Industry leaders and government officials gather in Singapore on 27 February 2026 to discuss resilience, AI transformation and workforce support for manufacturers.
On Friday, 27 February 2026, the Singapore manufacturing community gathered for the SMF Lunar New Year Luncheon 2026. The event brought together government leaders, ambassadors, trade associations and business executives to reflect on the year ahead.
In his opening address, SMF President Lennon Tan welcomed guests and highlighted the meaning of the Year of the Horse. He said the horse symbolises vitality, endurance and purposeful movement. He encouraged manufacturers to lead with confidence and move forward with disciplined acceleration.
Mr Stanley Loh, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Manpower, delivered a special address. He said that uncertainty will remain a key feature in 2026, but Singapore’s manufacturers have shown resilience and adaptability. He noted that semiconductor firms are expanding capabilities, while precision engineering companies are adopting Industry 5.0 technologies.
Mr Tan said 2025 was a year of collaboration and ecosystem-building for the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF). The federation organised the third edition of its flagship Manufacturing Day Summit 2026. A key milestone was the launch of the JS-SEZ Playbook, which provides guidance for companies expanding into the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone.
SMF also celebrated excellence at the SIMEA Gala Dinner and Awards, recognising about 40 manufacturers and entrepreneurs for innovation and leadership. In addition, SMF jointly organised the SG60 Celebration and Gala Dinner with the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry, graced by Tharman Shanmugaratnam. The event marked Singapore’s 60th anniversary and highlighted the importance of partnership across industries and communities.
As 2026 begins, global trade shifts and tariff changes continue to create uncertainty. Mr Tan said businesses face rising manpower, energy and compliance costs, while also investing in AI and internationalisation. He noted that this dual pressure requires both cost discipline and capability upgrading.
Mr Loh referred to Budget 2026 announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. He said the budget focuses on workforce transformation, productivity and AI adoption. Advanced manufacturing has been identified as a priority under the National AI strategy. A new Champion Supply Project will support firms that aim to use AI to transform their operations.
He also highlighted manpower measures, including the increase in Local Qualifying Salary from $1,600 to $1,800 from July 2026, the extension of the Progressive Wage Credit scheme until 2028, the extension of the Senior Employment Credit until 2027, the extension of the mid-career training allowance to part-time training from March 2026, and updates to foreign workforce salary thresholds from January 2027. He said Singapore will remain open to foreign talent while keeping Singaporeans at the heart of the workforce.
Looking ahead, SMF will introduce several new initiatives in 2026. These include CAIO-as-a-Service, offering companies access to fractional Chief AI Officers, and a Manufacturing Leadership Elevation Certificate Programme in partnership with A*STAR SIMTech and SMF AMTA. SMF will also introduce a JS-SEZ AI Chatbot to provide real-time regulatory and expansion guidance.
Mr Tan said SMF will continue to deepen collaboration with trade associations and regional partners. He stressed that no manufacturer should be left behind in this era of transformation.
Both speakers wished members a successful Year of the Horse. Mr Tan thanked government partners, sponsors and members for their continued support. He said 2026 should be a year of clarity, resilience and smart acceleration for Singapore’s manufacturing sector.
SMF and Sun Media have signed the MOU on 23 May 2025 in Singapore, formalising a strategic partnership aimed at strengthening industry communications and advancing the voice of Singapore’s manufacturing sector.
Source: INDiplomacy Reporters
