BT Lens On

The countdown to Singapore Budget 2025 has begun, and expectations are running high.

Lens on Singapore hosts Claressa Monteiro and Howie Lim sit down with experts Nicholas Fang and Dr. Mathew Mathews to discuss what Singaporeans can expect from PM Lawrence Wong's budget debut.

From cost of living to sustainability and AI, we examine the biggest issues facing Singapore today, and what the upcoming Budget could mean for Singaporean households and businesses.

Highlights of the conversation:

01:18 An election year budget?

03:15 Addressing cost of living

08:31 Confronting business challenges

12:34 Adapting to geopolitical uncertainty

13:36 Support for mid-career workers

18:41 Is AI the big disruptor?

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Now, we want to hear from you! Send us your questions, thoughts, story ideas, and feedback to [email protected]. We’ll look into it for future episodes.

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Hosted by Claressa Monteiro and Howie Lim, edited and produced by Claressa Monteiro, Emily Liu and Chai Pei Chieh.

With Nicholas Fang, senior advisor, The Asia Group and managing director, Black Dot; and Dr. Mathew Mathews, head, Institute of Policy Studies Social Lab, NUS

A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

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US governmental changes under President Trump, currency market movements, and international relations involving Singapore. Highlights market trends, focusing on specific stocks and gold prices.

Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times. 

Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ([email protected]) 

Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

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Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice. 

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US-Panama Canal fee waiver, France’s budget-related no-confidence votes, US-China trade disputes, and Malaysia’s stance on Gaza. In Singapore, defense ties with the US are reaffirmed. 

Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times. 

Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ([email protected]) 

Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

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Channel: bt.sg/btlenson

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Feedback to: [email protected]

Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice. 

Discover more BT podcast series:

BT Mark To Market at: bt.sg/btmark2mkt 

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BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks

BT Market Focus at: bt.sg/btmktfocus

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Trump says the US would take over the war-shattered Gaza Strip; he is also in no hurry to speak to Chinese President Xi Jinping to try to defuse a new trade war; Australia bans DeepSeek from all government devices and the new Maintenance of Racial Harmony Act is passed in Singapore.

Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times. 

Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ([email protected]) 

Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

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Follow Lens On Daily and rate us on:

Channel: bt.sg/btlenson

Amazon: bt.sg/lensam

Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/lensap

Spotify: bt.sg/lenssp

YouTube Music: bt.sg/lensyt

Website: bt.sg/lenson

Feedback to: [email protected]

Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice. 

Discover more BT podcast series:

BT Mark To Market at: bt.sg/btmark2mkt 

WealthBT at: bt.sg/btpropertybt

PropertyBT at: bt.sg/btmktfocus

BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks

BT Market Focus at: bt.sg/btmktfocus

BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/podcasts

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Confirmation of Chris Wright as US energy secretary, EU defense spending, US tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China, Australian household spending, and updates on Singapore's racial harmony.

Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times. 

Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ([email protected]) 

Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

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Follow Lens On Daily and rate us on:

Channel: bt.sg/btlenson

Amazon: bt.sg/lensam

Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/lensap

Spotify: bt.sg/lenssp

YouTube Music: bt.sg/lensyt

Website: bt.sg/lenson

Feedback to: [email protected]

Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice. 

Discover more BT podcast series:

BT Mark To Market at: bt.sg/btmark2mkt 

WealthBT at: bt.sg/btpropertybt

PropertyBT at: bt.sg/btmktfocus

BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks

BT Market Focus at: bt.sg/btmktfocus

BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/podcasts

BT Branded Podcasts at: bt.sg/brpod

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Global tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, effects on markets, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's remarks, Australia floods, and Singapore's new Workplace Fairness Bill.

Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times. 

Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ([email protected]) 

Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

---

Follow Lens On Daily and rate us on:

Channel: bt.sg/btlenson

Amazon: bt.sg/lensam

Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/lensap

Spotify: bt.sg/lenssp

YouTube Music: bt.sg/lensyt

Website: bt.sg/lenson

Feedback to: [email protected]

Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice. 

Discover more BT podcast series:

BT Mark To Market at: bt.sg/btmark2mkt 

WealthBT at: bt.sg/btpropertybt

PropertyBT at: bt.sg/btmktfocus

BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks

BT Market Focus at: bt.sg/btmktfocus

BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/podcasts

BT Branded Podcasts at: bt.sg/brpod

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tragic US air disaster; Brexit developments; SoftBank's potential investment in OpenAI; India accelerates its AI initiatives and in Singapore, updates on Woodleigh bus interchange.

Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times. 

Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ([email protected]) 

Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

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Follow Lens On Daily and rate us on:

Channel: bt.sg/btlenson

Amazon: bt.sg/lensam

Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/lensap

Spotify: bt.sg/lenssp

YouTube Music: bt.sg/lensyt

Website: bt.sg/lenson

Feedback to: [email protected]

Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice. 

Discover more BT podcast series:

BT Mark To Market at: bt.sg/btmark2mkt 

WealthBT at: bt.sg/btpropertybt

PropertyBT at: bt.sg/btmktfocus

BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks

BT Market Focus at: bt.sg/btmktfocus

BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/podcasts

BT Branded Podcasts at: bt.sg/brpod

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US maritime strategies in Panama, Australian business activity, and political concerns in Asia under President Prabowo Subianto. Also highlighted is the upcoming Jurong Region Line in Singapore.

Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times. 

Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ([email protected]) 

Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

---

Follow Lens On Daily and rate us on:

Channel: bt.sg/btlenson

Amazon: bt.sg/lensam

Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/lensap

Spotify: bt.sg/lenssp

YouTube Music: bt.sg/lensyt

Website: bt.sg/lenson

Feedback to: [email protected]

Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice. 

Discover more BT podcast series:

BT Mark To Market at: bt.sg/btmark2mkt 

WealthBT at: bt.sg/btpropertybt

PropertyBT at: bt.sg/btmktfocus

BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks

BT Market Focus at: bt.sg/btmktfocus

BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/podcasts

BT Branded Podcasts at: bt.sg/brpod

BT Lens On: bt.sg/btlenson

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US President Trump suggests Palestinians should move to Jordan and Egypt; Perplexity AI revises merger proposal with TikTok's parent ByteDance; South Korea's President Yoon faces insurrection charges and Singapore’s Changi Airport forecasts growth after missing full recovery.

Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times. 

Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ([email protected]) 

Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

---

Follow Lens On Daily and rate us on:

Channel: bt.sg/btlenson

Amazon: bt.sg/lensam

Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/lensap

Spotify: bt.sg/lenssp

YouTube Music: bt.sg/lensyt

Website: bt.sg/lenson

Feedback to: [email protected]

Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice. 

Discover more BT podcast series:

BT Mark To Market at: bt.sg/btmark2mkt 

WealthBT at: bt.sg/btpropertybt

PropertyBT at: bt.sg/btmktfocus

BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks

BT Market Focus at: bt.sg/btmktfocus

BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/podcasts

BT Branded Podcasts at: bt.sg/brpod

BT Lens On: bt.sg/btlenson

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump wants to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin as soon as possible to secure an end to the war with Ukraine; Palestinians in northern Gaza prepare tent encampments for displaced families and US lawmakers want to revoke China's preferential trade status with the United States.

Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times. 

Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ([email protected]) 

Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

---

Follow Lens On Daily and rate us on:

Channel: bt.sg/btlenson

Amazon: bt.sg/lensam

Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/lensap

Spotify: bt.sg/lenssp

YouTube Music: bt.sg/lensyt

Website: bt.sg/lenson

Feedback to: [email protected]

Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice. 

Discover more BT podcast series:

BT Mark To Market at: bt.sg/btmark2mkt 

WealthBT at: bt.sg/btpropertybt

PropertyBT at: bt.sg/btmktfocus

BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks

BT Market Focus at: bt.sg/btmktfocus

BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/podcasts

BT Branded Podcasts at: bt.sg/brpod

BT Lens On: bt.sg/btlenson

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.