2. Speeches
Minister Lim Hng Kiang Speech at the SCCCI 17th Annual SMEs Conference and 18th Infocomm Commerce Conference
19 August 2015
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Speech by Mr Lim Hng Kiang for Trade & Industry, at the SCCCI 17th Annual SMEs Conference & 18th Infocomm Commerce Conference, on Wednesday 19 August 2015, 9.30am, at Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre
Mr Lau Tai San, Vice-President, SCCCI,
Council Members,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen
Good Morning.
I am pleased to join you this morning at the SCCCI 17th Annual SME Conference and 18th Infocomm Commerce Conference.
Global Economic Landscape
1. Last month, the International Monetary Fund trimmed its global growth projections for 2015 to 3.3%, from an estimate of 3.5% earlier this year. If the latest forecast pans out, global growth will be the weakest since the Global Financial Crisis in 2009.
2. At the same time, there are further downside risks. In recent weeks, the sharp correction in China’s stock market, and the devaluation of the Renminbi (RMB) have heightened volatility in international asset and currency markets. Other risks include the potential renewed flare-up of the Greek debt crisis, and capital outflows from regional economies due to low commodity prices and the anticipated normalisation of monetary conditions in the US.
3. Domestically, the Singapore economy continues a difficult but necessary transition to higher productivity. For the first half of 2015, Singapore’s GDP grew at 2.3% on a year-on-year basis, slower than that 2.9% achieved in last year. For the whole of 2015, we expect the economy to grow at a modest pace, by 2.0 to 2.5%.
4. However, I think that we can look to taking on our challenges with some degree of confidence. Singapore continues to have strong economic fundamentals. We have well-developed economic infrastructure, such as a stable financial system, good rule of law, and good trade connectivity. In addition, the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community this year will present opportunities for businesses seeking to expand their presence regionally.
5. Asia’s growth also remains broadly intact. Notwithstanding the fact that China’s growth has slowed to 7% on-year, the Asian Development Bank has projected Asia’s economic growth to be upwards of 6% for the next two years
, maintaining levels that it has achieved since 2011.
Celebrating our Golden Jubilee; Remembering our Business Pioneers
6. Earlier this year, SCCCI celebrated the achievements and enterprising spirit shown by our pioneering business leaders at the SG50 Outstanding Business Pioneers Awards.
7. In the early years of Singapore’s growth, our business pioneers faced a lack of natural resources, shortage of financing, poor infrastructure and a low-skilled workforce. Many felt that Singapore would not survive.
8. Yet, our business pioneers demonstrated fortitude in dedicating themselves to growing their businesses here, even in the face of these challenges. They constantly sought out new opportunities and adapted to stay relevant in an uncertain business environment.
9. One example is Mr Kwek Hong Png, founder of Hong Leong Finance. Mr Kwek started Hong Leong in 1941 as a general trading firm in ropes, paints, ship and rubber estate supplies. After the war, the company ventured into building and construction materials, taking advantage of the re-construction work in Singapore at that time. The company made another major move by starting Hong Leong Finance in 1966 to provide financing products to capitalise on the wave of SME growth during the industrialisation of the 1970s
. Today, the Hong Leong Group is a globally-diversified company with gross assets of over $40 billion, employing some 40,000 people around the world
.
10. Another example is Mr Lien Ying Chow, a former president of the SCCCI, and founder of the Overseas Union Bank (OUB) in 1949. Mr Lien showed boldness in choosing to set up the bank in Raffles Place, previously the preserve of established European and American businesses. Mr Lien was also astute in recognising the need for change. In the 1970s, Singapore’s banking scene became more competitive because of the entry of foreign banks. However, OUB was still run as a traditional Chinese business, with many staff being family members and friends of shareholders. Mr Lien recognised the need for professional management, and brought in former Housing Development Board chairman Lee Hee Seng as chief general manager in 1974. The bank instituted many changes, including putting an end to jobs for board members’ friends and family, and introducing computer technology into its operations. These changes helped OUB to continue to thrive. OUB continued to be successful until its acquisition in 2001 by the United Overseas Bank (UOB), but the legacy of Mr Lien lives on in the form of the 60-storey UOB Centre, which he had built as a flagship building for OUB
.
11. Many other business pioneers were similarly visionary. Their contributions helped take us through the early years of nation-building, and they serve as inspiring role models. Their enterprising spirit, willingness to take risks, and ability to innovate and adapt to take advantage of business opportunities all remain very relevant in today’s context.
Supporting our Businesses for Innovation and Growth
12. Today’s business leaders need to have the same spirit as our business pioneers. Advances in technology and globalisation have opened up many opportunities for new products and services. For example, additive manufacturing has made it possible to manufacture products using less material, and in more complex configurations than is possible using conventional methods
. The growth of the Internet of Things will create entirely new market opportunities, with an estimated impact on the global economy as high as $6.2 trillion by 2025
.
13. Regionally, when the ASEAN Economic Community is fully realised, our businesses will have access to a combined market of 620 million people with a total GDP of about US$2.3 trillion
. Singapore companies will benefit significantly. The elimination of import duties will help our companies enjoy greater price competitiveness for their products. Companies will also enjoy reduced barriers to services trade, such as the lowering of foreign equity restrictions and liberalisation of more services sectors. Investors in ASEAN will also benefit from stronger and more pro-business environment rules.
14. The government is committed to helping our businesses take advantage of these opportunities. In particular, we are placing strong emphasis on supporting businesses in innovation and internationalisation, and in building a workforce with the capabilities and skillsets for the future.
15. First of all, to support businesses in innovation, we have put in place grants and tax incentives to help companies, in particular our SMEs, defray the cost of innovation projects. SPRING’s Capability Development Grant (CDG) is a major programme which provides assistance to SMEs for capability development and innovation. In 2014, SPRING supported more than 1,000 companies through the CDG, and provided over $100 million in funding support to SMEs. To further support SMEs in innovation, SPRING Singapore has simplified the application process for smaller scale CDG projects that require grant support of $30,000 or less. Since April 2015, about 70 smaller scale projects have been supported from a range of sectors, including Wholesale Trade, Food Manufacturing and Food Services. These projects involve Automation, workflow redesign, and technology and standards adoption. We are encouraged by these numbers and expect more projects to come on-line soon.
16. SMEs undertaking innovation also receive assistance from A*STAR through the GET-Up programme, which provides technology roadmapping services and secondment of researchers, as well as access to intellectual property developed in our Research Institutes. We have also set up seven Centres of Innovation (COIs) to provide companies with access to facilities and technical expertise in electronics, supply chain management, environment and water technology, food, marine and offshore technology, materials, and precision engineering. Collectively, over the last 4 years, the COIs have supported SMEs through over 1000 projects.
17. Second, the government will also strongly support SMEs seeking to internationalise. In 2014, IE Singapore assisted 28,000 companies, 80% of them are SMEs. To put our SMEs in a better position to seize internationalisation opportunities, including those the AEC will bring, in Budget 2015 we have raised the level of grant support from 50% to 70% for SMEs under the Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) and Global Company Partnership (GCP) Schemes. The MRA helps companies who are making their first foray into the international arena by defraying the costs of setting up overseas operations, and helping SMEs make new in-market connections. The GCP seeks to help SMEs hone their competitive advantage and is designed to help companies build up their capabilities, develop manpower talent and gain access to trade financing.
18. We will also help SMEs gain a greater understanding of the opportunities in our region. AEC information packs specially targeted at ASEAN SMEs have been disseminated through business chambers and trade associations in ASEAN, and are electronically available on the ASEAN website.
19. To ensure that Singaporeans are equipped with the relevant capabilities for the industries of the future, the government has embarked on a national SkillsFuture initiative.
20. For enterprises, this effort will help to fill existing skills gaps and enable access to better skilled manpower to support your growth. Businesses should make full use of SkillsFuture initiatives, and take ownership of the development of your workers – by proactively developing every worker, providing career pathways, and valuing workers’ contributions based on skills and workplace competencies.
21. SMEs in particular play an important part in SkillsFuture, as they employ the bulk of our workforce. SMEs can tap on SPRING’s grants to upgrade their HR capabilities to be able to implement SkillsFuture initiatives. SPRING will also be launching a SkillsFuture Mentors scheme at the end of this year that gives SMEs access to advice to improve their HR capabilities, in order to participate in SkillsFuture initiatives such as the Earn and Learn Programme.
Par
tnering with SCCCI to Support our SMEs
22. Trade associations and chambers such as SCCCI are important partners to the government in supporting our SMEs for growth. As such, I am encouraged to note that SCCCI has collaborated actively with the government on several projects to support SMEs.
23. One excellent example is the development of the Trade Association (TA) Hub at the Jurong Town Hall, with SCCCI as the anchor chamber. The TA Hub is slated to open in early 2017 and will provide TAs with economies of scale through co-location, and enable larger TAs such as SCCCI to take the lead in developing smaller TAs. To date, 11 TAs have formalized their partnership with the SCCCI to form the first batch to locate at the TA Hub.
24. Another example is SCCCI’s running of three SME Centres at SCCCI
, Ang Mo Kio and Central (Toa Payoh) under SPRING’s SME Centres programme.
The SME Centres provide SMEs with one-stop comprehensive business advisory services, especially on government assistance programmes, helping SMEs to access these programmes for upgra
ding.
25. Today’s conference is also an important initiative by SCCCI. The event has grown considerably since the SME Conference first started in 1998 with 200 participants. I am told that there are some 5600 SMEs participating this year, the largest number so far. This edition also features a new Smart Tech Show & Tell segment featuring customizable enterprises solutions from NUS, A*STAR and the Singapore Industrial Automation Association. These solutions are aimed at helping SMEs to enhance their technology capabilities and increase productivity.
Conclusion
26. Let me thank SCCCI for your active role in supporting our SMEs, as well as for your continued partnership with the government in serving the SME community. I wish everyone a fruitful and rewarding time at the conference.
27. Thank you.
http://www.adb.org/publications/asian-development-outlook-supplement-july-2015
Source: Singapore Infopedia at eresources.nlb.gov.sg
Source: www.hongleong.com.sg
Source: Singapore Infopedia at eresources.nlb.gov.sg
MIT Technology Review www.technologyreview.com/featuredstory/513716/additive-manufacturing/
The Internet of Things: Sizing up the opportunity. www.mckinsey.com/insights/high_tech_telecoms_internet/the_internet_of_things_sizing_up_the_opportunity
As of 2013.
The SME Centre@SCCCI was established in 2006 as the Enterprise Development Centre@SCCCI (EDC@SCCCI). It was renamed as SME Centre@SCCCI in 2013 as part of the upgrading of EDCs into SME Centres to provide more comprehensive advisory services to
SMEs.
贸工部长林勋强在新加坡中华总商会第十七届中小型企业大会和第十八届资信商业大会的致词
时间：2015年8月19
日（星期三）上午9时30分
地点：新加坡新达城国际会议展览中心
新加坡中华总商会会长蔡其生先生
副会长刘泰山先生
董事会成员
尊敬的各位来宾
女士们、先生们
大家早上好！
我很高兴出
席今早由新加坡中华总商会主办的第十七届中小型企业大会和第十八届资信商业大会。
全球经济环境
1. 上个月，国际货币基金组织（IMF）将2015年全球经济增长预期，从今年较早前预测的3.5％下调至3.3％。若实际情况确实如此，2015年的全球经济增长将是自 2009年全球金融危机以来的最低水平。
2. 与此同时，全球经济也面对其他下行风险。中国股市近几周的剧烈调整，加上人民币贬值，这些都加剧了国际资产和货币市场的波动。其他风险还包括希腊债务危机再度恶化、区域经济体因大宗商品价格走低而资金外流，以及美国预料推行货币政策正常化。
3. 国内方面，为提高生产力，新加坡的经济正经历困难但必要的转型。2015年上半年，新加坡的国内生产总值与去年同期相比增长2.3％，比2014年的2.9％来得缓慢。我们预计新加坡2015年的全年经济增长将介于2.0%到2.5％的适中水平。
4. 然而，我想我们有一定的把握应对眼前的挑战。新加坡的经济基础仍旧稳固。我们拥有健全的经济基础，例如一个稳定的金融体系、良好的法治环境，以及广泛的贸易联系。此外，将在今年内成立的亚细安经济共同体（ASEAN Economic Community，简称AEC）也将为企业带来开拓区域市场的机遇。
5. 亚洲的增长潜力大致上也不受影响。尽管中国经济的同比增长将放缓至7％，亚洲开发银行预计，亚洲经济将在未来两年
实现超过6％的增长，保持自2011年以来所达到的水平。
庆祝新加坡金禧年；回顾商界先驱的贡献
6. 新加坡中华总商会在今年较早前举行的“新加坡建国50周年杰出华商奖”颁奖礼上，肯定了建国商界领袖们卓越成就和企业家精神。
7. 建国初期，新加坡的商界先驱面对天然资源匮乏、资金短缺，以及基础设施不健全和整体劳动队伍技术水平低下等挑战。当时有许多人认定新加坡无法生存。
8. 尽管如此，我们的建国华商仍以不屈不挠的精神，专心致志在本地发展事业。他们不断找寻新的商机，在多变的经商环境里顺应潮流，与时俱进。
9. 丰隆集团创办人郭芳枫就是一个例子。他在1941年成立丰隆，早期经营买卖绳索、油漆、轮船用品和采胶器材等贸易生意。战后，公司开始扩充业务，看准新加坡的重建计划为建筑业带来的契机，开始从事建材生意。1966年，该公司又迈出另一大步，成立了丰隆金融有限公司，通过为市场提供金融产品，成功在上世纪70年代
新加坡大力发展工业之际，赶上中小企业快速增长的势头。今天，丰隆集团已是一家业务遍布世界各地、拥有超过400亿新元资产，全球员工人数达4万人
的公司。
10. 连瀛洲先生是另一个很好的例子。他曾担任新加坡中华总商会会长，在1949年创办华联银行。连先生当时敢于把银行设在原本由欧美商行独占一角的莱佛士坊。他也精明地意识到，本地银行业的改革迫在眉睫。上世纪70年代，随着外资银行纷纷进军新加坡，本地银行业的竞争变得十分激烈。然而，当时的华联银行仍保留传统华族企业的经营模式，员工多为股东的亲友。连先生意识到专业管理的重要性，并于1974年邀请曾任新加坡建屋发展局主席的李喜盛先生出任银行的首席总经理。此后，银行推行了多项改革，其中包括不再聘用董事会成员的亲友和将业务电脑化。这些改变让华联银行继续茁壮成长。银行在2001年被大华银行收购之前，一直都有不俗的业绩。连先生当初为华联银行建设楼高60层的原华联中心大厦（现称莱佛士坊一号）
，至今仍屹立于莱佛士坊，便是他留给后人的精神遗产。
11. 还有许多其他的建国华商，同样富有远见和卓识。他们为建国初期的新加坡作出很多贡献，是后人学习的榜样。他们的企业家精神、肯冒险的心态，以及懂得创新、顺应改变以把握商机的优点，今时今日仍是非常重要的特质。
支持我们的企业实现创新与成长
12. 今日的商界领袖必须拥有和建国华商相同的精神。科技的进步和全球化的趋势，为开发新产品与服务带来全新的机遇。例如，增材制造技术让我们能以更少的原料生产同样的产品，还能比传统方式制造出结构更复杂的成品
。互联网的发展也将带来新商机，到了2025年估计可为全球经济创造高达6.2万亿美元的价值
。
13. 区域方面，在亚细安经济共同体（AEC）全面成立后，我们的企业将能进军人口多达6亿2000万人 、生产总值高达2.3万亿美元的庞大市场
。新加坡企业将获益良多。在免除进口关税以后，企业在产品价格上将更具竞争力，同时，服务贸易壁垒也会降低，例如外资股权比例限制放宽，以及更多服务领域的自由化。亚细安的投资者，也能受惠于更强有力和亲商环境。
14. 政府将致力帮助本地企业把握这些机遇，并大力支持企业实现创新、到海外扩展业务，以及建立一个具有能力、技术应付未来挑战的劳动队伍。
15. 为支持企业创新，我们推出了针对企业，特别是中小企业的津贴和税务优惠计划，以减低它们展开创新计划的费用。新加坡标准、生产力与创新局（简称标新局）的“能力发展津贴”（Capability Development Grant，简称CDG）是一项旨在协助中小企业提高能力和创新力的重要计划。2014年，标新局通过这项计划资助超过1000家企业，并为中小企业提供超过1亿元的资助。此外，标新局也简化了项目申请津贴的程序，让那些需要少于3万元资助推行较小规模项目的公司, 能更轻易获得津贴。 自2015年4月以来，它已资助约70项规模较小的计划，涵盖的领域包括批发贸易、食品制造与食品服务。这些计划包括自动化、重新设计工作流程，以及采用某种科技与标准等项目。我们深感鼓舞，并估计不久将有更多项目能逐一落实。
16. 新加坡科技研究局（A*STAR，简称新科研）的“成长企业科技提升计划”（GET-Up），也旨在帮助力求创新的中小企业，为它们提供技术规划服务、借调研究员，以及让它们使用属下研究院研发的技术。我们也成立了七个创新中心，让企业能在电子科技、供应链管理、环境和水务科技、食品、海事与离岸工程科技、材料工程，以及精密工程等领域得到设备和技术上的支持。过去4年，这些创新中心共支持了中小 企业的1000多个项目。
17. 政府也将强力支持想要走出国门，拓展业务的中小企业。2014年，新加坡国际企业发展局协助超过2万8000家企业打入海外市场，当中八成为中小企业。为了让中小企业更好地抓住向海外发展的机遇，包括亚细安经济共同体所带来的商机，我们在2015年的财政预算案当中，把“市场进入资助金计划”（Market Readiness Assistance，简称MRA）和“国际企业合作计划”（Global Company Partnership，简称GCP）所提供中小企业的资助从50％提高到70％。“市场进入资助金计划”（MRA）主要帮助初次进军国际市场的新加坡企业抵付设立当地业务的费用，也协助中小企业建立在地的新联系网。“国际企业合作计划”（GCP）的作用则是帮助中小企业提升能力、培养人才，以及争取贸易融资，以加强他们的竞争优势。
18. 我们也要让中小企业更了解区域内有哪些商机。我们通过亚细安组织旗下的商会，分发有关亚细安经济共同体的参考资料给中小企业，同时把电子版的资料上载到亚细安的官方网站供下载。
19. 此外，政府也推出全国性的“未来技能培训计划”（SkillsFuture），确保新加坡人掌握未来职场所需的技能，。
20. 对企业而言，这项计划将有助弥补技术上的缺口，并提高人力资源的素质，让员工有更好的发展。公司应善用计划的各项措施，把员工的个人发展视为己任，积极培训每一名员工、规划他们事业，以及根据个别雇员的技能和工作能力给于他们应得的肯定。
21. 由于本地大部分的劳动人口受雇于中小企业，因此中小企业的参与对这项计划至关重要。他们能利用标新局所提供的津贴，提升人力资源管理能力，以推行“未来技能培训计划”的措施。标新局将于今年底推行“未来技能导师计划”（SkillsFuture Mentors），为中小企业提供改善人力资源管理能力的建议，让它们能够参与 “在职培训”（Earn and Learn Programme）等相关项目。
和新加坡中华总商会携手支持中小型企业
22. 像新加坡中华总商会这样的商会，是政府支持中小企业发展的重要合作伙伴。新加坡中华总商会积极与政府合作，推出好几项计划帮助中小型企业，值得鼓励。
23. 设在前裕廊镇大会堂的商团中心（Trade Association Hub，简称TA Hub）就是一个很好的例子。商团中心预计在2017年初开幕，而新加坡中华总商会将是该中心的主要商会。选择落户此地的商会，将能共享资源和设施，减低运作成本，同时也能得到新加坡中华总商会等较大规模商会的协助与指点。目前，已有11个商会正式与新加坡中华总商会确定合作关系，成为首批落户商团中心的商会和行业协会。
24. 在标新局推出的中小企业中心计划下，新加坡中华总商会设立了中小企业中心， 也同时在宏茂桥和大巴窑设立了中小企业卫星中心。这三所中小企业中心为中小企业提供一站式和全面的商业咨询服务，尤其提供有关政府援助计划的资讯，以帮助中小型企业参与能让它们提升能力的计划。
25. 今天的大会也是新加坡中华总商会推出的重要项目之一。中小型企业大会在1998年首次举行时有200名参与者。而今年与会的中小企业多达5000家，是历来最多的一次。此次大会也增设了展示智能科技（Smart Tech Show & Tell）的全新环节。新加坡国立大学）、新科研（A*STAR）和新加坡工业自动化协会（Singapore Industrial Automation Association）为企业所提供的可定制科技方案将在此亮相。它们旨在提升中小型企业的科技水平和生产力。
结语
26. 最后，我要感谢新加坡中华总商会积极支持我们的中小企业，向来与政府紧密合作为中小企业服务。我祝大家在此次大会能有很好的交流，并有丰富的收获。
27. 谢谢！
http://www.adb.org/publications/asian-development-outlook-supplement-july-2015
资料来源: Singapore Infopedia at eresources.nlb.gov.sg
[3]资料来源: www.hongleong.com.sg
资料来源: Singapore Infopedia at eresources.nlb.gov.sg
MIT Technology Review www.technologyreview.com/featuredstory/513716/additive-manufacturing/
The Internet of Things: Sizing up the opportunity. www.mckinsey.com/insights/high_tech_telecoms_internet/the_internet_of_things_sizing_up_the_opportunity
截至 2013年