A refreshed alliance of trade associations and chambers will deepen collaboration, raise capabilities and help businesses navigate a more complex global environment.

More than 200 trade association and chamber leaders gathered at the TAC Summit 2026 as Singapore stepped up efforts to strengthen business support and help companies stay competitive.

At the summit, Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth Low Yen Ling launched TAC Alliance 2.0, a refreshed platform aimed at helping trade associations and chambers (TACs) work more closely together and deliver more targeted support for businesses.

The enhanced alliance will focus on three key areas: improving insights for stronger government-TAC partnerships, encouraging more collaboration between TACs, and developing capability-building programmes to strengthen the TAC sector.

TAC Alliance 2.0 will be led by a steering committee co-chaired by Teo Siong Seng and Lee Chuan Teck.

The committee will guide strategy, improve coordination, and support initiatives that drive transformation across the TAC sector.

Enterprise Singapore said the new alliance will help TACs better support businesses facing global challenges.

Mr Lee said TACs play an important role in helping companies grow and adapt in an increasingly complex business environment, adding that EnterpriseSG looks forward to working closely with the alliance.

To strengthen TAC governance and capabilities, two new initiatives were also introduced.

The first is the TAC Measurement Framework, a self-assessment tool developed by EnterpriseSG to help TACs review their capabilities and organisational practices in a more structured way.

The second is the Qualified TAC Director Badge, developed with the Singapore Institute of Directors. The badge recognises TAC leaders who have completed governance training.

A key focus for TAC Alliance 2.0 will be helping businesses expand overseas.

Findings from the Singapore Business Federation’s National Business Survey 2025 showed that while Singapore businesses remain highly internationalised, expansion momentum has slowed amid rising global uncertainty.

The survey found that 59 per cent of Singapore businesses remain internationalised, but the share planning overseas expansion fell from 59 per cent in 2024 to 47 per cent in 2025.

Businesses said their top concerns were uncertain overseas demand, rising expansion costs and more complex operating conditions.

The survey also found that many firms need stronger skills in market understanding, cross-cultural communication and trade regulations.

Businesses said they would benefit most from financial support, regulatory guidance and business matching services.

Singapore Business Federation CEO Kok Ping Soon said TAC Alliance 2.0 comes at an important time and will help businesses move from planning to action.

He said stronger TAC coordination will help companies build capabilities, form partnerships and expand overseas with greater confidence.

The summit also featured a Solutions Marketplace and Diagnostics Hub, giving TACs access to service providers and advisers in human capital, digitalisation and leadership development.

Source: SBF