Core Insights - Singapore's manufacturing output grew by 3.9% year-on-year in May, marking 11 consecutive months of growth, but the growth rate has slowed compared to previous months, indicating a shift in growth dynamics within the manufacturing sector [1][5] Manufacturing Sector Performance - The transportation engineering sector showed the most significant growth, increasing by 25.6% year-on-year, with aerospace benefiting from a 43.6% increase due to rising maintenance and repair demands [1] - Conversely, the land transport sector declined by 12.0%, attributed to changes in the global automotive market and structural adjustments within Singapore's land transport industry [1] - The precision engineering sector experienced a robust growth of 10.3%, driven by increased demand for semiconductor and measurement equipment, with the machinery and systems segment growing by 12.3% [1] Electronics Industry - The electronics sector's output also grew by 3.9% year-on-year, with the information and communication technology and consumer electronics segments performing strongly, increasing by 42.6% [2] - However, the computer peripherals and data storage segments saw declines of 18.7% and 20.8%, respectively, indicating rapid market changes and technological updates within the electronics industry [2] Traditional Manufacturing Challenges - Traditional manufacturing faced significant challenges, being the only sector to decline, with an overall decrease of 8.9% year-on-year. While the printing industry grew by 2.2%, other areas saw declines, particularly miscellaneous industries, which dropped by 16.6% [2] Factors Affecting Manufacturing Growth - The fluctuations in the biopharmaceutical manufacturing sector have impacted overall manufacturing growth, with a more stable growth rate of 4.9% when excluding this sector [3] - Global economic uncertainties, including trade tensions and geopolitical issues, have affected external demand for Singapore's manufacturing, potentially limiting growth opportunities [3][4] - Ongoing industrial restructuring and upgrading efforts by the Singapore government aim to enhance competitiveness and value addition, but traditional sectors may face challenges during this transition [4] Future Outlook - Despite the slowdown in growth and sectoral disparities, there are opportunities for Singapore's high-tech manufacturing to thrive amid global technological advancements [5] - However, challenges remain due to increased global economic uncertainties, protectionist measures, and intensified market competition, which could impact external demand and industry positioning [5]