Businesses sputter as haze comes with bill

As the city gasped for air yesterday, the economic fallout of the haze threatened to choke businesses. For observers, however, this is set to be part of the cost of doing business. "At the end of day, it's not about contracts . . . it's about doing the right thing. We are facing not just higher absolute cost, but reputation and confidence costs," said SMU Vice President (Business Development and External Relations) Associate Professor Annie Koh.