SINGAPORE (THE BUSINESS TIMES) - Some 57.3 per cent of Singapore businesses surveyed saw their costs rise this year, nearly double the 28.8 per cent who did so last year. Of those who reported higher costs, about three-quarters said that their costs were up by 25 per cent. The survey also flagged rising business costs as the biggest concern among businesses, followed by availability of suitable manpower and pandemic-related restrictions. Conducted between June 10 and Aug 11, the annual survey by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) garnered feedback from 1,058 businesses, of which 92 per cent were small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Most were in the services sector, while others were in manufacturing and construction. Sentiment on financial performance remained depressed, albeit improved from last year. Some 47.2 per cent of businesses were projecting a decline in their revenue for 2021. This was down from the 80.3 per cent of firms that projected revenue decreases last year. But a sizeable 40 per cent of businesses were expecting losses for this year. Of this group, close to half of them said that their losses would be greater than last year's. Fir...