More businesses optimistic about 2025 but face challenges like manpower costs, talent: Survey

More businesses are optimistic about 2025 compared with last year, according to the latest survey conducted by Singapore's apex business chamber. But perennial challenges like manpower costs and talent continue to cast a shadow. Kok Ping Soon, CEO of the Singapore Business Federation, discusses the annual National Business Survey. He talks about local companies and their concerns over manpower costs, in addition to the challenge of customer demand uncertainty that is rising in this business climate.