singaporebusiness sentiment in singapores manufacturing sector remains positive for the october to march period despite the covid19 situation and pressure on supply chains the singapore economic development board said friday overall a net weighted 16 of manufacturers anticipate a favorable business situation for the period compared with the third quarter the edb said a weighted 22 of manufacturers expect better business conditions while a weighted 6 foresee a weaker business outlook within the manufacturing sector the electronics cluster is the most optimistic with a net weighted 27 of companies expecting a better business situation in the octobermarch period compared with the third quarter the edb said this optimism is mostly led by the semiconductors segment which continues to expect robust demand from the 5g market cloud services and data centers a net weighted 24 of companies in the transportengineering cluster anticipate an improved operating environment companies in the aerospace segment expect higher volume of maintenance repair and overhaul with more countries easing international travel restrictions in the precisionengineering cluster a net weighted 10 of companies predict favorable business prospects the edb said strong global semiconductor demand continues to drive optimism among companies in the metal stamping bonding wire and metal precision component industries within the precision modules and components segment a net weighted 8 of companies in the general manufacturing industries cluster expect a positive business outlook while a net weighted 3 of companies in the chemicals cluster project weaker business conditions in the period compared with the third quarter meanwhile a weighted 71 of manufacturers expect the employment level in the fourth quarter to be similar to the third quarters overall a net weighted 11 of manufacturers project a larger workforce the edb said