SBF, Enterprise Singapore Launch CEFA to Help Singapore SMEs Strengthen Financial Literacy and Access Business Financing

SINGAPORE, May 18, 2026 – Singapore has launched a new centralised financing advisory platform aimed at helping enterprises strengthen financial literacy, improve financing readiness and access a broader range of capital solutions as businesses navigate a more uncertain economic and operating environment.

The new Centre for Enterprise Financing Advisory (CEFA), launched jointly by Singapore Business Federation and Enterprise Singapore, is designed as a one-stop financing advisory hub to support companies across different stages of growth, transformation and expansion.

The launch reflects growing recognition within Singapore’s business ecosystem that enterprises, particularly SMEs, increasingly require not only access to capital but also stronger financial management capabilities, strategic financing guidance and a better understanding of alternative funding options.

The initiative comes at a time when businesses across Singapore and the broader Asia-Pacific region are facing heightened macroeconomic volatility, elevated financing costs, supply-chain disruptions and accelerating digital transformation pressures.

New Financing Advisory Hub Targets SME Growth and Resilience

First announced in July 2025, CEFA has been positioned as a centralised platform that combines financing advisory, capability building and ecosystem partnerships under one umbrella.

The platform was officially launched by Low Yen Ling, Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and Ministry of Trade and Industry, together with senior leaders from SBF and Enterprise Singapore.

Under the initiative, businesses will be able to access advisory support across multiple financing categories, including working capital financing, trade financing, project financing, equity funding and private credit solutions.

CEFA will also facilitate connections between enterprises and financial institutions to help companies identify financing structures better aligned with their operational and growth strategies.

As part of the initiative, SBF has signed Memorandums of Understanding with eight major financial institutions: CIMB, DBS, HSBC, Maybank, OCBC, RHB, Standard Chartered and UOB.

These partnerships will support coordinated referrals, financing advisory, joint initiatives and expert insights for enterprises seeking financing support.

According to the organisers, CEFA will continue expanding collaborations with additional financial institutions and ecosystem partners over time.

Financial Literacy and AI-Driven Forecasting Become Strategic Priorities

Beyond financing access, CEFA also places strong emphasis on financial capability building and literacy enhancement for enterprises.

Businesses using the platform will gain access to a refreshed Financial Management Toolkit developed by the Association of Banks in Singapore in partnership with Enterprise Singapore and RSM Singapore.

The toolkit is intended to strengthen enterprise financing capabilities and improve financial management fundamentals, particularly for SMEs navigating growth and transformation challenges.

Later this year, CEFA will also collaborate with ISCA Academy to introduce training programmes focused on cash flow management strategies and AI-enabled financial forecasting.

The inclusion of AI-driven forecasting capabilities reflects a broader shift taking place across Singapore’s enterprise ecosystem, where companies are increasingly integrating digital tools and predictive analytics into financial planning and operational decision-making.

CEFA is additionally working with the SBF Business Institute to develop further enterprise financing programmes.

Geoffrey Yeo, Assistant Managing Director for Capabilities, Product and Policy at Enterprise Singapore, said the initiative aims to simplify access to financing expertise and resources for enterprises pursuing growth and transformation.

“Enterprises looking to transform and grow often seek out resources and advisory support to access the right financing,” Yeo said.

“Through this partnership with SBF on CEFA, we are bringing together key partners and expertise under one roof, making it easier for enterprises to access financing advice and resources to strengthen their financial capabilities.”

Singapore Strengthens SME Financing Ecosystem Amid Economic Uncertainty

The launch of CEFA also reflects Singapore’s broader efforts to strengthen enterprise resilience and competitiveness as regional businesses face increasingly complex operating conditions.

Kok Ping Soon, CEO of SBF, said companies today require clearer financing guidance and stronger financial planning support rather than simply access to capital.

“Businesses are operating in a far more uncertain environment today, and sound financing and cash flow decisions matter more than ever,” Kok said.

“SBF’s latest Enterprise Financing Survey shows that enterprises need more than capital alone, they also need clearer guidance to understand financing options, connect with the right partners, and plan for sustainable growth.”

The establishment of CEFA aligns with Singapore’s longer-term ambition to strengthen its position as a regional business, financing and innovation hub while supporting SMEs through digital transformation, internationalisation and sustainability transitions.

The initiative may also become increasingly relevant as Southeast Asian businesses navigate rising demand for green financing, AI-led transformation investments and more sophisticated cross-border capital solutions.

SBF represents more than 34,000 businesses across multiple sectors in Singapore, while Enterprise Singapore continues to drive capability building, innovation and internationalisation efforts for local enterprises.