29/07/2026
The Government announced on 29 Jul that it has enhanced the Enterprise Financing Scheme (EFS) from Sept 2026 to Mar 2027 to help local SMEs gain better access to financing during a period of rising business costs.
Under the enhanced scheme:
1) SME Working Capital Loan
Government risk-sharing increases from 50% to 70%, helping SMEs secure financing for day-to-day operating expenses such as payroll, rent, inventory and working capital.
2) Project Loan
Government risk-sharing also increases from 50% to 70%.
Coverage is expanded beyond overseas projects to include eligible domestic construction projects, giving local construction firms greater access to financing.
3) New SME Cash Grant 2026
To help businesses cope with rising costs, the Government will also introduce a one-off SME Cash Grant from November 2026.
SMEs with at least one local employee will receive $500 per local employee, capped at $2,500 per business.
Eligible sole proprietorships, partnerships and LLPs with at least one local business owner but no local employees will receive a flat $500 payout.
Why This Matters to Business Owners:
Many business owners see “70% Government risk-share” and wonder what it actually means.
Simply put, the Government will take on a larger share of the lending risk, giving banks greater confidence to lend out to eligible SMEs.
This can benefit businesses in several ways:
- Higher chance of securing financing.
- Better opportunities for SMEs with borderline credit profiles.
- Easier access to working capital for growth and day-to-day operations.
- A limited-time opportunity to secure financing while the enhanced support is available.
The SME Cash Grant also provides immediate financial relief to help offset operating costs, allowing businesses to better manage cash flow.
Do note that loan approval is still not guaranteed. Lenders will continue to assess factors such as cash flow, profitability, repayment ability and the overall financial health of your business.
If you’re planning to expand, invest or strengthen your cash flow, this temporary support could be a good opportunity to review your financing options before the enhanced EFS ends in March 2027.