Low Yen Ling
Singapore
“I want to thank Member Cai Yinzhou for the clarification. As far as his historic district is concerned, I want to assure him that the new Place-making Project Office that comes under the Inter-agency Task Force does indeed not only serve Kampong Gelam, Little India, but also Chinatown.”
“A "we first" society needs an active citizenry working together to realise it. When corporates, community groups, and individuals come together, we will be able to create a harmonious, united and progressive home and society that belong to us.”
“I want to thank Member Mr Andre Low. In my earlier speech, I have also responded very succinctly. I want to assure him, as well as Mr Melvin Yong, I think you touch on very similar issues, and you probably heard from the political office holders speaking at the Ministry of Home Affairs COS about their tough stance against scams.”
“Finally, Government agencies, not just MTI, EDB and Enterprise Singapore, under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, will continue to create a pro-business, pro-people environment, building a business environment based on integrity.”
“— family business, as well as the other one on TACs. On family businesses, I want to assure him that earlier on, when we mentioned that we raised the support level for SMEs and non-SMEs and indeed, many of our multi-generational family businesses are in that category.”
“And since the Member asked, price obviously is an important indicator. Another example is if CCS observes the behaviour of the organisations and if we pick up signals that they are coordinating the behaviour to raise prices, to reduce quality, to reduce output, to reduce innovation, CCS will step in.”
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“Essentially, these six categories are identified based on two key considerations. Number one, what would be the energy efficient technologies behind, whether it is the cooker, hob, refrigerators and so on. And the other one will be based on the High Efficiency Rating by NEA's mandatory energy labelling scheme. I want to assure the Member that, for any SME clients that have other equipment and would like to apply, the applicants may suggest other kinds of equipment or even technology within this six supportable categories that has higher or similar level of energy efficiency. We would like to invite them to make the submission to apply for the review and we certainly will evaluate accordingly. Rest assured that MTI, ESG, in fact, together with EMA, as well as our colleagues in NEA and MSE, we are very committed to supporting our SMEs across various sectors to embark on their sustainability journey, be it at the system level, or be it taking the first few steps by adopting energy efficient equipment.”
“They will help them provide energy audits, because you need to start with knowing how much energy you are consuming, the whole of the organisation, your production lines and so on. They will also help SMEs build up their local energy efficiency capabilities. And if the SME has Research Scientist Engineers (RSE), they can also work in tandem with them to upskill their engineers and practitioners in energy efficiency. On the Member's second question about why the six, can we go beyond the six categories? Allow me to take a step back and share why the three sectors, and then, why these six categories? In MTI and ESG, we have been working very closely with our industries, with our SMEs, across all sectors and we know that in the last nine months, it has been difficult, in particular, our SMEs in the food services, food manufacturing and the retail sectors. We know that they tend to have a larger electricity component in their overall business costs. So, we want to help them to see how to manage that and become more competitive and bring the business costs down. This is why, we are going to roll out the Energy Efficiency Grant (EEG), the SMEs in these three sectors can apply for the EEG starting 1 September 2022 to 31 March 2023. Now, this grant will allow the SMEs in these three sectors to obtain a support of up to 70% to adopt energy efficiency equipment in the pre-approved categories that I have mentioned. Why pre-approved? Because we work very closely with NEA's licensing department to pre-approve the equipment, so that the SME applicants will be able to adopt this energy efficient appliances and equipment readily, very quickly and easily as well. Let me share with you how we work with NEA to qualify the equipment.”
“I want to thank the Member, Mr Edward Chia, for his two supplementary questions. And I want to assure him that MTI and ESG are very committed to work with the other Ministries and agencies to support our SMEs, to make the green transformation at the system level for those who are prepared to do so. But we also recognise that there are some SMEs who need to take the first baby steps and this is why we have the Energy Efficiency Grant. The EEG is one of the latest schemes amongst the suite of many other measures – between MTI, MSE, NEA and so on – we have in place to support our businesses to become more energy-efficient. I want to assure him that we are committed to help our SMEs in their sustainability journey. And that is why, over the past few years, in particular, we have rolled out many schemes and measures that supports our SMEs to make the green transformation at system level, be it acquiring expertise, skills, technology or even capability. So, for example, for SMEs that are building owners, they will be able to apply for the BCA's Green Mark Incentive Scheme for Existing Buildings 2.0 (GMIS-EB 2.0), because this provides building owners, including SMEs, with co-funding support of up to 50% to help them to retrofit and to help them raise the energy performance of their building. So, we have that for SMEs that are prepared to go upstream to really embark on their sustainability journey at the system level. Other than that, for our industrial SMEs, if they are keen to also go upstream and make a system level green transformation and they do not quite know what to do, they can approach EETC. This is a collaboration between NEA and one of our Autonomous University (AU), Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT). So, what can they do for the SMEs?”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, the Energy Efficiency Grant supports and encourages local SMEs in the food services, food manufacturing and retail sectors to invest in energy-efficient equipment in six categories: namely LED lighting, air-conditioners, cooking hobs, refrigerators, water heaters and clothes dryers. We have focused on these six categories of equipment because they tend to be energy intensive and are used for long hours. The types of equipment supported under each category are selected based on technologies that have been identified as energy-efficient or have high-efficiency ratings, under NEA's Mandatory Energy Labelling Scheme. I want to assure the Members that in the coming months, EnterpriseSG (ESG) will be working very closely with the industry, seeking industry feedback on the Energy Efficiency Grant (EEG) as part of our ongoing engagements with the industry, Trade Associations and Chambers. We certainly encourage companies to adopt a "total solution" approach towards energy efficiency, as suggested by the Member. NEA's Energy Efficiency Fund (EEF) provides support for companies in the manufacturing sector, including the integration of resource-efficient designs into new facilities and the installation of energy management information systems. In addition, SMEs can also tap on affordable energy assessments that is offered by the Energy Efficiency Technology Centre (EETC), which is a collaboration between NEA and the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), to help them make informed decisions on the kind of measures to take to improve their energy efficiency. We welcome suggestions on how we can further help our SMEs become more energy efficient. Together, we can make the Singapore economy more sustainable.”
“I want to thank the Member, Mr Don Wee, for his two supplementary questions. The MTI review will cover how the global developments as well as the practices of our fuel retail operators have led to the pricing trends seen so far. To support this study, CCCS has gotten in touch with the retail fuel operators for data on the fuel price movements. I want to use this opportunity to assure everyone in the House that the Government continues to ensure that we have a conducive and also competitive business environment where consumers have options, choices and are able to enjoy competitive prices. At the same time, we will also maintain our efforts to make sure there is price transparency for our consumers. For instance, the Fuel Kaki website not only helps consumers to compare prices among the fuel retailers but also allows them to estimate the effective price per litre that they pay, after factoring in loyalty programmes and promotions. If the findings of the review suggest that there are ways to improve the fuel retail market, I want to assure the Member that the Government is, certainly, open to consider all measures that could enhance the effectiveness of the fuel retail market. Rest assured that the Government is committed to ensuring a competitive fuel retail market. 3.00 pm”
“In addition, the Government is also providing targeted assistance to the groups hardest hit by rising fuel costs. Last month, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced support measures for self-employed persons whose livelihoods depend on their vehicles. Eligible taxi main hirers and private hire car drivers will receive a one-off relief of $150 next month. Drivers of combi buses and limousines who are members of the National Private Hire Vehicle Association, as well as delivery drivers and delivery motorcycle riders who are members of the National Delivery Champions Association can apply for a one-off cash relief of up to $300 next month under the NTUC U FSE Relief Scheme 2022. The Government will review the fuel retail market to determine if there are other ways to alleviate the pressure on fuel prices. We will continue to monitor the situation and will not hesitate to provide more assistance if required.”
“Global crude oil prices have risen significantly, driven by higher demand as economies reopen following the pandemic as well as constrained supplies due to sanctions against Russia and under-investment in fossil fuel production over the years. Fuel prices in Singapore have also risen in tandem. In response to Ms Joan Pereira's question, retail pump operators, including cooperatives, which wish to supply fuel to independent motorists will need to operate at sites that are suitable for such purpose, including the need to comply with prevailing environmental, fire safety and other requirements. Such sites are identified and then allocated via competitive tender from time to time. So, a cooperative may not be able to offer lower pump prices unless they can secure lower-cost supplies. In response to Mr Don Wee's question, regulating or capping petrol or diesel pump prices will distort the market and serve to benefit car owners, especially those who consume more, who may include more well-to-do users. It will also reduce the incentive for Singaporeans to switch to more energy-efficient modes of transport. Instead, the Government's approach is to ensure that we have a competitive fuel retail market. I want to assure all Members and the House that the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) monitors the fuel market closely and will not hesitate to investigate the practices of the retail operators. We will take firm enforcement actions against any anti-competitive behaviour. I would also like to encourage motorists to make good use of the Fuel Kaki website, developed by the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE), to compare the effective price of petrol and diesel across retailers, including the various discounts and rebates being offered.”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, can I have your permission to take Question Nos 18 and 19 together?”
“The SSOs will continue to exercise flexibility to provide those in need with financial assistance and support. This includes providing ComCare recipients with more cash assistance during this period to cope with inflationary pressures. We will, certainly, continue to monitor the situation closely.”
“The Government will continue to adopt a multi-pronged approach of import diversification, local production and stockpiling, which will help to minimise supply shocks. Nonetheless, as the lockdowns in China have further strained global supply chains, which are already under stress due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, they are likely to exacerbate global inflationary pressures in the near term. How the effects play out over the longer term will depend on the scale and extent of the lockdowns and their impact on China's economy. The Government recognises that rising cost pressures and higher frequency of supply disruptions have affected businesses. To cope with these challenges, some businesses have had to hold higher inventory buffers which will require more working capital. To support companies with their cashflow needs, we had announced at Budget 2022 an extension of the Temporary Bridging Loan (TBL) programme and the enhanced Trade Loan Scheme up to 30 September 2022. In addition, the three rounds of tightening of Singapore's monetary policy over the past six months should also help moderate the pass-through effects of external inflationary pressures. Furthermore, the Government has announced more assistance for lower-income households to cope with higher prices. As the Minister for Finance mentioned in his Ministerial Statement just last month on 4 April 2022 in Parliament, the Social Service Offices, or SSOs, will provide a minimum duration of six months' support for all new ComCare Short- to Medium-Term Assistance (SMTA) clients who apply between April and September this year. Households which are already on ComCare SMTA can also have their assistance extended for at least another three months, if they require further help.”
“Mr Speaker, the recent outbreaks of COVID-19 cases in China have prompted movement controls to be imposed in various Chinese cities, including Shanghai. As a major supplier of many goods to the world, the reduction in economic activity in China will, inevitably, lead to some supply chain disruptions, particularly delays in the fulfilment of manufacturing orders and shipping time. However, cargo is still able to leave from Shanghai port and, where necessary, is being redirected to other ports in China or other transport modes, such as air. Industries in Singapore will feel the impact of the supply chain disruptions to varying degrees, depending on their dependence on imported supplies from China and their contingency plans. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, many companies have strengthened their business continuity plans (BCPs) and supply chain resilience plans, which include holding more inventory buffers and diversifying their supplier sources to mitigate the impact of supply disruptions. Our key imports from China include electronics, machinery and metals. These are, primarily, intermediate goods that are required by companies in the manufacturing and construction sectors. Based on feedback from companies in these sectors, we understand that most of them have been able to cope with the delays in shipments from China thus far. We also do not expect the lockdowns in the Shanghai port to significantly affect Singapore's supplies of essential food and healthcare items, as our reliance on China is relatively low and the cities where we import most of our food supplies are not classified as high risk ones for now.”
“These are fundamental values that will help us forge a Singapore where women and men stand as equals and where we each have the chance to realise our dreams and aspirations. With this, Mr Speaker, Sir, I support the Motion. [Deputy Speaker (Ms Jessica Tan Soon Neo) in the Chair] 7.10 pm”
“Personal protective equipment (PPE), such as helmets, gloves and safety goggles used in worksites, and so on, need to also cater to the sizes and shapes of women for better fit and protection, instead of being uniformly designed, based on the requirements of males. To this end, Enterprise Singapore (ESG) and the Singapore Standards Council have recently developed a new gender strategy. It will be implemented across all committees under the Singapore Standards Council, such as biomedical and health, building and construction and quality and safety. Our efforts are aligned with the vision of the International Organisation for Standardisation and their "Gender Action Plan". Apart from developing gender-responsive standards, the Gender Strategy also seeks to increase women representation in the development of standards and raise awareness of their contributions. So, I would like to use this platform to encourage and urge women with relevant industry experience to contribute their views and expertise to this important work of national standardisation. The ESG website has more details on how the public can participate with their feedback. We hope that in the near future, the products, services and procedures in Singapore will be increasingly gender-responsive. As addressing the unique needs of women become more a norm rather than an exception, our society will be one where men and women are recognised and treated as equal partners. Mr Speaker, Sir, on our journey to build a fairer and more inclusive society, it is vital to have mutual respect and partnership between both sexes, taking care of each other, giving every person a fair shot at success and ensuring that there is equal protection for men and women alike.”
“Second, the Safe Sport Commission has established a central case management service to provide a channel for reporting incidents of misconduct. In addition, there is a network of counsellors and befrienders to provide psychosocial support for affected individuals. Third, we will be establishing a Disciplinary Panel to hear and review allegations of misconduct under the Unified Code. The Panel will decide on the appropriate penalties and sanctions to be imposed on alleged perpetrators. Fourth, we will continue to educate the sporting community and public on the Safe Sport Unified Code. The online learning portal, "SportSG-ED" has specific modules for coaches and athletes to learn about their roles and responsibilities in sports. Last but not least, the Safe Sport Programme is testament to our zero-tolerance approach towards any misconduct that threatens the safety of our sporting environment. Sir, every woman athlete deserves to freely play, practise and compete in a respectful and safe environment. By upholding the standards of the Unified Code, we can keep our sporting environment healthy and positive for all athletes, especially women. Apart from setting respectful standards of behaviour in sports, we are also developing and upholding "gender-responsive standards" in our society. This means setting standards for products, services and procedures that consider and cater to the needs of both genders, including those of women. Let me give Members an example. In the past two years, we have to use masks. Some of us have to use personal protective equipment (PPE). Certainly, our healthcare workers.”
“Although my caregiving journey for my late father 12 years ago can be considered a short one compared to others, I know how strenuous and stressful it can be because, each day, while my late father was in the ICU and it was a total period of 10 weeks, we oscillated between hope and despair as we kept watch over him 24 hours a day over that 10-week period. Many caregivers go through the roller-coaster emotions on the road of caregiving. Having a network of support from fellow caregivers and care services will strengthen their resilience quickly. With greater respect and partnership in caregiving, men and women can contribute towards this important role which cannot afford to be neglected, else society and our families may suffer. The Government will spare no effort to boost and bolster new structures of support and create new solutions to meet the needs of our caregivers. With greater community support, we hope no caregiver will walk the journey alone. Just as how we are empowering and equipping caregivers, we are enabling women to have the freedom and security to excel in sports by providing them safe sporting environments. During the Conversations, participants had expressed their desire for clear guidelines and measures to deter harassment and misconduct in the sporting arena. Since then, the Safe Sport Commission has, over a nine-month consultative process, developed a Safe Sport Unified Code to enhance the protection of women in sports. This exercise involved key stakeholders, like sportswomen, psychologists and non-profit organisations. First, the Code has set out a common reference point and understanding of what constitutes misconduct, abuse and harassment in sport.”
“Volunteers who wish to be part of this effort can go to the C2C, which is the Caregivers-to-Caregivers training programme, to have a better understanding of the kind of mental health challenges that caregivers face. Second, we will boost help for caregivers of persons with disabilities. Through the Alliance for Action (AfA) on Caregivers of Persons with Disabilities, NCSS and SG Enable will collaborate with community partners to create a buddy programme that pairs experienced caregivers with new ones. For example, the mother of a five-year-old boy with autism, Mdm Feng, tells us that she has benefited from the valuable experience, advice and tips of other parents of children with special needs. They taught Mdm Feng how to use simple occupational therapy (OT) exercises to help her child. Third, we will co-create new solutions to cater to the needs of caregivers so that they can be better supported in their caregiving journey. NCSS and Montfort Care are leading the Caregiver Community Lab project. It brings together caregivers, residents and community partners to ideate and co-create solutions. The project was first piloted in Radin Mas and will now be expanded to Tanjong Pagar. Besides synergising the efforts in the two estates, this initiative seeks to better understand the barriers that our caregivers face in accessing support services and take steps to address the obstacles. Sir, caregiving is a tough and often long journey that can take a toll on one's mental and physical health.”
“First, we will uplift caregivers, many of whom are women, by working closely with the community to lighten their load; second, we will ensure the protection of women in sports; and third, we will develop national standards for products, services and procedures to better reflect the needs of women. Today, while women have made headway in terms of greater equality at work and in society, a disproportionate gap persists when it comes to caregiving. Women are still the ones holding the fort in caregiving and shouldering the heavier load. Although there is growing recognition of the need to balance this disequilibrium, it takes time to change long-held gender role stereotypes. Meanwhile, we must do all we can to support caregivers and women who carry out the tough work of caregiving. In the course of our Conversations in the past one-and-a-half years, many participants had suggested tapping on the "kampung spirit" to better support our caregivers, for instance, creating a community buddy system where caregivers can check in with one another and offer emotional support. Let me elaborate on how we will enhance support for caregivers. We will partner the community to push out three key initiatives to uplift and support caregivers. Firstly, community-based peer support networks. From next month onwards, PA, NCSS and SG Cares Volunteer Centres will work with Caregiver Alliance Limited to link caregivers of persons with mental health conditions together to form networks of mutual support. This will help reinforce ground support for this group of caregivers who are especially vulnerable to burnout.”
“Mr Speaker, today, in this House, we witness a historic milestone in the making of a fairer and more inclusive Singapore. As a nation, we will stride decisively ahead to realise greater equality between women and men. This is an important move to advance Singapore women’s development to higher levels. Although much has been achieved since the 1961 Women’s Charter, there is more to be done. For instance, women today still take the lion’s share of caregiving duties and many Members have talked about it during their speeches. And some of the common products that we use on a daily basis are made based on men’s requirements, without addressing the needs of women users. But this is changing and will continue to evolve with the plans that are put forth by the White Paper. The paper reflects the manifold voices and collective aspirations of Singaporeans, both women and men alike. We hope the paper’s 25 Action Plans will not only improve the lives of Singapore women, but, as a whole, advance our society. Since the start of the Conversations in September 2020, I have had the chance to speak with many Singaporeans of different ages and from all walks of life – from youths and working professionals, caregivers and educators, to corporate and business leaders, as well as our unionists. Among the diverse views of nearly 6,000 participants of the Conversations, one strong common wish was for Singapore to build a fairer and more inclusive society, where men and women partner each other as equals, and pursue their aspirations freely and to the fullest. To this end, let me share how three key action plans in the White Paper will uplift, protect and reflect the interests of Singapore women.”
“Preservation of more national monuments and the successful inscription of our hawker culture on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage have also engendered greater public recognition of the value of heritage in our everyday lives. As the next step, NAC and NHB will broaden their consultations this year and continue their conversations with Singaporeans and partners from various fields as we co-create the next editions of Our SG Arts and Heritage Plans, so as to contribute to the creative economy and safeguard and promote Singapore's multicultural heritage. (In English): Mdm Chairman, MCCY and our agencies remain committed to working with the arts and culture community to revitalise our arts and culture sector and chart its future directions. As we build on the gains that we have made together over the past two years, we will carve an exciting journey ahead towards a thriving and sustainable arts and culture ecosystem – one that enriches livelihoods, unites our people and enlivens our city. [Applause.]”
“Firstly, we will support the heritage sector's digital adoption and develop capabilities to transform their operations and efforts in connecting Singaporeans to our heritage; second, we will also showcase Singapore's rich multicultural heritage beyond our shores to grow new audiences and markets for our heritage sector, while, at the same time, learning from the best in the world to develop our home talents; thirdly, we will work closely with our local communities as well as heritage enthusiasts and partners in the tech and creative industries to celebrate our unique local histories. We invite all Singaporeans to share your views and feedback for Our SG Heritage Plan 2.0 when NHB launches the public call in the middle of this year. Mdm Chairman, in Mandarin, please. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Developing our local arts and heritage sectors enhances Singapore's vibrancy and attractiveness as a global city. Further, art pieces and heritage assets that resonate with Singaporeans will also strengthen our sense of belonging and help build a more cohesive and inclusive society. MCCY will strive to achieve these goals by continuing with our SG Arts and Heritage Plans. Since the launch of Our SG Arts Plan in 2018, we have profiled Singapore arts through signature arts platforms, forged community partnerships and brought arts across 20 arts and cultural nodes. This strengthens community involvement, including preschoolers, students with special needs and the elderly, ensuring that our arts scene becomes more inclusive and benefits more people. On the other hand, Our SG Heritage Plan, which was launched in 2018, has also allowed Singaporeans to rediscover and affirm their shared heritage.”
“First, we will strengthen the role of the arts in the wider local and global creative economy; second, we will develop further ways for the arts to contribute to deepening our national identity, social cohesion and inclusivity; third, make the arts a distinctive factor that adds to Singapore's attractiveness as a global city. NAC welcomes feedback and ideas from the sector to refine Our SG Arts Plan 2.0. A public consultation will be conducted in the second part of this year. Let me now turn to Our SG Heritage Plan which has, since 2018, enabled Singaporeans to rediscover and affirm our shared values and identity through diverse offerings and multiple touchpoints. Our museums are now more accessible through digital initiatives and offerings that reach out to a larger audience. Seniors can now enjoy age-friendly programmes under the Silver Hubs initiative, while programmes under HeritageCares also reach out to lower-income families, persons with disabilities, children with special needs as well as youths-at-risk. Heritage is being infused into everyday spaces around us through the Street Corner Heritage Galleries scheme. Our Tampines Gallery, Kreta Ayer Heritage Gallery and Geylang Serai Heritage Gallery have all enlivened local communities. Following NHB's consultations with a diverse range of stakeholders that include insights from our museum community, youth, creatives, heritage societies and heritage business owners, NHB is drawing up plans for Our SG Heritage Plan 2.0.”
“For example, Mr Timothy de Souza is keen to share his personal mementoes as one of Singapore's first fighter pilots. We look forward to rich and interesting contributions from all Singaporeans. Madam, looking ahead, MCCY will build upon the foundation and progress made by Our SG Arts Plan in 2018. Mr Sitoh Yih Pin would be glad to know that, today, our arts sector includes diverse talents who collaborate and create new arts experiences for audiences in Singapore and beyond, including the under-reached groups mentioned by Ms Janet Ang and Mr Mark Chay. Through signature arts festival platforms, such as SAW, which I mentioned earlier, Singapore International Festival of Arts and the Singapore Writers Festival, we have brought together diverse players in the local arts ecosystem, grown a strong audience base and profiled Singapore arts globally. Community partnerships have been forged across 20 Arts and Culture nodes, bringing people of different backgrounds together through the arts. Arts education has also been enhanced with experiential, cohort-based learning programmes to museums and concert halls, as well as digital content. Arts offerings are more inclusive than before, with support for quality arts experiences for our preschoolers, as well as students with special needs. Since July 2021, NAC has held conversations with around 400 stakeholders in one-on-one interviews and also focus group discussions on the future of the arts for Singapore. Building on these insights, we are developing Our SG Arts Plan 2.0 to set the stage for the next phase of our arts development.”
“For example, our Chingay Parade, the Making and Sharing of Kueh, Peranakan Beadwork and Embroidery, Orchid Cultivation and Yusheng, just to name a few. NHB will broaden its consultations over the course of the coming months to engage more stakeholders, as well as the general public, before a final decision is made on the element to be nominated. Mdm Chairman, our museums showcase our valuable heritage and I am glad to update that, come this December, families and young children can look forward to a dynamic and engaging experience at the new Children's Museum Singapore (CMSG), in what used to be the Singapore Philatelic Museum. 5.15 pm Ms Janet Ang spoke passionately about the importance of arts and culture for the young, and we agree with her. The CMSG will feature a range of topics, including Singapore's history and biodiversity, and help foster a stronger awareness of our shared values and national identity in our young children. In another development, following extensive consultations with the community, the Peranakan Museum will reopen in 2023, with an expanded curatorial focus on the rich cross-cultural traditions and distinctive arts of the Peranakan communities in Southeast Asia. Besides looking forward to the CMSG and Peranakan Museum, Singaporeans can all play a part in shaping an important reflection of our heritage – the Founders' Memorial. Next month, NHB will launch the Founders' Memorial "Share Your Story, Shape Our Memorial" Travelling Exhibition. Besides an update on the Memorial's architectural design, the travelling exhibition will provide the public a chance to share artefacts and stories related to key national policies or milestones, or their encounters with our founding leaders.”
“NAC will seek views from the arts community on the use of these spaces in the first half of this year. Madam, many of these cultural spaces are located at sites with a long history. Our built heritage connects us to the nation's past, like what Mr Sitoh Yih Pin mentioned, and forms a part of our cultural identity. Mr Sitoh Yih Pin will be glad to know that MCCY is continuing to safeguard and celebrate Singapore's shared heritage. One important aspect of this work involves the heritage impact assessment (HIA) framework, which Minister for National Development Mr Desmond Lee had shared earlier at MND's COS. MCCY and NHB will continue to support MND and URA in implementing the HIA framework. The framework further strengthens how public agencies must thoroughly evaluate the heritage significance of a site as an important consideration in the early stage of planning for development projects. Our rich heritage is also a source of national pride. All Singaporeans celebrated when our hawker culture was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in December 2020. Last year, at the COS, I shared that we would embark on consultations to identify possible elements for Singapore's second UNESCO intangible cultural heritage nomination. Between June 2021 and January 2022, NHB held Focus Group Discussions with approximately 170 participants, comprising intangible cultural heritage practitioners, heritage business owners, academics and youths, to hear their views and their thoughts and suggestions. Through these conversations, we heard a clear preference for our second nomination to be multicultural in nature and relatable to Singaporeans. A total of 10 possible elements have been suggested through these consultations.”
“NAC has observed some enterprising SEPs, especially in the last two years, developing artist-business partnership and testing new ways to work with enterprises working on sustainability solutions. NAC will support SEPs to push boundaries and contribute to the broader creative economy, as well as to collaborate with one another and new partners – such as local businesses – from other sectors in new and innovative ways. We encourage our SEPs to make full use of the available grants to sustain their practices, collaborate on new initiatives and develop new capabilities. We look forward to our SEPs' continued contribution to Singapore's arts and culture. Madam, besides developing our people, MCCY is also working closely with the sector to strengthen our cultural infrastructure for artists and creatives to incubate, to experiment and to collaborate. One of the newest additions to this growing pool is the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) at Tanjong Pagar Distripark (TPD). I visited SAM at TPD just two months ago with Minister Edwin Tong in January for the 10th edition of the Singapore Art Week (SAW) 2022 and we saw for ourselves how a former industrial warehouse was turned into a fascinating location for experimental exhibitions and programmes. The TPD welcomed more than 17,000 visitors during SAW 2022 and its unique large space allowed the public to be immersed in various arts and culture experiences in a very engaging manner. Another exciting development is also taking place at Kampong Java. NAC is partnering the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) to refurbish and pilot arts and culture sandbox spaces at 52 to 56 Kampong Java. These venues that I have mentioned will offer our artists of various disciplines an affordable space to focus on their experimental and creative process.”
“For instance, an independent producer, Ms Nurhafezhah Maznan, created a structured programme for eight young theatre directors to learn from 17 artists and other creatives on how to direct works in Malay and Tamil. We will continue to deepen our support for SEPs by incorporating the SEPG into NAC's existing Presentation and Participation (P&P) and Capability Development (CD) grants. Ms Tin Pei Ling will be glad to know that, through this move, priority will be given to grant applications initiated by or targeted at SEPs. In addition, we are committed to creating conditions in the arts and culture sector for livelihoods to thrive, with targeted support for SEPs. First, we will increase opportunities for capacity development for SEPs. To this end, NAC will raise greater awareness of the skills and competencies that our SEPs need to help them make informed choices for their career progression. NAC will also work with partners to mount training courses in new and emerging areas, such as e-pedagogy and digital arts education programme development, for arts instructors. Second, NAC will work with industry partners to ensure better protection and working conditions for our SEPs. NAC will promote the adoption of best practices among organisations which engage SEPs – from the signing of formal contracts to improving contractual obligations between the parties and recognising our SEPs for their skills and contributions. For example, our national cultural institutions have adopted the Tripartite Standards on Contracting with SEPs since 2018. Third, NAC will pilot new ways for SEPs to create value in the arts sector and beyond.”
“We will empower the sector to leverage digital technologies to pursue new artistic, cultural and business opportunities. Through digitalisation, the sector can enhance their existing revenue streams, as well as improve productivity and organisational effectiveness. We recently launched the Arts and Culture Digital Roadmap on 28 February to equip and enhance the digital journey of our arts and culture organisations and practitioners. They can use the Digital Roadmap, which has a self-assessment checklist, to gauge their level of digital readiness and learn about the range of digital solutions and funding schemes available to businesses, charities and individuals that can support such efforts. As Mr Mark Chay pointed out, we can showcase our unique culture to local, as well as overseas audiences by using more digital content. For instance, Ding Yi Music Company brought their triennial international composition festival called "Composium" online last year, which led to its musicians and the compositions of local composers, such as Cultural Medallion recipients Eric Watson and Law Wai Lun, reaching international audiences. In the coming months, MCCY, NAC and NHB will be engaging our arts and culture organisations and practitioners through roadshows and workshops to promote awareness of the Digital Roadmap. We will also provide tailored support to those who require assistance to digitalise. Details of these efforts will be made available on the websites of all three organisations, once they are ready. Madam, through the Self-Employed Person Grant (SEPG) introduced under the ACRP, Self-employed Persons (SEPs) have engaged in new collaborations.”
“As shared earlier by Minister Edwin Tong, we will be injecting an additional $12 million to sustain good practices and learning points from COVID-19 after the end of the Arts and Culture Resilience Package (ACRP). Let me elaborate. As we continue to adapt and move towards a new normal, we will extend the Venue Hire Subsidy (VHS) for another three months from 1 April 2022 to 30 June 2022, at a stepped-down rate of 30%. This will continue to defray venue hire costs for our practitioners, as we progressively resume activities and welcome back larger audiences. Introduced last year as part of the ACRP, the Organisation Transformation Grant (OTG) has attracted keen interest from arts and culture organisations and practitioners. To sustain support for transformation, NHB will incorporate the OTG into its existing grants, such as the Heritage Research Grant, as well as the Minor and Major Project Grant. Heritage businesses and organisations will be able to benefit from an increased grant amount of up to $40,000, from $30,000 previously, to cater to larger-scale and longer-term projects. The grants will also be open to Business Associations to encourage transformation efforts in our historic districts. Similarly, NAC will launch a new Sector Transformation Fund (STF) to promote and sustain the transformation efforts of our arts and culture community. Projects previously supported under the ACRP OTG that have longer-term potential for further development, can tap on the STF to push ahead and transform. Let me now share how we will boost the sustainability of the arts and culture sector for diverse communities to enjoy, a point passionately highlighted by Ms Janet Ang.”
“Mdm Chairman, in the last two years, MCCY, the National Arts Council (NAC) and the National Heritage Board (NHB) have rolled out wide-ranging measures to safeguard livelihoods, build capabilities and position our arts and culture sector for a strong recovery in the new normal. Kudos to our arts and culture organisations and practitioners – they have responded boldly and creatively to the challenges brought on by the pandemic. Through their craft and artistic contributions, they have provided soothing balm and comfort to us all in a difficult time like this. We are grateful for their resilience and perseverance. Looking ahead, for the year 2022, we will continue to work closely with our arts and culture community to chart our path towards recovery. We will enlarge our longer-term plans with the aims to foster in Singapore a resilient, sustainable and future-ready arts and culture ecosystem that: one, enriches and inspires lives; two, unites us as a nation, with pride in our shared heritage; and three, enhances Singapore's shine as a global city. Today, we look forward to our arts and culture sector recovering even stronger than before from the pandemic. Our practitioners have reached new audiences, created new experiences and enhanced existing capabilities while developing new ones in areas like digital showcases. This is the result of our collective resolve over the last two years as the arts and culture community collaborate and support one another. Mr Sitoh Yih Pin, Ms Tin Pei Ling and Mr Darryl David will be pleased to know that we will do even more to sustain the momentum and enable the sector to build on these gains.”
“In fact, many merchants were very heartened to hear Minister Lawrence Wong announced two weeks ago when he delivered Budget 2022, that, this year, he will roll out another tranche of $130 million in CDC vouchers, which means that every Singaporean household will receive $100 of CDC vouchers under the Household Support Package (HSP). In addition, Minister Lawrence Wong announced that, come January 2023 and come January 2024, each Singaporean household will receive $200 of CDC vouchers as part of the Assurance Package, though for 2023 and 2024, the major supermarkets will be included in the list of participating merchants and hawkers. So, we want to give assurance to Ms Foo Mee Har and Members in the House that in designing products and solutions like these, hand in hand with our HDB shops and our SMEs, if we bear in mind the objective, which is to stimulate demand for their products and services, the CDC Vouchers Scheme has shown – just like the SingapoRediscover Vouchers did – it can bring a multiplier impact to the economy.”
“On 13 December, when the $130 million CDC vouchers were launched by the Prime Minister, we were very, very heartened that within two days, 550,000 households claimed the vouchers; and within 10 days, 830,000 claimed. I believe less than four weeks after the launch, we crossed the one-million mark. More than one million households claimed the vouchers. I just earlier mentioned that to date, 1.1 million Singaporean households have claimed the $100 CDC vouchers. We are happy that over the last two and a half months, we have seen that more than $62 million of CDC vouchers have been spent. MTI and ESG have been working very closely with FMAS and HECS to conduct a survey on how this has supported and turbocharged the market. We are very heartened to hear from our HDB shops, merchants, hawkers saying that since the launch of the CDC vouchers in December – which also coincided with our inaugural Heartlands Festival which was launched on 28 November – it really brought human traffic, the crowd to the neighbourhood centres. It is because we have designed it in such a way that it coincided with the festive period. If you remember – Christmas, year-end and then the Lunar New Year. We have heard from our merchants that, on average, their footfall has increased by 20%. We have heard from the merchants who are participating merchants and hawkers of the CDC Vouchers Scheme that their sales have improved 10%, some 30% and, in some cases, 40%. So, we are very heartened.”
“Thank you, Minister Gan. I thank Ms Foo Mee Har for the questions. Like what Minister Gan has mentioned and if everyone in the House remembers, about a year back, when Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat announced the $130 million CDC vouchers, he cited two objectives. The first objective was to thank fellow Singaporeans for their sense of solidarity during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also highlighted the second objective, which is to stimulate demand for the products and services at our HDB shops and also by our hawkers. We can all agree. In the last two years, our HDB shops and our hawkers have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic because they are the front-facing, consumer-facing businesses. Even though now, although dining has opened up, limited to five persons, certainly, in terms of traffic flow, some may say it is not as busy as before the COVID-19 period but necessarily so because of safe distancing measures. So, in the last nine months, the CDCs have been working with our Government agencies – and allow me to use this platform to thank the whole-of-Government effort in supporting our CDCs. First, a big thank you to GovTech, the Smart Nation and Digital Government Office (SNDGO), IMDA – because we worked with IMDA and their SG Digital Office, with their digital ambassadors to support the onboarding of our HDB shops and our hawkers. This was timely because IMDA and MCI had earlier rolled out Seniors Go Digital and Hawkers Go Digital programmes. By then, many Singaporeans and many hawkers and many seniors are very comfortable using mobile phones to scan a QR code and so on.”
“6% of all Singaporean households, have claimed the CDC vouchers distributed last December, with more than $62 million redeemed. More than 91% of the 14,500 neighbourhood shops and hawker stalls on the scheme have logged at least one voucher transaction. I hope more heartland merchants and hawkers can participate in this programme and benefit from it. Our heartlands are not just places where we can eat and shop, but they are key nodes in our everyday lives where people can have warm and genuine interactions. The Government will continue to work closely with our key partners to create business opportunities for our heartland enterprises, instil vibrancy into the heartlands and build a more cohesive neighbourhood and community together. (In English): Chairman, we have come a long way in our fight against the pandemic. Despite the challenges, the last two years have also brought new opportunities and growth. This has been possible because of our Singapore can-do spirit. Our journey of learning and transformation continues. As long as we are on this path together, we can take courage and strength that we do not walk alone. Together, let us chart our way forward and scale new heights as one Singapore. [Applause.]”
“The package will: one, extend crucial support for businesses in these sectors to improve their productivity and equip them with the capabilities to pivot and transform, so as to stay competitive and relevant; and two, help companies hire and train more locals and optimise their manpower arrangements. When speaking of the Food Services and Retail sectors, we cannot leave out our heartland enterprises. Our heartland enterprises offer a myriad of goods and services at affordable prices, inject vibrancy into our neighbourhoods and offer employment to Singaporeans close to their homes. They are crucial to our economy and our community. 12.30 pm I earlier shared about the Heartlands Go Digital programme as well as the Heartland Visual Merchandising programme. After the introduction of these programmes, we have gathered and listened to feedback from the merchants and merchant associations. After further consultation and planning, ESG and HDB will be launching Our Heartlands 2025, a four-year programme that aims to energise and further the development of our heartland shops. The $50 million Our Heartlands 2025 programme aims to deepen the capabilities of merchants' associations and help heartland shops adopt technology and digitalise. We hope they can innovate and better meet the diversified needs of customers and ever-changing consumer habits, and add to the unique character of our heartlands. The Minister for Finance announced during Budget that we will be committing another $650 million in CDC vouchers, which will be distributed over 2022 to 2024. We hope the CDC vouchers will encourage Singaporeans to patronise neighbourhood shops and help the continuing recovery of our heartland enterprises. To date, 1.1 million households, which is about 90.”
“On that note, we are looking forward to the heartlands attracting more Singaporeans to eat, shop and spend using their Community Development Council (CDC) vouchers. You may recall that about $130 million worth of vouchers were given out just about two months back in December 2021. The Government recently committed another three tranches, which total up to $650 million in CDC vouchers, which will be distributed over 2022 to 2024. To date, more than 1.1 million Singaporean households, which translate to 90.6% of households, have claimed the first tranche of $130 million CDC vouchers and $62 million worth of CDC vouchers have been spent in the last three months. More than 91% of the participating businesses have received CDC voucher transactions. The number of participating outlets in the CDC voucher scheme has grown to more than 14,500. We are very heartened that our heartland merchants and hawkers recognise the benefit of the CDC vouchers and hope that Singaporeans will continue to support our heartland enterprises. Chairman, may I have your permission to say a few words in Mandarin, please? (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Mr Chairman, it has been a difficult two years for our SMEs due to the pandemic. During this time, the Government rolled out many initiatives and support measures not only to help SMEs overcome their operating challenges, but also to encourage all businesses to pursue transformation efforts, boost their productivity and improve their sustainability. We also recognise that some sectors may need additional assistance. We will be introducing the $70 million Food Services and Retail Revitalisation Package to help businesses seize growth opportunities.”
“In addition, we will accelerate our outreach to merchants and encourage them to take up solutions and training in financial and inventory management as well as venture into online sales through other e-commerce vendors and subsidised solutions. Besides digital capabilities, we will widen the reach of the current Heartlands Visual Merchandising Programme to increase their offline capabilities and attract customers and improve sales. Another key thrust of Our Heartlands 2025 programme is to improve and deepen the capabilities of our TAC partners who are active in our heartlands. As I had mentioned earlier, TACs are important partners in helping our enterprises grow and transform. To support the needs of our heartland enterprises and their transformation journey, we will strengthen and develop capabilities of the Federation of Merchants' Associations Singapore (FMAS) and the Heartland Enterprise Centre Singapore (HECS) as well as our local merchants' associations (MAs). This will involve training their secretariat in aspects such as project management, precinct rejuvenation and financial management. We will also support FMAS in launching a shared secretariat for local merchants' associations. This will free up more time and resources for the local merchants' associations to help their member shops adopt solutions to increase their revenue and to improve their efficiency. Chairman, we are committed to helping our heartland shops gear up for the future through Our Heartlands 2025. In the next few years, we hope to see them grow their revenue, boost their operational efficiency and attract new customers into our vibrant heartlands.”
“In fact, more than half – 58% of our heartland enterprises and that translates to about 9,900 heartland enterprises – are now onboard digital channels and onboard e-commerce platforms such as Carousell, Fave, Shopee and have set up a Google My Business page to create an online presence. Think about it. This progress is a great step forward for many of our "mom and pop shops" that were only using cash and operating strictly as a brick-and-mortar store just two years ago before the COVID-19 pandemic. Our heartland enterprises truly deserve our admiration and our praise for their resilience and their can-do spirit. MTI and ESG will build on this momentum to bring our heartland enterprises onto a higher plane and into a brighter future. Enterprise Singapore will be launching a new initiative called Our Heartlands 2025, which we estimate will cost about $50 million to help our heartland enterprises increase revenue, improve their operational efficiency thereby reducing cost and expand their customer base both online and offline. The four-year programme to energise and support heartland shops will seek to: one, deepen the digital and manpower capabilities of our heartland shops; and two, upgrade the capabilities of our TACs. Let me now share some new initiatives under this roadmap. Firstly, deepening digital and manpower capabilities will help businesses diversify their revenue and increase operational efficiency thereby reducing cost. Mr Shawn Huang will be glad to note that under Our Heartlands 2025, we aim to further expand our digitalisation efforts, so that nine in 10 shops will adopt at least one digital solution. Under this new roadmap, heartland enterprises will be equipped progressively via the Heartlands Go Digital programme.”
“For example, do you know that our very own homegrown bakery Bengawan Solo started out in an HDB block at Marine Terrace? Over the years, it has expanded to become a household name, serving both local and international customers. With their affordable rent and ample pool of residents as customers, heartland spaces are ideal incubators for the next generation of notable Singaporean brands. Many budding entrepreneurs have seized this opportunity and have launched their dreams in the heartlands. We can now often find businesses with very fresh and very cool concepts in our neighbourhood, like gourmet burgers or even novel pets. I have come to know Mr Lee Syafiq of Ashes Burnnit. He leads a very young team and he himself is only 30 years old. He and his team serve up delicious gourmet burgers across four hawker centres and coffeeshops in Singapore. We want to do more to nurture and launch fresh waves of entrepreneurs in our very own heartlands. In recent years, heartland enterprises face various challenges arising from changing consumer behaviour and rising competition exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue to work with our partners and not let up in our efforts to help our heartland shops stay competitive and stay relevant. One of the key initiatives that we rolled out in October 2020 was the Heartlands Go Digital (HGD) programme, which aims to help our heartland enterprises respond to the COVID-19 situation and also adapt to new consumption patterns and leverage digital commerce. I am happy to report that as of February 2022, 85% or about 14,500 of our heartland enterprises have adopted e-payment solutions, such as NETS, Fave, Grab and PayNow.”
“So, our job in the CAP will be to look into errant practices that are flagged out by the public and bring to task those who unfairly profiteer using GST increase as a reason. We want to ensure that businesses keep their prices transparent and do not misrepresent the reasons for any of their price increase. The committee will share more details on its work in the coming weeks. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) and its President Mr Melvin Yong for the strong partnership in safeguarding the interests of our consumers. We assure Mr Melvin Yong that we will review the constructive suggestions that he made yesterday to strengthen our consumer protection regime. We will work closely with CASE and the industry to better protect and empower consumers and at the same time, create greater opportunities for businesses in Singapore. Chairman, I would now like to take the opportunity to touch on another important group of businesses, one that is very close to our home, one that is very close to our hearts – our heartland enterprises. Mr Shawn Huang said it very well yesterday during the delivery of his cut. He said that our heartland enterprises are the heartbeat of our community and I completely agree with him because the shops in our heartlands form a central thread of Singapore's social fabric and our everyday lives. Many Singaporeans grew up with these "mom and pop shops". They play an important role in our neighbourhood, providing convenience and affordable goods and services at our doorstep, as well as jobs for Singaporeans near their homes. Our heartland spaces are also fertile ground for the birth and growth of many well-loved local enterprises.”
“We will support secretariat members and TAC leaders nominated by their TACs to attend the TAC Leadership Development Programme, so as to boost their leadership capabilities. Thirdly, to boost the TAC talent pool, SBF will, with support from Enterprise Singapore and SCCCI, develop a TAC Leadership Accelerator Programme. This programme seeks to attract talented, high-performing mid-career professionals with industry-relevant experience to join our TACs and to take industry transformation efforts to a higher plane. To become effective leaders in industry development, the candidates will undergo a mix of classroom training and mentorship programmes and also gain on-the-job experience in the participating TACs. I am very heartened that SBF, as the apex business chamber, has stepped forward as an anchor and advocate for a stronger TAC community to help our businesses grow. More details on the new programmes will be made available this year. Chairman, in the area of partnerships with the industry, MTI is working closely with the different industry representatives to form the Committee Against Profiteering (CAP). I am grateful that many Members of the House welcomed the aims and the work of the CAP that Minister Lawrence Wong announced during the Budget two weeks ago. I want to assure Mr Sharael Taha that CAP will investigate businesses that raise prices of essential products and services unjustifiably using the GST increase as an excuse. I have heard many Members during the Budget debate talk about this and they have rightly pointed out that with the global spectre of inflation, some businesses may have legitimate reasons to raise prices.”
“Because "A", the TACs advocate their members' interests; "B", they help their members by bridging the communications between the members and the Government; and "C", they help their members by collaborating with others, including from other sectors to capture new opportunities for the industry. Two months ago, I attended the launch of the TAC Competency Framework and the TAC Growth Model. I note that Mr Raj Joshua Thomas also highlighted this in his speech yesterday. The Framework and Growth Model were developed by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCCI) with the support of the Singapore Business Federation (SBF), the Enterprise Singapore (ESG) and the SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG). Through this initiative, SCCCI and SBF aim to reach out to at least 150 TACs on upskilling their secretariats, to raise TACs' capabilities and to add value to their business members. I would like to assure Ms Janet Ang, Mr Raj Joshua Thomas and Mr Derrick Goh that this year, the Government will redouble our efforts to uplift TACs by building their capabilities, developing their leadership and also enhancing their talent attraction strategies. I would like to announce three new programmes that aim to uplift TACs' capabilities, especially in digital adoption and leadership development. 12.15 pm Firstly, to help our TACs digitalise, SBF will partner SGTech to launch the Digitalisation of TACs programme or, in short, Digi-TAC. Eligible TACs can access a range of digital solutions and training courses that is curated to equip TAC staff with basic e-capabilities that will help raise their productivity and efficiency. Secondly, SBF will launch a new TAC Fellowship Programme to enable TACs to develop their leaders and build a leadership pipeline.”
“One of them is Bazaar and this is a local startup which offers augmented reality solutions. Bazaar developed gamified wayfinding solutions for Marina Bay Sands to enhance its customer engagement. And beyond the Accelerator Programme, Bazaar is now planning to tap on opportunities in the metaverse to support tourism businesses in developing immersive experiences for their customers. Fifth, we will double down on efforts to upskill the tourism sector workforce to ensure that tourism workers are ready to meet changing job demands. Over the last two years, STB and Workforce Singapore (WSG) supported over 140 tourism companies through various CCPs. This helped more than 1,300 workers take on redesigned and enhanced roles. STB has also set up the Tourism Careers Hub pilot jointly with NTUC and the five main travel Trade Associations and Chambers (TACs) to provide job facilitation, skills training and also, business transformation. Chairman, to complement the suite of support that the Government has directly rolled out to businesses, we will continue to work with partners, such as the TACs. on collective actions to transform and better position our industries for the future. As the eyes, ears and mouth for their members, TACs play an important role in the sectors that they represent and this was a point that was highlighted by many of the Members yesterday – Mr Raj Joshua Thomas, Ms Janet Ang and other Members as well. I am always of the view that the TACs' roles actually can be easily summarised by "ABC". Why?”
“Through this campaign, STB works with hotels, attractions and tour operators to create new products and experiences that appeal not only to Singaporeans but also to visitors when they return to Singapore. For example, the tour operator Let's Go Tour Singapore developed new and unique programmes in the course of the SRV scheme and, as a result, they enjoyed a three-fold jump in their revenue compared to pre-COVID-19 times. STB will continue to engage and also support tourism companies so that Singapore will have a broader and richer range of unique experiences and products that differentiate us from other cities. Third, we will defend our position as a leading destination for high-quality business and leisure events. We hit a "pause" button on these because of COVID-19, but STB is now gearing up to resume large-scale, and also, high-quality business and leisure events from this year. I think Members will remember, just two weeks ago, the Singapore Air Show 2022. It welcomed an estimated 13,000 trade attendees and almost 600 exhibitors from over 39 countries. Later this year, we will welcome many more industry-leading events, such as the Global Health Security Conference 2022, the FIND – Design Fair Asia 2022, as well as the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix and the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon. These events will not only directly benefit the tourism sector but will also ensure that Singapore remains a "top of mind" destination. Fourth, we will continue to co-curate innovative tech and digital solutions with the tourism sector. Over the past three years, STB's Singapore Tourism Accelerator Programme supported 34 promising tech startups in developing solutions to future-proof the tourism industry. Let me quote one example.”
“I am also pleased to update the House and Mr Edward Chia that all Government landlords and major private sector landlords have adopted the Code of Conduct for the Leasing of Retail Premises since 1 June 2021. We can look forward to updates to the Code from the FTIC, which is the Fair Tenancy Industry Committee, in the coming weeks. These updates will then provide us with additional clarity and details on the implementation of the Code as its legal enactment gets underway. Chairman, our tourism sector keeps Singapore connected to the rest of the world and maintains our position as a global-Asia node. COVID-19 has hit the tourism sector very hard. But despite the challenges, we have continued to quickly adapt and pivot to new propositions to come back even stronger. We will continue to support our tourism sector's efforts to recover, innovate and to come back stronger than before. To answer Mr Shawn Huang's questions about our plans to support our tourism sector's recovery, allow me to share some of our strategies and plans. First, Singapore Tourism Board (STB) will accelerate its SingapoReimagine international recovery campaign, in tandem with the resumption of international travel. STB is now working with a wide range of partners around the world, such as airlines, travel agents and media outlets, to maintain Singapore's position as a global-Asia node to attract more travellers here. Second, we will help tourism companies develop attractive new products and experiences. Members will remember the SingapoRediscovers Vouchers (SRV) scheme last year, which generated nearly $300 million in SRV-related bookings and transactions and up to $100 million in ancillary spending. The SRV was part of a larger effort, which is the SingapoRediscovers campaign, which is still ongoing.”
“One of the projects involves the development of a first-of-its-kind automated duck conveyor system, which then helps to cut the preparation time for 1,500 ducks by about one-third. I note that it is 12.00 noon and for me to talk about 1,500 ducks, I think, is very tempting to the Members in the Chamber. But back to this example. With less manual work that is required in the duck preparation process, Dian Xiao Er retrained their staff to take on other roles. What other roles? For example, by taking on duties in their manufacturing central kitchen. The company estimates that these three EDG projects have saved them at least $60,000 per month on operating costs. By sharing this example, I hope that our food services and retail companies will make full use of the newly introduced $70 million Food Services and Retail Business Revitalisation Package to enable more such companies like Dian Xiao Er to continue pursuing their business transformation efforts, so as to stay competitive and future-ready. Chairman, we also recognise that manpower challenges continue to feature at the top of the food services and retail sectors' concerns. Together with industry associations, such as the Restaurant Association of Singapore (RAS) and the Singapore Retailers' Association (SRA), we will double up on our efforts to support the hiring and training of local jobseekers. This will include promoting local talent development programmes, such as the SGUnited Career Pathways scheme and the Career Conversion Programmes (CCPs), as well as intensifying our outreach to jobseekers and supporting the sectors' training needs.”
“In the last two years, the food services and retail sectors have battled waves of disruptions time and time again, from restrictions to closures, to changing consumer preferences and also pressures to digitalise, as well as manpower shortages. With the accelerated pace of change and the fast-emerging consumer trends, the food and retail sectors have to continue to transform themselves. Today, I am happy to announce that we will be introducing the $70 million Food Services and Retail Business Revitalisation Package to help our food services and retail companies overcome these challenges. We want to help them recover, we want to help them get stronger and we want to help them forge ahead with new strength. The new Food Services and Retail Business Revitalisation Package will: one, extend crucial support for our businesses in these sectors to improve their productivity and equip them with the capabilities to pivot and transform, so as to stay competitive and relevant; and two, help our food services and retail companies to beef up their manpower in the hiring and training of locals. Hence, we will extend the 80% support level of the Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) and relevant solutions under the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) for the food services and retail sectors till 31 March 2023. This extension under the Food Services and Retail Business Revitalisation Package will give our F&B and also our retail businesses more scope and more opportunities to adapt and transform and better position themselves for the future. Let me share one example. Since 2020, Dian Xiao Er – I think this is a name that some of us are familiar with – has tapped on the EDG for three projects to enhance their central kitchen.”
“As of January 2022, close to 43,000 businesses have used the GoBusiness portal to apply for Government assistance, and over 56,000 have benefited from the e-Advisers' personalised recommendations. We encourage our companies, entrepreneurs and business owners to make full use of this business-friendly online resource. On this note, I want to assure Mr Derrick Goh that while the Government aims to achieve greater efficiencies through technology and streamlining processes, we are also mindful of the need to ensure an inclusive playing field of opportunities. We hear his concerns that the use of the demand aggregation procurement by VITAL could limit opportunities for SMEs to be appointed on the Government's panel of suppliers and providers. In the demand aggregation tender involving the events management industry late last year, a decision was made after feedback from the industry, to structure the contract such that, in addition to lower financial barriers, smaller event management companies could have a chance to be appointed onto this panel. This also led to a doubling in the number of bids attracted. So, I want to assure Mr Derrick Goh that, wherever it is appropriate, we aim to structure the procurement in such a way that a range of suppliers of different profiles and sizes can take part, so as to offer business opportunities for as many enterprises as possible. Chairman, COVID-19 has hit some sectors very hard and we will continue to avail support to those that need it. As Mr Edward Chia pointed out, consumer-facing businesses are bearing the prolonged impact of the pandemic. The Small Business Recovery Grant (SBRG) will provide up to $10,000 per firm in the most affected sectors to help these SMEs regain their footing and build back their strength.”
“They took up an EFS M&A loan of $6 million to fund the acquisition of a chemical tolling company. This strategic acquisition will help GKE acquire deeper technical expertise in specialty chemical manufacturing and capture a broader segment of customers as a market leader for chemical logistics. To support more companies like GKE in their growth plans, we will be expanding the EFS M&A Programme to include domestic M&A activities from 1 April this year to 31 March 2026. In addition, we will provide fresh avenues of financing for the green economy. The Enterprise Sustainability Programme (ESP) that was just launched last October has an Enterprise Financing Scheme component called EFS-Green, designed to help our local enterprises capture opportunities and develop capabilities in sustainability. Sectors involving Clean Energy, Circular Economy, Green Infrastructure and Clean Transportation are well-placed to tap into this source of funding. 12.00 pm These enhancements to keep the financing tap on will reassure Ms Rahayu Mahzam that companies can access the vital support they need to seize green shoots of opportunities and tide through the pandemic. We will continue to monitor the schemes' efficacy and fine-tune them to give our local companies our fullest support. Apart from financing, I would like to assure Mr Shawn Huang and Ms Rahayu Mahzam that our enterprises have a one-stop portal called GoBusiness to rely on for all the latest information and e-services for doing business in Singapore. In addition, by answering a few simple questions on the portal, they can receive tailored recommendations from its e-Adviser feature – from the kind of Government grants suited for their transformation journey, to how to start and grow their business.”
“Chairman, we have gone through two long and hard years since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the challenging and uncertain business environment which upended lives and operations, Singapore enterprises have shown incredible resilience and mettle to transform and thrive in the new normal. As encouraged by Minister Gan Kim Yong and Second Minister Tan See Leng, we have the chance to seize the new opportunities that are before us and to forge a new path forward for our economy. Let me elaborate on our plans to support our businesses as we chart the path ahead together. We will leave no stones unturned to enable our people and businesses to emerge even stronger than before. First and foremost, we know that access to financing is the lifeblood of business survival and growth. To ensure that our enterprises have ready access to financing at various stages of their development, the Government has put in place a range of support measures specifically for this purpose. In the last two years, close to 28,000 companies have secured financing from the Enterprise Financing Schemes (EFS). And we will do even more. As the Minister for Finance Mr Lawrence Wong recently announced in Budget 2022 just two weeks ago, we will extend the Temporary Bridging Loan Programme (TBLP), as well as the enhanced EFS Project Loan (EFS-PL) and EFS Trade Loan (EFS-TL). We will also be making further enhancements to schemes, such as the EFS Merger and Acquisition (M&A) scheme. These improvements come on the back of industry feedback and engagement. One company that has benefited from the EFS M&A scheme is GKE Corporation Ltd. This is a third-party logistics provider that provides warehousing, freight services, transportation, marine logistics and port management services.”
“Mr Speaker, I want to thank the Member Mr Leon Perera for his supplementary question. I want to assure him that an important part of our multi-prong approach is to diversify our import sources. In fact, we import from various locations, including South Korea, US, Hong Kong and China. So, we will press on with our efforts, not just in terms of importing from multiple sources to bring choice and, in general, to further lower the price of ART kits, but, at the same time, to work with local companies or Singapore-based companies which have the intention or interest to manufacture or assemble ART self-test kits here.”