Economy & business

• Minister corrected year of support measures for Combi drivers to 2022, pledging NTUC collaboration.
• Government remains committed to assist self-employed transport groups amid Middle East impact.

• He Ting Ru asked about salary cost-sharing between government and NTUC for seconded political office holders over the last decade.
• Chan Chun Sing confirmed the government typically funds 50% of fixed salaries, with shared responsibility, and all holders receive one pay package under the 2012 White Paper.
• Annual manpower expenditure is published in the Budget book.

MP Abdul Muhaimin asked about a timeline to legally mandate cash acceptance during digital banking failures; the government referred to a prior reply from Minister Chee Hong Tat in February 2026.

• Fadli Fawzi inquired about pre-emptive monetary policy adjustments to counter energy cost-driven inflation, to which Gan Kim Yong responded that MAS is assessing its stance and will update the inflation outlook in its scheduled April 2026 statement.

The government clarified that A*STAR’s Quantum Innovation Centre focuses on strategic quantum sensing and materials, while CQT coordinates national talent and research; their $295 million combined annual funding under RIE 2025 is managed by the National Quantum Steering Committee to prevent duplication.

• Sharael Taha proposed adjusting the Sustainable Aviation Fuel levy timeline due to Middle East conflict-driven cost pressures.
• Jeffrey Siow confirmed the levy is deferred, now effective from 1 October 2026 for flights departing 1 January 2027, easing near-term burdens.

• The Ministry received under 30 appeals from car buyers affected by PARF rebate cuts, with fewer than 2,000 buyers estimated impacted.
• No transitional support is planned, as the immediate change aligns with past market-sensitive tax adjustments, and dealers are handling alternatives with buyers.

• Mr Ng Shi Xuan asked to review the sustainable aviation fuel levy timeline and quantum due to rising fuel prices.
• CAAS deferred the levy implementation to 1 October 2026 for flights from 1 January 2027, citing Middle East conflict impact, and kept the November 2025 quantum unchanged for stable costs.

• Deputy PM Gan Kim Yong stated energy and food account for 24% of CPI, contributing 0.9% annually to 3.3% inflation over 2020-2025, highlighting significant external influence from global prices on Singapore's import-dependent economy.

• GLCs contribute 20% to business R&D spending, with investments aligned to national priorities like AI and decarbonisation, such as ST Engineering's AI centre.
• The government notes growing private-sector R&D jobs and Singapore's high-tech export strength, affirming support for local enterprise innovation.

• Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim asked about the quantum, ROI methodology, cost per job, and cost-effectiveness reviews of tax incentives for foreign firms over five years.
• Gan Kim Yong noted incentives are tied to economic outcomes like job creation, with 15,700 new jobs projected, two-thirds paying above $5,000 monthly, mostly for locals.
• The government uses a multi-pronged approach, including grants for local firms to create quality jobs and higher wages.

The Ministry stated that Singapore's Consumer Product Safety Office conducts regular market surveillance, tests children’s products against international standards, and collaborates with e-commerce platforms to remove non-compliant items. Suppliers must cease supply if hazardous substances are detected, with penalties for non-compliance.

CCS monitors food delivery market for anti-competitive conduct after Deliveroo's exit, but has not seen systematic commission or fee increases. It will investigate any evidence of anti-competitive practices under the Competition Act and encourages public feedback. No regulatory review is currently planned.

• The government presented 2019-2024 rental, revenue, and surplus data for retail and F&B sectors but lacks SME vs non-SME breakdown. - High rents are seen near transport hubs and dense areas. - No detailed assessment of rental pressures by property type or location was provided.

• Minister Gan Kim Yong stated rental costs as a share of business costs fell from 26% to 17% for F&B and 30% to 26% for retail from 2019 to 2024.
• The government does not have data on median rental cost ranges or the proportion of firms with rental increases exceeding 10%, 20%, or 30% upon lease renewal.

• Assoc Prof Terence Ho asked which US-dependent industries face the most risk from a proposed 15% US tariff and what support SMEs will receive.
• The government noted limited immediate impact, with precision engineering and general manufacturing most exposed, and said it would enhance the Business Adaptation Grant and engage SERT to help businesses.

The Deputy Prime Minister will represent Singapore at the US public hearings. The Ministry is reinforcing Singapore’s legal frameworks to counter forced labour and will guide companies on the 15 April 2026 submission deadline. Responses are detailed in the 7 April 2026 Parliament Sitting replies.

• Cai Yinzhou questioned if productivity gains are from genuine improvements or farm exits, given declining production and farm closures, and asked for 2025 closure numbers and median productivity data; Grace Fu confirmed gains reflect both factors, with 2025 data to be released later.

• Assoc Prof Kenneth Goh questioned if Deliveroo's exit reduced platform workers' operator choice and affected their bargaining power, earnings, or conditions.
• Minister Tan See Leng responded that workers can still use 17 operators and noted industry principles developed in 2025 to address fair earnings, with associations able to raise concerns directly.

• Christopher de Souza queried subsidy consistency for shingles vaccination for Merdeka Generation cardholders across polyclinics and private GP clinics.
• Ong Ye Kung explained that differing subsidy frameworks between public and CHAS GP clinics make consistency challenging, with means-testing at polyclinics versus fixed subsidies at GPs.
• Both emphasize that costs remain subsidized by the government despite variations.