The Straits Times

Resilient hubs key for companies amid Covid-19 crisis: SM
20 November 2020 – The Straits Times

Relief period extended for some commercial contracts
17 November 2020 – The Straits Times

Develop agility that outlasts the pandemic
13 November 2020 – The Straits Times

New work pass to attract top-tier tech professionals
13 November 2020 – The Straits Times

How family enterprises can build resilience in a post-pandemic future
10 November 2020 – The Straits Times

Most SMEs confident of meeting loan repayment obligations: Survey
9 November 2020 – The Straits Times

Pilot scheme to let nightlife joints reopen
7 November 2020 – The Straits Times

S$6.8m disbursed to 2,700 food, retail businesses in Singapore for going digital: IMDA
6 November 2020 – The Straits Times

Debt restructuring measures to help distressed SMEs
3 November 2020 – The Straits Times

Sustainability slips in SMEs' priority, but it's key to long-term growth
3 November 2020 – The Straits Times

Small business to get help in restructuring debts under two new schemes
1 November 2020 – The Straits Times

News Archive

New programme launched to help SME leaders in Singapore drive transformation, growth efforts
29 October 2020 – The Straits Times

Training staff and fighting fire: both vital for survival
27 October 2020 – The Business Times

It's time to change the Asian mindset about corporate restructuring
27 October 2020 – Singapore Law Watch

Global integration will help S'pore firms grow, create jobs: Iswaran
23 October 2020 – The Business Times

Strategic road map to support workplace learning
23 October 2020 – The Straits Times

Pandemic speeds up labour shift to robots
22 October 2020 – The Straits Times

Building organisational resilience
21 October 2020 – The Straits Times

Over $5.5b to be paid out in Jobs Support Scheme from Oct 29 
19 October 2020 – The Straits Times

Crisis a time to review and fortify
19 October 2020 – The Business Times

Shift to targeted support for firms, workers: Heng
16 October 2020 – The Straits Times

Most Singapore SMEs tapped on government Covid-19 support, more than global counterparts: Xero
15 October 2020 – The Edge Singapore

Singapore, Germany sign MOU to speed up SMEs' industrial and digital transformation
15 October 2020 – The Edge Singapore

SMEs in marine fuel sector to get financial help to go digital
7 October 2020 – The Straits Times

Firms need to equip workers with digital skills: Iswaran
7 October 2020 – The Straits Times

Extension of help for firms' cash flow, training needs
6 October 2020 – The Straits Times

Credit relief measures to continue into 2021
6 October 2020 – The Straits Times

Making it easier for small firms to restructure debt, wind up business
6 October 2020 – The Straits Times

OCBC webinars to help 3,000 SMEs go digital by year end
5 October 2020 – The Straits Times

FairPrice extends scheme to help local SME food suppliers
3 October 2020 – The Straits Times

More pandemic relief legislation for firms, individuals: MinLaw
1 October 2020 – Singapore Law Watch

Digital skills alone not enough for future, says EDB MD
1 October 2020 – The Straits Times

New centre to help prepare Asean for the future of work
30 September 2020 – The Straits Times

Singapore firms chart new paths amid challenging times
30 September 2020 – The Straits Times

Virtual AGMs allowed till next June; real-time electronic voting green-lit: MinLaw
29 September 2020 – The Business Times

Platform can help Singapore SMEs access China buyers
29 September 2020 – The Straits Times

MAS, banks said to be in talks to extend debt relief scheme
29 September 2020 – The Straits Times

From tech to jobs, the future of work needs thought
29 September 2020 – The Business Times

Covid-19 grant extended, but eligibility rules revised
23 September 2020 – The Straits Times

Singapore brand mark to help local firms stand out abroad
22 September 2020 – The Straits Times

Data can help traditional small businesses succeed in a pandemic
22 September 2020 – The Business Times

Regulations on new tech work when public, private sectors collaborate: Forum
17 September 2020 – The Straits Times

Businesses can collaborate to extend tourism vouchers' impact: Experts
17 September 2020 – The Straits Times

Singapore firms lead region in using tech to boost ops: Survey
16 September 2020 – The Straits Times

S'pore and Japan launch mediation service to settle business disputes
15 September 2020 – The Straits Times

Firms here spend more on IT due to Covid-19 than in other countries
14 September 2020 – The Straits Times

Flexible financing to keep digital transformation on track
12 September 2020 – Tech Radar

Singapore to allow bigger Mice events with up to 250 attendees, application to start from Oct 1
7 September 2020 – The Straits Times

Firms that hire local workers to get more wage support
6 September 2020 – The Straits Times

Virtual AGMs, shareholder meetings to be allowed until June 30 next year
4 September 2020 – The Straits Times

Designing a winning talent strategy for a post-Covid world
4 September 2020 – The Business Times

Proposal to let assessors specify rent waiver sum in disputes
4 September 2020 – The Straits Times

Why Now Is the Best Time for Singaporean SMEs To Embrace Tech
4 September 2020 – Yahoo! Singapore Finance

Govt looking at simpler liquidation process for pandemic-hit firms
3 September 2020 – Singapore Law Watch

Businesses exploring new areas of growth during pandemic: Halimah
3 September 2020 – The Straits Times

Evolve or dissolve: How increased digital adoption is the only saving grace for startups
31 August 2020 – e27

Covid-19 forces rethink of operations and digitalisation
31 August 2020 – The Business Times

Innovative business ideas will get help to come to fruition
29 August 2020 – The Straits Times

Firms recognised for being innovative in Covid-19 fight
26 August 2020 – The Straits Times

3 in 4 small firms in Singapore satisfied with relief aid: Poll
24 August 2020 – The Straits Times

Thousands of jobs on offer in growing start-up sector
21 August 2020 – The Straits Times

Josephine Teo: Jobs Growth Incentive scheme prods firms to boost hires via wage savings
19 August 2020 – The Straits Times

MAS to engage financial institutions on growing their Singaporean workforce
19 August 2020 – The Straits Times

Scheme to help start-ups will get boost of up to $150 million
18 August 2020 – The Straits Times

Covid-19 Support Grant extended; more eligible for $3,000 Workfare payout
18 August 2020 – The Straits Times

Govt extends Jobs Support Scheme by up to 7 months; sectors to get 10-50% tiered wage subsidies
17 August 2020 – The Straits Times

DPM Heng: New $1b Jobs Growth Incentive to boost hiring of locals in expanding sectors
17 August 2020 – The Straits Times

In a changed world, companies need to change
16 August 2020 – The Straits Times

Enhanced digital plan to benefit about 86,300 logistics workers
15 August 2020 – The Straits Times

Businesses hope key Covid-19 short term support measures will continue
15 August 2020 – The Straits Times

How Singapore's new insolvency laws could extend lifelines for distressed companies
15 August 2020 – The Business Times

NTUC weighs forming organised body to help PMEs
15 August 2020 – The Business Times

Upcoming fiscal support may be more targeted
12 August 2020 – The Straits Times

Some SMEs already in process of transforming themselves
12 August 2020 – The Straits Times

A new digital game plan for business survival mode
12 August 2020 – The Business Times

Businesses welcome cross-border travel arrangements between Singapore, Malaysia
11 August 2020 – The Straits Times

Singapore SMEs urged to consider Uttar Pradesh for overseas expansion
6 August 2020 - SGSME

Singapore tourism companies boost digital offerings amid Covid-19
4 August 2020 – The Straits Times

S$320m set aside to extend foreign worker levy rebates for construction, marine shipyard, process sectors
1 August 2020 – Channel NewsAsia

PM Lee; Tough days ahead but workers and businesses will get help
28 July 2020 – The Straits Times

IBM, Shopee among firms to offer training for mid-career job seekers
26 July 2020 – The Straits Times

Emerging Enterprise Awards to highlight resilience in face of Covid-19
25 July 2020 – The Business Times

Govt will give hiring support but firms must also play ball: Tharman
24 July 2020 – The Straits Times

Bosch scheme to help manufacturers get ready for future
23 July 2020 – The Straits Times

Covid-19 pandemic has sped up digital transformation in firms: Study
21 July 2020 – The Straits Times

Tips on tackling Covid-19 fallout shared by companies
20 July 2020 – The Straits Times

SMU links up with 8 firms to offer PMEs courses for career change
18 July 2020 – The Straits Times

10k projects tap Enterprise S'pore schemes in first half of 2020
15 July 2020 – The Straits Times

As financial players join hands, more digital trade & financial options are available for SMEs 
14 July 2020 – The Business Times

$1.36b package helps construction firms resume work safely amid coronavirus pandemic
27 June 2020 – The Straits Times

Tenants helped with new normal by CapitaLand's digital solutions
26 June 2020 – The Straits Times

Free digital accounting service offered to SMEs by Xero and DBS 
25 June 2020 – Singapore Business Review

SMEs supported by Hong Leong’s loan campaigns, bank reopening selected branches in Singapore's Phase 2
25 June 2020 – The Edge Singapore

Hong Leong Finance helps SMEs with targeted business loans
23 June 2020 – The Straits Times

UOB: The FinLab digital platform launched for SMEs and start-ups in Asean
23 June 2020 – The Straits Times

Helping local SMEs access new overseas markets online
23 June 2020 – The Straits Times

MOM; New rules ensure fair hiring by employment agencies
23 June 2020 – The Straits Times

Web portal aims to get firms helping one another
22 June 2020 – The Straits Times

With government support, SMEs ramps up efforts to go digital 
20 June 2020 – The Straits Times

In the ‘three-month sprint', Industry-led groups to develop, execute ideas for post-COVID-19 economic growth 
20 June 2020 – Channel NewsAsia

Crisis call: Singapore business leaders on managing in the pandemic
20 June 2020 – The Business Times

Amid Covid-19 outbreak, more Singapore SMEs tapped government grants, initiatives to digitalise 
19 June 2020 – The Straits Times

CapitaLand Mall Trust providing more rental relief to SME tenants
16 June 2020 – The Straits Times

$450m in wage credit payouts for 95,000 employers
12 June 2020 – The Straits Times

New SBF initiatives to support employees, SMEs
12 June 2020 – SG SME

Rent relief for eligible SLA-run state property sub-tenants
12 June 2020 – The Straits Times

MAS subsidy to upgrade skills for 4,700 people
11 June 2020 – The Straits Times

CapitaLand to waive rent for SMEs, expects "adverse impact" on earnings
10 June 2020 – The Straits Times

How businesses and workers should seize opportunities, accelerate change
9 June 2020 – The Straits Times

SMEs take loans for immediate cash flow, long-term flexibility
9 June 2020 – The Straits Times

Firms must adapt and seek opportunities to survive Covid-19
9 June 2020 – The Straits Times

COVID-19: Singapore to spend S$3.5 billion on infocomm tech to support businesses
8 June 2020 – Channel NewsAsia

$285m fund for innovative start-ups to tap
8 June 2020 – The Straits Times

80% of Covid-19 war chest to help businesses and workers
6 June 2020 – The Straits Times

Chan; Setting up safe management measures will pay off for firms
6 June 2020 – The Straits Times

Law passed to help pandemic-hit SMEs cope with rent obligations
6 June 2020 – The Straits Times

Safeguards for landlords that help SMEs on rent repayment scheme
6 June 2020 – The Straits Times

More help and rent waivers on the way for hard-hit SMEs
4 June 2020 – The Straits Times

Increase in help for some landlords facing cash flow issues
4 June 2020 – The Straits Times

For SMEs to stay afloat amid and beyond the Covid-19 outbreak, financial education is vital 
1 June 2020 – Singapore Business Review

Employers must let MOM deploy foreign workers in order to seek levy rebates
1 June 2020 – The Straits Times

More help and rent waivers on the way for hard-hit SMEs
4 June 2020 – The Straits Times

Increase in help for some landlords facing cash flow issues
4 June 2020 – The Straits Times

For SMEs to stay afloat amid and beyond the Covid-19 outbreak, financial education is vital 
1 June 2020 – Singapore Business Review

Employers must let MOM deploy foreign workers in order to seek levy rebates
1 June 2020 – The Straits Times

In a post-pandemic world, how can companies can pivot for success?
29 May 2020 – Yahoo! Finance Singapore

Despite economic slump, companies are still hiring 
28 May 2020 – The Straits Times

Playing field between landlords and tenants could be levelled by New Bill 
28 May 2020 – The Straits Times

Cash grant to help SME tenants with rent costs
27 May 2020 – The Straits Times

Levy waiver extended for some firms
27 May 2020 – The Straits Times

Up to $10k to go digital for F&B, retail firms
27 May 2020 – The Straits Times

New initiative to help heartland shops ride digital wave
27 May 2020 – The Straits Times

$285m for promising start-ups
27 May 2020 – The Straits Times

$33b more set aside to help workers, businesses under 4th Budget 
27 May 2020 – The Straits Times

SMEs seizing opportunities as new demands emerge resulting from coronavirus
26 May 2020 – The Straits Times

DPM Heng; Higher wage subsidies for S'porean workers extended to firms in more sectors, support extended to 10 months 
26 May 2020 – The Straits Times

Coronavirus: Call to let mom-and-pop shops reopen earlier
23 May 2020 – The Straits Times

On-site work to resume for 1 in 3 workers as more firms reopen
20 May 2020 - The Straits Times

More help for healthcare, education SMEs in digitalisation amid pandemic
15 May 2020 – The Business Times

Free series of webinars helping SMEs improve business capabilities
15 May 2020 - The Straits Times

Businesses accelerate move into digital space beyond Covid-19 crisis
14 May 2020 – The Straits Times

$6 million FinTech Solidarity Grant supports Singapore FinTech firms
14 May 2020 – The Straits Times

Focus on Human Capital is key amid COVID-19
13 May 2020 – The Straits Times

SME Grants and COVID-19 measures available to businesses in Singapore
12 May 2020 – Yahoo! Finance Singapore

New mobile commerce solution to help over 2,000 SMEs set up online stores
12 May 2020 – The Straits Times

Over 340 firms benefit from training support under the Enhanced Training Support Package
12 May 2020 – The Straits Times

Key safety measures for firms to prevent new wave of coronavirus
10 May 2020 – The Straits Times

Global ‘trial-and-error’ played out in lives as reopenings mark a new phase
10 May 2020 - TODAY

$4b in loans extended by UOB to mid-sized firms under scheme
6 May 2020 – The Straits Times

A COVID-19 Survival Guide for SMEs
6 May 2020 – SG SME

How organisations can protect against cyber risks
5 May 2020 – Yahoo! Finance Singapore

14 new partners named by Enterprise Singapore to nurture start-ups
2 May 2020 – The Straits Times

Loans made accessible to more SMEs by personal guarantees
1 May 2020 – The Straits Times

Temasek Trust launches $10m fund to support initiatives helping communities affected by the Covid-19 outbreak
30 April 2020 – The Straits Times

MAS supports G20 TechSprint initiative for banks and financial regulators to work with fintech firms on tech solutions
29 April 2020 – The Edge Singapore

MAS study: Jobs Support Scheme more comprehensive compared with past crises  
28 April 2020 – TODAY Online

Prudential's Covid-19 relief package paid out over $800,000 to more than 1,000 people
28 April 2020 – The Straits Times

Google and UOB training programme aims to help 4,000 trainees deal with Covid-19 effects
24 April 2020 – Business Insider Singapore

Extensions granted by SGX RegCo to release full-year unaudited results
24 April 2020 – Singapore Business Review

Over $490m in loans disbursed under two programmes
24 April 2020 – The Straits Times

SMEs are banding together to help ride out the Covid-19 crisis
24 April 2020 – The Straits Times

Finance professionals supported by accountancy body 
22 April 2020 – Finews Asia

Additional support of $3.8 billion to businesses and workers
22 April 2020 – The Straits Times

Foreign worker levy rebates of nearly $675 million to over 62,000 employers 
22 April 2020 – The Straits Times

Indranee Rajah: Increased support for accountancy, finance professionals affected by COVID-19 outbreak
21 April 2020 – Channel NewsAsia

Keeping insolvencies to a minimum in midst of a crisis
21 April 2020 – Accountancy Age

SMEs benefit from MAS, ESG initiative that allows banks to borrow at a near-zero interest rate
21 April 2020 – The Straits Times

Local banks commit to offer lowered rates for SME loans
21 April 2020 – The Straits Times

A guide to all three Budgets for SMEs
21 April 2020 – The Business Times

Businesses with Covid-19 cases get help with cleaning costs 
18 April 2020 – The Straits Times

7 things to know about the Jobs Support Scheme pay-outs
17 April 2020 – The Straits Times

Help for SMEs in retail, tourism with Google-UOB programme
17 April 2020 – The Straits Times

$4.5m in aid to those hit by pandemic fallout offered by DBS, Singtel 
17 April 2020 – The Straits Times

Portal helping accountants work from home
16 April 2020 – FutureCFO

Co-opted councillor at SGTech discusses how SME owners can access support  during this pandemic
16 April 2020 – The Straits Times

Firms manufacturing essential products unlikely to affected by authorities' plans to trim list of essential services
16 April 2020 – The Straits Times

Banks flooded with loan applications by virus-battered SMEs 
16 April 2020 – The Business Times

Laws passed to save SMEs; cut red tape to expedite the application process
16 April 2020 – Singapore Law Watch

First payment for over 140,000 employers under Jobs Support Scheme
15 April 2020 – Channel NewsAsia

StanChart increases support for SMEs hit by pandemic slowdown 
15 April 2020 – The Straits Times

S'pore listed firms adapt to new ruling on AGMs
14 April 2020 – Singapore Law Watch

Updated guidelines for virtual AGM issued by ACRA, MAS and SGX RegCo
14 April 2020 – The Business Times

Build powerful digital trojan horse using this time
14 April 2020 – The Business Times

Changing up your business in response to Covid-19
14 April 2020 – The Business Times

The case for state-owned pseudo-equity: saving Singapore SMEs
14 April 2020 – The Business Times

DBS upsizes digital business loan, boosting cash flow support for SMEs 
10 April 2020 – Yahoo Finance Singapore

Assessment of digital bank licences extended by MAS due to COVID-19 outbreak
9 April 2020 – Channel News Asia

Cash incentive given by ABS to small businesses that sign up for PayNow
9 April 2020 – The Business Times

Navigating loan obligations following the Temporary Measures Bill
9 April 2020 – SG SME

What the recent SG Budgets mean for SMEs
9 April 2020 – SG SME

Help from MAS for financial institutions in worker training, employment
8 April 2020 – The Straits Times

Firms given a 60-day time extension by ACRA and SGX RegCo to hold AGM, file annual returns
8 April 2020 – Singapore Law Watch

Firms and registered societies allowed to hold virtual AGMs
8 April 2020 – The Straits Times

Covid-19 Temporary Measures Bill to provide temporary relief from some legal obligations
8 April 2020 – Singapore Law Watch

Repossession of business assets protected under the Covid-19 Temporary Measures Bill 
8 April 2020 – The Straits Times

MAS waives limits for deferred loan payments
8 April 2020 – The Straits Times

DBS doubles digital business loan quantum for SMEs to S$200,000
7 April 2020 – The Business Times

Additional S$5.1b to save jobs and ease pressure on firms and households
7 April 2020 – The Business Times

75% wage subsidy for local employees for firms in April
7 April 2020 – The Straits Times

Increased rent waivers for industrial, office and agricultural tenants
7 April 2020 – The Straits Times

Total of 662 companies have taken working capital loans
7 April 2020 – The Straits Times

Businesses assured to have continued access to credit 
7 April 2020 – The Straits Times

Tech and innovation kept F&B firms afloat amid Covid-19
7 April 2020 – The New Paper

Employers urged to use levy rebate wisely and support workers
7 April 2020 – The Straits Times

Josephine Teo: Employers to do their part in supporting workers 
7 April 2020 – The Straits Times

Companies must help countries where they work 'accelerate through the curve'
7 April 2020 – The Business Times

More relief measures for customers and SMEs unveiled by DBS 
4 April 2020 - The Straits Times

Chan Chun Sing: Firms should allow staff to work from home while operating 
4 April 2020 - The Straits Times

E-Commerce Booster Package launched to help SME retailers start selling online 
3 April 2020 – The Straits Times

New bill grants temporary relief from contract obligations hit by Covid-19 
2 April 2020 – The Business Times

Stronger action by tech firms needed to stop misinformation on coronavirus
30 March 2020 – The Straits Times

S$48.4b more to fight pandemic, with up to S$17b from reserves  
27 Mar 2020 – The Business Times

Government unveils 3 C's to offer additional help to businesses combat Covid-19 downturn
27 Mar 2020 – The Edge Singapore

Enhanced financing schemes to help firms access credit  
27 Mar 2020 – The Straits Times

Firms to get wage subsidies of up to 75% for local workers  
27 Mar 2020 – The Straits Times