WE ARE SBF WE SPEAK FOR OUR MEMBERS
WE CHAMPION ENTERPRISE WE ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY
ANNUAL REPORT 2013
WE LINK BUSINESSES WE CARE FOR
WE SERVE AND SUPPORT
SOCIETY
Mission
Act as the bridge between the government and businesses in Singapore to create and enhance a conducive business environment. SBF represents the business community in bilateral, regional, multilateral fora for the purpose of promoting trade expansion and business networking.
Vision
Apex business chamber championing the interests of the business community in Singapore in trade, investment and industrial relations.
Contents ABOUT US Our Beginnings, Our Objectives 2013 Facts & Figures Chairman’s Message
01 04 06
YEAR IN REVIEW 2013 Milestones Voice Representation Business Networking & Facilitation Capacity Building SBF Milestones (2002-2013)
10 14 21 32 38
FEDERATION PROFILE Board of Trustees Council Members (2012-2014) SBF Committees SBF-led SME Committee SBF Secretariat – Management Team Singapore Business Federation Partners List of Activites 2013
42 43 51 52 53 56 59
ABOUT US
Our Beginnings
Our Objectives
• In the late 1990s, amid the rapidly changing global economic and business landscape, the government, in consultation and with the support of business leaders, called for a more comprehensive organisation and representation of the Singapore business community.
• To enhance the organisation of the business community in Singapore.
• With the passing of the SBF Act by Parliament in July 2001, all Singapore-registered companies with a paid-up share capital of $0.5 million and above became members of the SBF. Local chambers of commerce and industry which represent the interests and welfare of any local or foreign business group(s) join as Constituent Members.
• To represent, advance, promote and protect, in Singapore and abroad, the major business interests (such as investment, trade opportunities and labour management issues) of business entities carrying on commerce and industry in Singapore.
C AP A
SUPPORT BUSINESS COMPETITIVENESS THROUGH CAPACITY BUILDING
BUSINESS L G BA ASSIST COMPANIES TO ACCESS GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES
P
STRATEGIC FOCUS
G
U RO
GL O
BUILD RELATIONS BETWEEN BUSINESS AND GOVERNMENT TO ENHANCE A PROENTERPRISE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
GROUP
M E MB E R
RV
UILDING
P
S & SE
B TY I C
U RO
E
TION A L
ES IC
R
• SBF was established on 1 April 2002 and officially launched by then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong on 11 April 2002.
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION
STRUCTURE TO SUPPORT MISSION
Annual Report 2013
1
WE CARE FOR SOCIETY
WE CHAM ENTER WE SERVE
AND SUPPORT
2
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013
WE ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY
MPION RPRISE WE LINK BUSINESSES
WE SPEAK FOR OUR MEMBERS SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013
3
2013 Facts & Figures
550 74,500 102 Total number of activities
Total number of participants engaged
Total number of in-coming delegations
39 4
Total number of out-going missions
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013
2013 Facts & Figures As of 31 December 2013, the Federation had 20,919 corporate members.
$10m & above 15.12% $5m to less than $10m 7.00% $1m to less than $5m 40.56%
SHARE CAPITAL OF SBF MEMBERS
$0.5m to less than $1m 37.32%
Oil & Gas 0.18% Hotels, Restaurants & Accommodations 2.37% Real Estate Activities 3.06% Retail Trade 3.52% IT & Related Services 4.21%
INDUSTRY PROFILE OF SBF MEMBERS
Wholesale Trade 23.41% Manufacturing 14.97% Others (e.g. holding/ investment companies) 12.74%
Banking & Insurance 4.51% Logistics & Transportation 5.72%
Services 9.60%
Professional Services 6.95% Construction and Civil Engineering 8.76%
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION
Annual Report 2013
5
Chairman’s Message
“SBF CONTINUED TO PROACTIVELY SUPPORT MEMBERS’ EFFORTS TO INTERNATIONALISE THEIR BUSINESSES. SBF LED 39 OVERSEAS BUSINESS MISSIONS TO ASIA, AFRICA AND CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE IN RESPONSE TO MEMBERS’ STRONG INTEREST TO EXPLORE THESE MARKETS.” 6
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013
2013 was an eventful year for the Singapore Business Federation. We launched the SBF Foundation, established the NTU-SBF Centre for African Studies and inaugurated the SBF Business Institute. We became a more effective advocate of business. The Federation engaged some 74,500 participants in 550 events and activities organised and supported by SBF. These included incoming and outgoing business missions, seminars, policy briefings, workshops and surveys. SBF continued to proactively support Members’ efforts to internationalise their business. We led 39 overseas business missions to Asia, Africa and Central and Eastern Europe in response to Members’ interests in these markets. We also received 102 in-coming delegations from some 40 countries. These enabled our Members to make valuable contacts, access information and help forge strong links with their overseas partners. There was heightened interest in Africa, with four outgoing missions covering seven African countries and 19 incoming African missions during the year. Our market activities for Africa were capped by the inaugural Africa Asia Oil & Gas Summit which we organised. At this Summit, the NTU-SBF Centre for African Studies was inaugurated. I am very thankful to the five SBF Members who have donated $1 million each to help fund this Centre. SBF also led a business delegation to Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovak Republic in conjunction with President Tony Tan Keng Yam’s State visits. Another SBF mission accompanied Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on his official visit to France and Poland. During the year, SBF made further progress as a voice of business. In 2011, we formed the SBF-led SME Committee to provide our SME Members with a more coordinated voice to Government. Through this Committee, the Federation continued to engage Government Agencies on issues relating to business costs, manpower crunch, financing and productivity. We are heartened that a significant proportion of the 33 recommendations to the Minister for Finance by the SBF-led SME Committee were included in Singapore Budget 2013. The Singapore Government has recognised our constructive role, wide representations, good data research and careful deliberations. Internationally, SBF actively pushed for further trade and investment liberalisation. We were delighted that our collective efforts with the international business community played a role in the successful conclusion of the Trade
Facilitation Agreement by WTO Members at its Ministerial Meeting in Bali in December. We look forward to the speedy implementation of this Agreement which will increase global trade and create more jobs benefitting businesses, governments and workers. At ASEAN and APEC, we continued to advocate for greater regional integration of our economies to allow our Members better access to a larger and more efficient market. As part of our efforts to help Members build capability, the SBF Mentorship Programme facilitated dialogue sessions between SME bosses and experienced Captains of Industries, allowing the sharing of valuable experience and tips for success. SBF also collaborated with partners to launch the Young Business Leaders Alliance to support young entrepreneurs and business leaders. The launch of the SBF Foundation by the Prime Minister in November is a new milestone for SBF. It provides a platform for businesses to do their part in inclusive growth by promoting corporate social responsibility and corporate philanthropy. Many Founding Donors have contributed generously to the Foundation. I thank them again for their donations and their belief in the good works that the Foundation will do. Another milestone will be the opening of the permanent headquarters for SBF in late 2016. It will be located in a prime downtown development named the “SBF CENTER”. We are grateful to Far East Organization, led by Mr Philip Ng, for this landmark contribution. SBF has made steady progress since its founding in 2002. The Federation rests on a firm footing to serve the varied needs and aspirations of its 21,000 Members. I am heartened that the level of our activities and Members’ participation have grown steadily over the years. Importantly, we are receiving more positive feedback from our Members of the benefits they have received. SBF is playing a more important role for Singapore businesses, and I encourage Members to continue to support the activities of the Federation to build a vibrant and resilient business community. I wish to express my deep appreciation to the Board of Trustees, my fellow Council Members, the SBF Secretariat, business partners and you, our Members, for your commitment and dedication over this past year. I hope that you will continue to support and shape the SBF in the years ahead.
Tony Chew Leong-Chee Chairman Singapore Business Federation
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION
Annual Report 2013
7
YEAR IN REVIEW 2013 Milestones Launch of SBF Foundation Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong launched the SBF Foundation (SBFF) on 12 November 2013. SBFF aspires to encourage a compassionate and pro-active business community, playing its part to build an inclusive Singapore. Its mission is to encourage, enable and enhance the contributions of the business community to the social, vocational and educational upliftment of all in Singapore.
The Foundation was incorporated on 20 June 2013, and received its Institutions of a Public Character (IPC) status on 15 July 2013. In 2013, SBFF received $18m in donations and pledges from 24 founding donors.
The Foundation, which was mooted by Mr Tony Chew, Chairman, Singapore Business Federation, hopes to encourage businesses to become more actively involved in community development. As the apex business chamber, SBF believes it has a role to play in encouraging businesses to become more involved in contributing to the well-being of society. In particular, SBFF will work with the business community to promote corporate social responsibility and corporate philanthropy to uplift the less privileged and improve our environment. It also aims to promote the welfare of the low-wage, elderly and other disadvantaged employees, as well as education to enhance the employability of needy and disadvantaged youths through partnerships with the business community.
The SBF Foundation is governed by an independent Board of Directors chaired by Mrs Theresa Foo-Yo Mie Yoen, who is a Member of the SBF Board of Trustees and Chairman of The Esplanade Co Ltd and Gardens by the Bay. The other Board of Directors includes: • Mr Peter Chay Fook Yuen, Deputy Managing Partner, KPMG LLP • Mr Cheng Wai Keung, Chairman, Wing Tai Holdings • Ms Foo Mee Har, Member of Parliament of the Republic of Singapore • Mr Ho Meng Kit, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Business Federation • Mr Koh Seow Chuan, Founder, DP Architects Pte Ltd • Mr Kwee Liong Keng, Managing Director, Pontiac Land Pte Ltd • Mr N Sreenivasan, Senior Counsel and Managing Director, Straits Law Practice LLC
“AS THE APEX BUSINESS CHAMBER, SBF BELIEVES IT HAS A ROLE TO PLAY IN ENCOURAGING BUSINESSES TO BECOME MORE INVOLVED IN CONTRIBUTING TO THE WELL-BEING OF SOCIETY.” - Mr Tony Chew, Chairman, SBF
10
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013
Founding Donors
At the launch, SBF gratefully acknowledged the generous gifting by Far East Organization of 22,000 square feet of office space at SBF Center, under the Community and Sports Facilities Scheme, to the Foundation. It also thanked its founding donors for their generous donations.
• Mr Philip Ng, Far East Organization • Dr Stephen Riady, Stephen Riady Foundation • Dato Sri Dr Albert Hong, RSP Architects Planners and Engineers Ltd • Mr Sukanto Tanoto, Tanoto Foundation • Mr Kuok Khoon Hong, Wilmar International Limited • Dr Melanie Chew, Asia Resource Corporation Pte Ltd • Mr Wong Fong Fui, Boustead Singapore Limited • Mr Kwee Liong Keng, Pontiac Land • Mr Lawrence Leow, Crescendas Group • Mr Chan Chong Beng, Goodrich Global Pte Ltd • Mr Teo Siong Seng, Pacific International Lines • DBS Bank • Dymon Asia Capital (Singapore) Pte Ltd • Keppel Corporation Ltd • Sembcorp Industries Ltd • Singapore Hotel Association • Mdm Kay Kwok, Shangri-La Hotel Singapore Ltd • Ascendas Pte Ltd • Mr Poh Choon Ann, Poh Tiong Choon Logistics Ltd • UOB Bank • Jurong Engineering Limited • Ms Olivia Lum, Hyflux Group • Mr Ho Meng Kit • Mr Shabbir H. Hassanbhai, Indo Straits Trading Co. (Pte) Ltd
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION
Annual Report 2013
11
2013 Milestones Inauguration of NTU-SBF Centre for African Studies The Singapore Business Federation and the Nanyang Technological University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 27 November 2013 to establish the NTU-SBF Centre for African Studies. The first of its kind in South-East Asia, it will provide in-depth insights on the diverse African market through research, workshops and programmes. To be hosted at NTU’s Nanyang Business School, the Centre aspires to build knowledge on business, politics and social economics to strengthen the capabilities of policy makers and businesses for their engagement with Africa.
The Centre will be launched by the second half of 2014. At the Summit, five of Singapore’s leading investors in Africa were recognised for their contributions to the Centre’s funding. Indorama Group, Olam International, Pacific International Lines, Tolaram Group and Wilmar International, have each donated S$1 million to the Centre’s endowment fund.
Government response to the Budget 2013 Recommendations Since its inception in 2011, the SBF-led SME Committee (SMEC) has provided an effective platform to analyse cross-cutting SME issues. For its Budget 2013 Recommendations, SMEC prepared a 54-page submission with 33 recommendations. At the SME Convention 2013 organised by SBF, Minister of State for Trade and Industry Teo Ser Luck commended SMEC for its effort, noting that the majority of the Budget 2013 Recommendations were adopted. He also acknowledged that the introduction of the Quality Growth Programme had drawn reference from the business issues surfaced by SMEC.
Budget 2014 Recommendations In September 2013, SMEC set up a fifth sub-committee to spearhead SME issues related to Innovation, in addition to its existing focus on Cost of Doing Business, Manpower & Productivity, Financing and Internationalisation & Market Access. Signing of MOU between SBF CEO Mr Ho Meng Kit and NTU Dean of Nanyang Business School, Professor Ravi Kumar
The signing, which took place at the Africa Asia Oil and Gas Summit 2013, was witnessed by Mr Lee Yi Shyan, Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry and National Development, Mr Tony Chew, Chairman, SBF, and Professor Gillian Yeo, Associate Dean of NBS, and some 270 government officials and oil and gas players from Africa and Asia.
12
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013
Budget 2014 recommendations were submitted on 30 December 2013, urging the Government to allow more time for economic restructuring and not exacerbate the already challenging conditions. A more targeted approach was proposed for SMEs in three situations: those seeking growth, those in survival mode and those in sectors with special needs. In developing its recommendations, SMEC has worked closely with the Singapore Contractors Association Limited (SCAL), Singapore Retailers Association (SRA) and Restaurant Association of Singapore (RAS). These sectors were highlighted as those with special needs, as they are more severely impacted by rising costs and tightening of manpower policies.
WE SPEAK FOR THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY
VOICE REPRESENTATION Serving as a unified voice for Singapore’s ever-growing business sector, SBF represents and upholds the interests of member businesses, and promotes engagement with policymakers and other sectors.
Voice Representation SBF STEPPED UP ITS EFFORTS IN ADVOCACY AND VOICE REPRESENTATION IN 2013 The SBF-led SME Committee (SMEC) presented its Recommendations for Budget 2013 to government in late December 2012, following which, several major events were organised to engage the interests of members and the wider business community.
Seminar on Budget 2013 on 4 March 2013
Seminar on Budget 2013 (2nd Run) on 13 March 2013
SBF organised two post-Budget outreach sessions for members and one for trade associations and chambers, featuring panel discussions with representatives from government agencies who elaborated on the help schemes unveiled in Budget 2013. The Federation also arranged for Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (DPM) Tharman Shanmugaratnam, to meet with captains of industry from key business sectors for specific feedback on Budget 2013.
14
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013
Business Dialogue with DPM Tharman Shanmugaratnam on 19 March 2013 In July, SBF engaged DPM Tharman in a high level dialogue on external macro-economic conditions and the impact of turbulence in global financial markets on Singapore and the business community. The session, which also included a presentation on the global economic outlook, was attended by some 180 C-level executives.
Eminent Leaders Series: Dialogue with DPM Tharman Shanmugaratnam on 29 July 2013
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION
Annual Report 2013
15
Voice Representation SBF engaged members on policy updates such as National Wages Council Guidelines 2013/14, Wage Credit Scheme, Foreign Manpower Policy and the Personal Data Protection Act, amongst others. It also partnered the National Security Coordination Secretariat, Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Home Affairs to organise the 2013 National Security Conference on the theme “Securing Your Business Health – with Pandemic Preparedness”. Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Health, addressed some 500 business leaders on the critical roles businesses and individuals play to better prepare and mitigate the impact of pandemic threats.
Members’ Briefing: Company’s Tax Obligations and Wage Credit Scheme on 19 September 2013 National Security Conference 2013
During the year, SMEC’s main and sub-committees met on 19 occasions to deliberate challenges facing SMEs. The meetings provided the basis for discussion with government agencies as well as inputs for Budget 2014. SMEC also collaborated with Singapore Contractors Association Limited, Singapore Retailers Association, and Restaurant Association of Singapore on recommendations to advocate on issues in the construction, retail and F&B sectors respectively.
Members’ Briefing: Amendments of the Employment Act (Phase 2) and the Industrial Relations Act on 6 December 2013
16
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013
The Strategic Planning Session in March helped foster closer relationships with trade associations and chambers not represented on SMEC and provided a platform for future collaboration. SMEC also inaugurated the Innovation Subcommittee to help SMEs adopt innovation and technology to raise productivity at the workplace. This is in addition to the existing Sub-committees on Cost of Doing Business, Manpower & Productivity, Financing and Internationalisation & Market Access.
In conjunction with the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) meeting in Singapore hosted by SBF in April, SMEC organised an APEC SME Forum on Innovation. Themed ‘Driving Heartware for Innovation-Oriented Growth’, the forum explored the underlying drivers of innovation and the shift in corporate behaviour and attitude towards becoming pro-innovation enterprises that are competitive in international markets. The event was attended by 175 local SME representatives and ABAC delegates. The SBF SME Convention in October capped a busy year of engagement and advocacy for SMEs. The event was an important platform to reach out to business leaders and to gauge key issues impacting the business community. Some 320 C-level participants benefitted from the lively dialogue with SMEC Advisor, MOS Teo Ser Luck and prominent SME leaders. The session enabled SMEC to collect constructive feedback from the business community to validate its recommendations for Budget 2014.
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION
Annual Report 2013
17
Voice Representation REGIONAL ECONOMIC INTEGRATION – ASEAN AND APEC ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN BAC) SBF was actively involved in key projects of ASEAN BAC in 2013: • SBF secured sponsorships and helped to garner responses from businesses for the ASEAN Competitiveness Survey 2013 conducted by NUS Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (NUS-LKYSPP). The 2013 Survey was the third in a series that started in 2010 by ASEAN BAC, in collaboration with NUS-LKYSPP.
• Singapore ministers who hosted the meeting took the opportunity to reiterate the city state’s commitment to APEC, shared views on Asia-Pacific developments, and promoted Singapore as a Global Asia Hub. The regional forum provided various networking opportunities for SBF members to meet prominent businessmen from the APEC economies.
• SBF facilitated the participation of 18 Singapore companies in the ASEAN BAC Business Awards (ABA) 2013.
Plenary session of the 2nd ABAC Meeting
Singapore companies at ABA 2013
• ASEAN Business & Investment Summit (ABIS) 2013, Brunei (August 2013) - Dr Robert Yap, Singapore’s ASEAN BAC member and SBF Vice Chairman, led a delegation of nine companies to participate in the ASEAN Business & Investment Summit and ASEAN BAC Business Awards ceremony. • ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Association (AYEA) – SBF was appointed as the Singapore representative secretariat organisation, as the AYEA would be formed under the auspices of the ASEAN BAC of which SBF is the national Singapore secretariat.
On the right: Mr Ho Meng Kit, CEO of SBF, at the 2nd ABAC Meeting
APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) • Being the apex business chamber, Singapore Business Federation (SBF) served as the national secretariat to ABAC for Singapore, and played an important role in providing the linkage between the business community and our government on business issues discussed at ABAC. • ABAC’s theme for 2013 under Indonesia’s chairmanship was “Partnership, Resilience and Bridges to Growth”. Singapore hosted the 2nd ABAC Meeting for 2013 from 3-6 April, attended by over 270 delegates, including top business leaders and senior government officials from the 21 APEC economies.
18
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013
Guest of honour Deputy Prime Minister Mr Teo Chee Hean interacting with guests at the ABAC Gala Dinner
• At the concluding meeting in Bali in October, members of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) met with the 21 APEC Leaders in a private dialogue to present their 2013 recommendations and inputs to APEC’s work. ABAC members also took this opportunity to ask the Leaders for their assessment on the progress made towards attaining the Bogor Goals 2020 of an open and free trade area in the region, with special focus on services liberalisation, increasing foreign direct investments and enhancing the competitiveness of small, medium and micro enterprises. • In its Report to Leaders, ABAC called on APEC to have a more ambitious agenda on trade, investment and services liberalisation targets. It strongly advocated the achievement of a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) and urged APEC governments to continue to engage in activities that accelerate trade and investment liberalisation.
ABAC Dialogue with Leaders in Bali in October 2013
• On global trade, ABAC supported the Doha negotiations, and welcome the successful conclusion of the Trade Facilitation Agreement by WTO Members at its Ministerial Meeting in Bali in December. Businesses now look forward to the speedy implementation of this Agreement which will increase global trade and create more jobs benefitting businesses, governments and workers. • The three ABAC Singapore Member were Mr Gautam Banerjee, Chairman of Blackstone Singapore; Mr Jackson Yap, Group Managing Director & CEO of United Engineers Limited; and Mr Ho Meng Kit, CEO of SBF. Mr Ho also served as the Co-Chair of the Action Plan & Advocacy Working Group.
ABAC Dialogue in Bali
Group photo of APEC Leaders with their spouses in Bali
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION
Annual Report 2013
19
WE BUILD BRIDGES TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES
BUSINESS NETWORKING AND FACILITATION SBF provides members with opportunities to network, establish partnerships, tap into emerging markets and link up to the rest of the world.
Business Networking & Facilitation DURING THE YEAR, SBF LED 39 OVERSEAS BUSINESS MISSIONS AND RECEIVED 102 INCOMING BUSINESS DELEGATIONS KEEN ON EXPLORING TRADE AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES WITH MEMBERS. SBF CONTINUED TO ASSIST MEMBERS TO PLUG INTO EMERGING MARKETS IN AFRICA, ASIA, AND CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE AMERICAS, EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA Business Mission to France and Poland, 27 October – 2 November 2013 SBF led a 35-strong business delegation to France and Poland in conjunction with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s official visit to the two countries. The following key events were organised during the business mission: • SBF-UBIFRANCE ‘Singapore and France: Linking Asia & Europe Through Trade and Investment’ Seminar • France-Singapore Business Forum • Poland-Singapore Business Forum
The SBF-led Singapore business delegation with PM and Minister Lim Hng Kiang
The business mission provided delegates a first-hand understanding of the overall market dynamics and opportunities for France and Poland against the backdrop of the EU-Singapore FTA (EUSFTA) that is expected to come into force by 2015. The visit also helped participants to establish useful business and official contacts in France and Poland. The mission helped to generate several high-level business leads, with some S$12 million of sales confirmed and another S$55 million under negotiation. SBF Business Delegation to France & Poland
Business Mission to Central Eastern Europe: Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovak Republic, 11 – 20 November 2013
France-Singapore Business Forum – Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (3rd from left), Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang (2nd from left) and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs Grace Fu (left) engaged in a dialogue with French companies
In conjunction with President Tony Tan Keng Yam’s state visit to Central Eastern Europe to lobby for the ratification of the EUSingapore Free Trade Agreement (EUSFTA), SBF led a business delegation to Hungary (11 – 13 Nov), Czech Republic (14 – 16 Nov) and Slovak Republic (17 - 19 Nov). A bilateral Business Forum was organised in each country, and a Memorandum of Understanding was also initialed at the Singapore-Hungary Business Forum between SBF and Budapest Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The business mission generated
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION
Annual Report 2013
21
Business Networking & Facilitation some 90 business leads. The linkages forged during the visit enabled SBF to extend its reach of the region, especially for specific markets such as Hungary which is doing well in terms of economic performance and pro-business policies.
The Hungary-Singapore Business Forum was well attended by more than 130 Hungarian participants
networking and matching opportunities for companies and helped in increasing access to business ventures. Our engagement with top African officials and business leaders also enabled us to build mindshare, foster stronger trade and investment linkages, and serve as a platform for dialogue to increase economic ties between Singapore and Africa.
The Singapore business delegation with H.E. Jakaya Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania
The Singapore business delegation with President Tony Tan Keng Yam
Deepening Engagement with Africa Emerging markets in Africa present numerous opportunities for Singapore companies and interest in the continent is growing. In 2013, SBF mounted business missions to Angola, Mozambique, Ghana, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda to explore trade and investment opportunities. These missions helped create greater awareness and interest for our companies and generated some S$30 million in new business opportunities. SBF received 19 incoming high-level delegations from Africa in 2013. Prominent dignitaries included the President of Tanzania; Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment; Ethiopian State Minister for Industry; Niger’s Minister of State for Planning, Territorial and Community Development; Equatorial Guinea’s Minister for Mines, Industry and Energy; Africa’s richest black businesswoman Mrs Folorunso Alakija, Executive Vice Chairman of FAMFA Oil. Through these engagements, SBF was able to create numerous high level
22
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013
A MOU signed between SBF, represented by Vice Chairman Mr Teo Siong Seng, and Mr Martin Okumu, Acting Secretary General for the Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Africa Asia Oil and Gas Summit, 27 – 28 November 2013 The inaugural Africa Asia Oil and Gas Summit (AAOGS) organised by SBF served as a platform for African and Asian governments, leading oil and gas stakeholders and related businesses to share, develop and gain insights into the latest developments and opportunities available in Africa. The Summit helped to profile Singapore / Asia companies’ oil and gas developmental experience and capabilities, and provided Africa delegates access to expertise in developing a more vibrant oil, gas and petrochemicals ecosystem. The summit was attended by some 270 high-level government and private sector representatives from 29 countries, including four African Ministers.
Welcome address by SBF Vice Chairman and Africa Business Group Chairman Mr Shabbir Hassanbhai
Ministerial Panel moderated by SBF Africa Business Group Advisor Mr Zainul Abidin Rasheed
One of the highlights of the summit was the inking of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between SBF and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) to establish the Centre for African Studies. The Centre, which aims to help Asian firms expand into the continent, will provide thought leadership on Africa, help governments and businesses build capabilities and foster an integrated Africa-Singapore network.
MOU signed between SBF and NTU to establish the Centre for African Studies
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION
Annual Report 2013
23
Business Networking & Facilitation PILOTING OPPORTUNITIES IN EMERGING REGIONAL MARKETS Russia-Singapore Business Forum (RSBF), 23 – 26 September 2013 The 8th edition of the forum aimed to foster greater connectivity between the regions of Russia/Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and Singapore/Asia. RSBF 2013 leveraged on the success of previous forums to facilitate greater business networking and matchmaking opportunities for both regions. Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, along with some 500 ministerial and business elites from Asia and Russia/CIS, attended the forum. RSBF 2013 also featured a first-of-itskind technology investment roundtable with young Russian and Singaporean start-ups to ignite and convert the best new ideas to reality.
SBF Chairman Mr Tony Chew giving the welcome address
During RSBF 2013, a partnership between Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Russian sports giant Sportmaster to start a sports research innovation centre here was inked.
Signing ceremony for a joint project between Sportmaster and NTU Institute for Sports Research
“OUR CENTRAL LOCATION IN THE HEART OF ASIA AND EXCELLENT CONNECTIONS WITH FAST-GROWING SOUTH-EAST ASIA, AS WELL AS THE LARGE MARKETS OF CHINA AND INDIA, MAKE SINGAPORE AN IDEAL LOCATION FOR MANY MULTINATIONAL AND REGIONAL COMPANIES. OUR FAMILIARITY WITH SOUTH-EAST ASIA, IN PARTICULAR, ALSO MEANS THAT WE ARE WELLPLACED TO SERVE AS AN ENTRY POINT INTO ASEAN AND ITS COMBINED MARKET OF 600 MILLION PEOPLE.” - Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam
24
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013
President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov speaking at RSBF
ASIA 2nd China Beijing International Fair for Trade in Services (CIFTIS), 28 May – 1 June 2013 With the support of the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), SBF successfully organised Singapore’s participation in the 2nd CIFTIS held in Beijing. The aim was to profile and promote Singapore services companies expanding their business in China and to increase trade in exportable services between Singapore and China. SBF’s business delegation, totalling some 150 delegates, was the largest foreign delegation to the 2nd CIFTIS. Close to 138,000 trade visitors and officials from 117 countries and regions around the world visited the fair and a total of 415 projects valued at US$78.69 billion were concluded.
SME’s 2013, The International Spring Trade Fair (Mongolia), 7 – 11 June 2013 The International Spring Trade Fair is the largest trade fair organised by the Mongolia National Chamber of Commerce & Industry. SBF, with the support of IE Singapore, organised a Singapore Pavilion at the Misheel Expo Center in Ulaanbaatar. SBF led a total of 11 Singaporean companies from the building materials and food & beverage industry to participate as exhibitors in the trade fair. The expo attracted more than 10,000 trade visitors and consumers with a focus on enhancing international standards of imported brands and to demonstrate new technology and products into Mongolia.
10th China-ASEAN Exposition (CAEXPO), 3 – 6 September 2013 SBF, with the support of MTI, led Singapore’s participation at the 10th CAEXPO, attended by 85 businessmen. To commemorate CAEXPO’s 10th anniversary, awards were presented to companies that contributed to the exposition’s success over the last 10 years. Singapore companies won seven outstanding awards and SBF picked up the best supporting organisation award. Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, accompanied by Minister of State for Trade and Industry (MOS) Mr Teo Ser Luck, led the Singapore official delegation to CIFTIS
Mr Teo Chee Hean, DPM and Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs led Singapore’s official delegation comprising senior officials from the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and economic agencies to CAEXPO.
DPM Tharman speaking to Mr Poh Choon Ann, Vice-Chairman of SBF’s China Business Group The Singapore National Pavilion at CAEXPO
MOS Mr Teo speaking at a Singapore Day Seminar at CIFTIS, aimed at attracting Chinese companies to use Singapore as a Global Asia Hub
DPM Teo touring the Singapore National Pavilion
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION
Annual Report 2013
25
Business Networking & Facilitation
(Third from left) SBF’s Chief Operating Officer Mr Victor Tay, DPM Teo, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Vice Chairman Mr Liang Shengli, and delegates at the Singapore National Pavilion
Panel discussion during the Singapore Day Seminar at CAEXPO
International Business Fellowship Executive Programmes (Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar and India) In 2013, SBF successfully launched four International Business Fellowship Executive programmes (IBF) focusing on Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar and India attended by 69 participants. The programmes which targeted C-suite level participants provided an important business platform for like-minded business leaders to network and discuss new business opportunities among themselves.
Delegates at a site visit during the Vietnam IBF
Sharing session on “Leadership in Indonesia” by Mr Ahmad Yuniarto, Chairman of Schlumberger Group Indonesia at the Indonesia IBF
Delegates at a site visit to Thilawa Industrial during the Myanmar IBF
Site visit to Tata Chemical Innovation Centre (Pune) during the India IBF
26
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013
CEO Business Mission to Myanmar, 3 – 5 April 2013
Business Mission to Vietnam, 16 – 20 April 2013
SBF Chairman Mr Tony Chew led a 32-member CEO business delegation of prominent businessmen from leading Singapore companies for this visit. The mission, which was in conjunction with President Tony Tan Keng Yam’s visit, was to advance business-to-business relations between Singapore and Myanmar. A networking lunch reception was organised for President Tan to interact with Singapore delegates.
To commemorate the 40th anniversary of Singapore-Vietnam Diplomatic Relations, SBF organised a business mission to Ho Chi Minh City and co-hosted a Vietnam-Singapore Business Forum. The forum focused on real estate financing, tourism, healthcare services, manufacturing and logistics.
“THERE IS STILL SIGNIFICANT INTEREST IN VIETNAM FROM SINGAPORE BUSINESSES. THE KEY OBJECTIVE OF THIS BUSINESS MISSION IS TO BOOST THE BUSINESSTO-BUSINESS RELATIONS BETWEEN SINGAPORE AND VIETNAM. THROUGH REGULAR EXCHANGES SUCH AS SINGAPORE’S PARTICIPATION IN THE VIETNAM SINGAPORE BUSINESS FORUM, WE CAN AND WILL DEVELOP GREATER BUSINESS LINKS WITH VIETNAM.” - Mr Ho Meng Kit, SBF CEO
From left: SBF Chairman Mr Tony Chew, President Tony Tan Keng Yam, Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers and Commerce and Industry President U Win Aung, and IE Singapore CEO Mr Teo Eng Cheong at the networking lunch
Minister Lim Hng Kiang (sixth from right) with dignitaries from Vietnam and Singapore at the Opening Ceremony of the Vietnam–Singapore Business Forum in Ho Chi Minh City
President Tony Tan accompanied by SBF Chairman Mr Tony Chew, speaking to a UOB representative, Mr Ivan Wong
Markets Insights Series at GES Business Leaders’ Summit 2013, 28 – 31 October 2013 A highlight of the 10th edition of the Global Entrepolis @ Singapore (GES) Business Leaders’ Summit 2013, the Market Insights Series focused on trade and investment opportunities in Japan, Myanmar, China and Indonesia. Themed ‘Connecting Businesses to New Frontiers’, the GES Summit featured discussions on the latest outlook on global markets, business trends, innovative ideas and approaches to growth in an ever shifting economic landscape. The event, which saw the participation of 80 international speakers, attracted over a thousand delegates.
Participants at the Singapore-Myanmar Business Forum in Yangon
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION
Annual Report 2013
27
Business Networking & Facilitation
Panel discussion on ‘An Integrated ASEAN – The Dream of ASEAN Economic Community 2015’ led by Dr Sanchita Basu Das (far right), Lead Researcher of Economic Affairs at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies
Mr Poh Choon Ann, Vice Chairman of SBF China Business Group giving the welcome address at the China market insights Seminar at GES
Panel discussion on China’s new economic growth model offering new business opportunities and challenges to Singapore and Southeast Asia at the China Market Insights Seminar
Mr Haruhisa Takeuchi, Ambassador of Japan to Singapore, giving the opening address at the Japan Market Insights seminar
28
Panel discussion on key success factors & challenges of doing business in Indonesia led by Dr Robert Yap (right), Chairman, ASEAN Business Group, during the Indonesia Market Insights session
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013
Participants networking at GES
GLOBAL ASIA HUB In 2013, the Global-Asia Hub (GAH) initiative reached out to over 1,200 foreign enterprises through 20 events including Representative Office Briefings, Singapore Business Insights sessions for visiting business delegates and overseas “Singapore Day Seminars”. In addition, GAH also hosted 49 incoming visits that comprised 27 group and 22 individual company visits. In the last three years, GAH has assisted 28 foreign mid-sized companies to incorporate their operations in Singapore.
ACCESSASIA@SINGAPORE Programme Launched in April 2013, the ACCESSASIA@SINGAPORE programme is an initiative by SBF that provides a single point of entry for foreign enterprises to access Asia through Singapore. It enables companies to tap on the expertise of leading professional service providers combined with a suite of one-stop services and wide networks to support business start-ups and expansion into the region. AccessAsia brings together 18 leading Singapore-based professional service companies to provide services such as banking, legal and taxation advice, expatriate relocation, HR strategy consulting for global companies looking to set up business operations in Singapore.
Chairman of Kyushu Economic Federation Mr Mr Yutaka Aso and SBF Chairman Mr Tony Chew sealing the MOU
Deepening Singapore’s Value Proposition as a Business Hub Featured events: • GAH organised a Kyushu-Singapore Business Forum in July 2013 at which a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was inked between SBF and the Kyushu Economic Federation to boost trade and investment in both regions. The discussions centred on Singapore as a business hub for Kyushu companies while a “Singapore Day Seminar” was held in Fukuoka the following week attended by some 80 Japanese companies.
Delegates networking at the forum
• GAH organised a Singapore Business Insights programme for a group of 18 Korean start-up companies from the Infocom technology industry. Site visits to IDA and A*STAR were conducted to help the Korean visitors better understand Singapore’s infocomm technology developments, business opportunities and R&D initiatives. • GAH hosted 13 delegations from major cities of China including Chongqing, Beijing, Yunnan, Guangxi, Shandong, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai and Suzhou to briefing sessions on Singapore’s business environment and using Singapore as the springboard to ASEAN.
Briefing on “The Future of Infocomm Technology” for the Korean ICT companies
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION
Annual Report 2013
29
Business Networking & Facilitation
Delegation visit from Vietnam
Global In-Market Outreach GAH deepened its outreach efforts by organising “Singapore Day” seminars in Japan and China to encourage Chinese companies to set up business operations in Singapore. Leading Singapore-based professional service companies were present at the seminars to help promote Singapore as a gateway to ASEAN. The seminars that took place were: • April 2013 - Singapore Day Seminar at the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade during the 7th Chinese Enterprises Outbound Investment Conference, Beijing, China.
Panel discussion involving Singapore Economic Development Board, SBF, WongPartnership and UOB at the seminar
• May 2013 - Singapore Day Seminar at the 16th China International Investment and Global Sourcing Fair in Chongqing, China. • July 2013 - Singapore Day Seminar at the Kyosokan Conference in Fukuoka, Japan, in partnership with Kyushu Economic Federation. • September 2013 - Singapore Day Seminars at the China International Fair for Investment and Trade (CIFIT) at Xiamen, China, and the 10th China-ASEAN Expo 2013, Nanning, China.
Helping Representative Offices Upgrade GAH partnered business providers in tax/advisory, legal, HR and financial services to brief Senior Management from Representative Offices (RO) based in Singapore on the process and benefits of incorporating a company in Singapore. Strategic Partners of AccessAsia were also invited to provide and market their services to the ROs during the briefings. GAH organised five Representative Offices (RO) briefings that were attended by 97 corporate representatives. In 2013, 10 ROs have upgraded their presence in Singapore to either a subsidiary or a branch company.
30
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013
Singapore companies UOB, Rajah & Tann, A.S. Louken and RSM Chio Lim at CIFIT
DEVELOPING STRATEGIC TOOLS TO ENGAGE FOREIGN COMPANIES Business Services Resource Guide To facilitate better understanding of Singapore’s business environment and regulations, GAH published the Business Services Resources Guide in English, Chinese and Japanese languages. The Guide serves to provide essential information on doing business in Singapore, and was published in collaboration with partners such as RSM Chio Lim, Standard Chartered Bank and Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
WE EMPOWER ENTERPRISES
CAPACITY BUILDING SBF empowers member businesses by providing assistance in managing risks, enhancing competitiveness and reinforcing resilience.
Capacity Building BUSINESS CONTINUITY MANAGEMENT Preparing Businesses for a Globally-Connected Economy
IN A SMALL AND HIGHLY CONNECTED COUNTRY LIKE SINGAPORE, DISRUPTIONS TO THE GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN CAN BE DETRIMENTAL TO BUSINESSES. THE NEED FOR BUSINESSES TO BE WELL-PREPARED AND MORE RESILIENT TO ECONOMIC THREATS IS INCREASING. IN 2013, AS PART OF SBF’S BUSINESS CONTINUITY MANAGEMENT (BCM) EFFORTS, THE FEDERATION RAN A TOTAL OF 31 BCM EVENTS AND WORKSHOPS, PROVIDING TRAINING TO OVER 1,600 PARTICIPANTS FROM SOME 1,200 COMPANIES, RESULTING IN 183 BCM APPLICATIONS. Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Public Symposium on Business Continuity Planning, 7 - 9 May 2013 As the national BCM focal point, SBF was invited to participate as a key resource member at the APEC symposium to provide inputs as to how APEC members and the Vietnamese business community can enhance their economic resilience. Held in Vietnam, the symposium was well-attended by over 30 APEC members and 50 members of the Vietnamese business community. SBF was commended by the European Parliament Working Group (EPWG) and the Australian Government for its expertise and contributions. Panel discussion at the APEC EPWG symposium
International and Local Delegates at the APEC EPWG symposium
32
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013
Business Continuity Management Award 2013, 24 January 2013 Through the Business Continuity Management (BCM) Award, SBF acknowledged 20 enterprises who have committed their efforts and resources in ensuring that their company is BCM-ready. Over 160 senior management executives learned how BCM and Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) can increase the reliability of a company’s operation, build its resilience to crisis, and foster conditions for a sustainable and profitable performance. SBF also launched the BCM Ambassador programmme and appointed its first batch of BCM Ambassadors who will share first-hand experiences and encourage other businesses to build up critical capabilities.
Supply Chain Leadership Forum, 31 October 2013 Local and international thought leaders discussed the latest outlook on global supply chain, challenges and risks faced, as well as new approaches to sustainable, resilient and innovative growth at the Supply Chain Leadership Forum. The forum allowed for sharing of best practices and tested methodologies in today’s global supply chain, benefitting about 100 leading businessmen. 24 BCM-ready enterprises were also recognised at the event for adopting best practice in BCM.
Dr Robert Yap, Chairman & CEO of YCH Group and Vice Chairman of SBF, speaking at the forum
BCM Awardees
Panel discussion at the forum
Six newly appointed BCM Ambassadors
BCM Awardees at the forum
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION
Annual Report 2013
33
Capacity Building Responding to Haze (BCM and Workplace Safety Booklets) In response to the haze episode in June 2013, SBF produced the BCM and Workplace Safety Booklets which incorporated best practices that can be adopted by businesses in Singapore. Containing over 50 success stories, the booklet aims to help the business community deal with the haze situation in Singapore.
Through the programme’s roundtable sessions and one-toone mentoring, participants benefit from the sharing and advice of eminent and successful business personalities. Since its launch, there has been growing interest from family-owned businesses, mainly from Chinese-speaking backgrounds, to understand diverse business issues, ranging from dispute resolution to talent retention. In 2013, the Federation embarked on conducting mentorship sessions in Mandarin. Through the year, SBF conducted 10 mentorship events, engaging more than 150 C-level executives. The Mentorship Programme was facilitated by distinguished industry veterans, including Mr Poh Choon Ann, Mr Shabbir H Hassanbhai and Mr Wong Fong Fui.
3rd Edition of the BCM booklet on evolving business excellence
Workplace Safety and Health booklet
BizSAFE
Mentor, Poh Choon Ann, Chairman & CEO of Poh Tiong Choon Logistics Ltd
Proper Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) management enables companies to make safety an integral part of their business and also drive productivity with WSH innovations. In 2013, SBF was reappointed as the Risk Management Assisted Fund (RMAF) agent, assigned to help businesses achieve the BizSAFE Level 3 status. The federation rolled out 12 runs of bizSAFE courses to help members adopt certification.
Financial Management A series of conferences, seminars and workshops were conducted with knowledge partners, attracting over 690 senior management executives. Participants were able to gain a better understanding on how to improve their financial management capabilities and resilience.
HUMAN CAPITAL MENTORSHIP & PRODUCTIVITY Empowering Businesses through Greater Innovation and Productivity
Mentor, Shabbir H Hassanbhai, Director of Indo Straits Trading Co Pte Ltd
“THE SIZE OF THE ROUNDTABLE IS JUST RIGHT FOR EVERYONE TO SHARE. THE MENTOR COMES WITH GOOD EXPERIENCE AND HE IS VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE!” - Francis Wong, Managing Director, Capitol Optical
SBF plays an active role in helping companies become more productive. With productivity-led growth still high on the National agenda, SBF enhanced its programmes to further strengthen members’ capabilities in the increasingly competitive business arena.
Mentorship Programme: Enabling Business Leaders and Accelerating Business Growth The Mentorship Programme was initiated in 2010 with the commitment to accelerate growth for members and help groom businesses into globally competitive companies.
34
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013
Mentor, Wong Fong Fui, Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer of Boustead
Productivity Programmes: Enhancing Productivityled and Quality-driven Growth In partnership with government agencies, SBF is represented in the National Productivity and Continuing Education Council (NPCEC), which aims to boost skills and enterprise productivity, as well as develop a comprehensive system for continuing education and training. Led by Chairman Tony Chew, SBF provides strategic leadership in driving the national productivity agenda. One such initiative from the council is the Empowering Efficiency and Excellence (3E) Productivity Programme, supported by the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA). The programme focuses on training “Productivity Champions” who will be equipped with productivity know-how and tools over a three-month period. Since its launch in 2nd quarter of 2012, the Federation has since assisted some 30 companies from different industries. Over 150 productivity champions received consultation from productivity specialists and underwent training through a series of in-house projects. The programme garnered positive feedback from participating companies, resulting in new applications from more project groups and staff.
Participants at a Productivity programme
“THE PROGRAMME INTRODUCES TECHNIQUES THAT ENABLE US TO IMPROVE THE UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THE PROCESS OPERATES, AND DETERMINE POTENTIAL TARGETS FOR PROCESS IMPROVEMENT THROUGH REMOVING WASTES AND INCREASING EFFICIENCY. AS SUCH, IT HELPS US TO UNDERSTAND AND ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE PROCESS OF CREATING A GOOD OR SERVICE WITHOUT SACRIFICING CUSTOMER SATISFACTION.”
Young Business Leaders Alliance (YBLA) In 2013, SBF formed the Young Business Leaders Alliance (YBLA) to foster better network support for young business leaders and entrepreneurs. The YBLA was created in collaboration with five ethnic chambers and organisations, namely Business Leaders Alumni Club, three Young Entrepreneur Networks at Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a group of 22-individual YBLs. The YBLA will create a common platform for promising young leaders to benefit from peer learning and represent business interests locally and internationally. It will serve as a convergence point for Singapore’s young business leaders to foster friendships, share experience and network. The YBLA was launched at the Global Entrepolis @ Singapore 2013 SME Convention by Guest of Honour, Mr Teo Ser Luck, Minister of State for Trade and Industry.
“ENTREPRENEURSHIP IS IMPORTANT AS IT SERVES AS A RENEWAL FOR THE SME SECTOR, THEREFORE, NEW BUSINESSES HAVE TO BE CREATED. START-UP AND YOUNG COMPANIES ARE NIMBLE AND CAN ADAPT QUICKLY TO CHANGES IN THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT. AS SUCH, THE GOVERNMENT PLACES EMPHASIS ON NURTURING YOUNG BUSINESSES AND YOUNG BUSINESS LEADERS. THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO CONTRIBUTE TO THE VIBRANCY AND DYNAMISM OF OUR LOCAL BUSINESS SECTOR, AND WILL SPEARHEAD THE DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH OF OUR COMPANIES ON THE GLOBAL STAGE.” – Guest of Honour, Mr Teo Ser Luck, Minister of State for Trade and Industry.
– Equiptest Engineering Pte Ltd
The YBLA launch at the SME Convention
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION
Annual Report 2013
35
Capacity Building SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Since the release of the Sustainable Singapore Blueprint in 2009, Singapore continues to increase its efforts in building an efficient, clean and green society. 2013 saw the launch of new initiatives by the Federation, further spreading the reach and deepening the efforts in creating a sustainable city.
Asia Pacific Sustainability Leadership Forum (APSLF), 31 October 2013 APSLF 2013 presented modern day issues on the topic of sustainable development and how such concepts can be adopted and applied to different businesses. The forum addressed sustainability challenges facing the region, highlighted emerging cleantech solutions and discussed prevalent issues on regional haze and the sustainable business outlook for the future. It attracted some 150 attendees, including industry professionals, entrepreneurs, researchers, as well as government officials.
Singapore Sustainability Awards, 31 October 2013 The Singapore Sustainability Awards is an initiative of SBF that aims to strengthen Singapore’s position as a global and regional hub in Sustainable Development. The awards serves as a yardstick for enterprises to benchmark against leading companies’ sustainable business practices and solutions. Through the awards, 14 companies from various industries were recognised for exemplifying business excellence in embracing sustainable practices.
Guest of Honour Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, giving the welcome address at the forum
Winners of the Singapore Sustainability Awards 2013 with Guest of Honour, Mr S Iswaran, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Home Affairs and Second Minister for Trade and Industry
Dr Vivian Balakrishnan in a panel discussion with representatives of the palm oil community on “Environmental Sustainability for the Future: Envisioning a Haze Free ASEAN “
36
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013
Singapore Sustainability Awards Winners’ Case Study Handbook SBF in collaboration with the National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School published a handbook which documented successful case studies of the 2012 winners of the Singapore Sustainability Awards. The handbook was launched by Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore’s Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, at the Asia Pacific Sustainability Leadership Forum on 31 October 2013.
The Case Studies Handbook provides insights on the motivations and experiences of the Awards winners’ sustainability journeys, and serves as a source of reference to inspire companies towards greater excellence in their sustainability practices
SBF-NUS Executive Leadership Programme, 20 - 29 June 2013 Organised by SBF and the National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School, participants of the five-day course engaged in in-depth discussions and learned critical sustainability concepts which they could apply to their own business endeavours. As part of the programme, participants developed bespoke Sustainability Plans for their own organisations, which they would thereafter implement.
Singapore Sustainability Directory 2013 To complement SBF’s sustainability efforts, the Federation published the 2013 Singapore Sustainability Directory to profile Singapore-based enterprises in the sustainability sector. The Directory, which lists more than 3,000 providers of green products and services, is a comprehensive reference to facilitate the matching of businesses’ sustainability needs with corresponding solution providers. It features an extensive range of green companies that offer energy efficient / ecofriendly products and services, across all major Sustainable Development sectors.
Singapore International Arbitration Centre The Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) entered into an alliance with SBF in 2003 to strengthen its ties with the business community and step up its promotion of arbitration services for businesses. This was a collaboration aimed to develop Singapore as a centre for international arbitration. SIAC has made steady progress over the years as a provider of arbitration services to the global business community and has seen a robust increase in case filings in 2013. Mr Lucien Wong, Chairman and Senior Partner of Allen & Gledhill LLP and Member of the SBF Board of Trustees, was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of SIAC in 2013.
International Chamber of Commerce As the Singapore National Committee representative of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), SBF supported and promoted several ICC activities and initiatives in 2013 including the following: • Sought the support of five Singapore companies to sign an open letter calling for a trade facilitation agreement at the Bali WTO Ministerial Conference in December 2013 at the request of ICC Chairman • Supported ICC in policy making and advocacy efforts with Singapore representatives in ICC International Court of Arbitration and ICC Commission on Arbitration, Banking Technique and Practice and Customs and Trade Facilitation • Raised views and provided inputs on Banking Commission Draft Opinions and Articles In 2013, SBF also facilitated numerous workshops and the sale of ICC publications to its members to enhance their trade finance knowledge.
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION
Annual Report 2013
37
SBF Milestones 2002 - 2013
• Officially launched by then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong on 11 April 2002 • Mr Stephen Lee assumed the chairmanship of the Singapore Business Federation • Organised more than 50 events and activities, which catered to some 10,000 members
38
• Launched the inaugural issue of BiZQ to update members on business and industry insights • Formation of the MalaysiaSingapore Business Council (MSBC) to forge closer economic ties between both countries • Jointly presented Global Entrepolis @ Singapore with Economic Development Board (EDB), attracting participants from over 40 countries
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013
2006
2005
2007
• Supported the World Economic Forum (WEF) in partnership with EDB • Participation in the Federation’s events reached 22,000, double that of 2004
2004
2002
2003
• Focused on promoting business and investment opportunities both in Singapore and abroad • Doubled its offerings of activities and events for members
• Launched the Middle East Business Group • Hosted and coorganised the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit, and the inaugural ASEAN Business Awards
• Introduced the Mentoring Programme • Recognised both locally and overseas as an apex chamber of the Singapore business community
• Mr Stephen Lee hands over the chairmanship of SBF to Mr Tony Chew • Strengthened threepronged focus of representing the voice of the business community, helping members build resilience and facilitating business opportunities • Received ownership of GES from Economic Development Board
2013
• Launch of SBF Foundation • Launch of NTU-SBF Centre for African Studies • Deeper engagement of emerging markets, particularly Africa • Better advocate for businesses through SMEC
2012
2011 2010
2008
2009
• Hosted the APEC CEO Summit and the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) meetings in • Reviewed and finalised SBF’s Singapore, held in conjunction strategic plan for 2012 – with the APEC Leaders’ Summit 2016 • Increased engagement of • Reached out to 48,300 emerging markets participants through its activities • Established the SME • Inaugurated five dedicated Committee (SMEC) to geographic business groups better represent the voice to further help members gain of members and the wider valuable insights and tap into SME community regional opportunities
• Launched a series of initiatives in support of Economic Strategies Committee recommendations • Organised Singapore Sustainability Awards to recognise companies for their eco-friendly practices • Increased its outreach, with the 408 activities benefitting 62,000 participants
• Commemorated SBF’s 10th anniversary • New direction to be a more issue-centric organisation representing the concerns and needs of our members – stronger voice representation
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013
39
FEDERATION PROFILE Board Of Trustees As prescribed by the SBF Act 2001, the Board of Trustees is responsible for ensuring that: • The Singapore Business Federation acts in furtherance of its objects as set out in the Act and in its Constitution; • The funds and assets of the Federation are properly accounted for and safeguarded; and • The persons who are members of the Council are fit and proper to hold such office. The Minister for Trade & Industry has appointed Mrs Fang Ai Lian as the Chairman. Mrs Theresa Foo-Yo Mie Yoen and Mr Lucien Wong are the other two members of the Board.
FANG AI LIAN Chairman
THERESA FOO-YO MIE YOEN Member
LUCIEN WONG Member
• Board Member, Singapore Telecommunications Limited • Board Member, Banyan Tree Holdings Limited • Board Member, Metro Holdings Limited • Board Member, MediaCorp Private Limited • Chairman of Charity Council
• Chairman, Gardens by the Bay • Chairman, The Esplanade Co Ltd • Chairman, Singapore Business Federation Foundation • Chairman, Viva Foundation for Children with Cancer Limited • Member, Singapore Business Advisory Consultants & Council • Member, Board of Trustees of Singapore National Employers Federation • Board Director, Ecquaria Limited
• Chairman and Senior Partner of Allen & Gledhill LLP, Advocates & Solicitors, Singapore • Director, Hap Seng Plantations Holdings Berhad • Director, Singapore Airlines Limited • Director, Singapore Health Services Pte Ltd • Director, Singapore Press Holdings Limited • Director, Temasek Holdings (Private) Limited • Chairman, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore • Chairman, Singapore International Arbitration Centre
42
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013
Council Members (2012 – 2014) The SBF Council, which manages the affairs of the Federation, includes nominated, elected and co-opted representatives. The Council has a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 26 members. The three local ethnic chambers i.e. Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce & Industry have permanent representation in the Council. The rest of the Council Members would be nominees of local chambers, representatives from foreign chambers of commerce, elected representatives of member companies, and co-opted members.
TONY CHEW LEONG-CHEE Chairman
ABDUL ROHIM SARIP PBM Vice Chairman
GAUTAM BANERJEE Vice Chairman
• Executive Chairman, Asia Resource Corporation • Chairman, KFC Vietnam, Macondray Holdings, Alliance Asia Investment Pte Ltd • Independent Director, Keppel Corporation • Member, National Productivity and Continuing Education Council • Member, Enterprise Development Advisory Council • Member, Chinese Development Assistance Council Board of Trustees • Adviser, Singapore Institute of International Affairs • Conferred Meritorious Service Medal (2013), Public Service Star (2008), Public Service Medal (2001), NUS Outstanding Service Award (2011)
• Immediate Past President, Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce & Industry • Lawyer and Managing Partner, A Rohim Noor Lila & Partners • Member, SME Committee, SBF • Member, Malaysia Singapore Business Council • Board Member, SCORE • Committee Member ACCORD • Director, Institute of South East Asian Studies • Vice President, Casa Raudha Women Home • Member, Medishield Life Review Committee • Volunteer, Jamiyah Legal Clinic
• Senior Advisor to the Blackstone Group and Chairman of Blackstone Singapore • Board Member of the following: - Economic Development Board - Government of Singapore Investment Corporation Pte Ltd - Singapore Airlines Limited - Singapore International Arbitration Centre - Singapore Legal Service Commission - Straits Trading Company Limited - Piramal Enterprises Ltd (India) • Governing Board Member, Yale-NUS College • Term Trustee, Singapore Indian Development Association • Member, Indian Heritage Centre Steering Committee, National Heritage Board • Governing Council Member, Singapore Business Advisors and Consultants Council • Former Executive Chairman, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Singapore • Former Nominated Member of Parliament
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION
Annual Report 2013
43
Council Members (2012 – 2014)
SHABBIR H. HASSANBHAI Vice Chairman • Director, Indo Straits Trading Co (Pte) Ltd & related companies • Director, Al Badawi General Trading LLC, UAE and Oman • Director, Gateway Distriparks Ltd & Group of companies, India • Director, Intraco Limited • Director, Singapore Business Advisors and Consultants Council • Chairman Advisory Board, NTU-SBF Centre for Africa Studies • Chairman, Africa-Singapore Business Group, Middle East Business Group, Co-Chair Singapore-Oman Business Council, SBF • Vice President, Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA) • Member, Oman-Singapore Joint Committee, Ministry of Foreign Affairs • Member, Management Board Middle East Institute, NUS • Member, Finance and Investment Committee, Ang Mo Kio-Thye Hua Kwan Hospital • Singapore’s Non-Resident High Commissioner to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Ministry of Foreign Affairs • Conferred Public Service Medal (PBM) in 2010
44
RANGARAJAN NARAYANAMOHAN Vice Chairman • Chairman, Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry • SBF Member- Finance & Investment Committee • Senior Partner, Natarajan & Swaminathan, Charted Accountant Singapore • Board of Trustees, Institute of South East Asian Studies, Member Executive Committee & Fund Raising Committee. • Member of the People’s Association Talents Advisory Council 2009/2011 • Vice Chairman, Tamil Language Council (MCYS)
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013
TANG KIN FEI Vice Chairman • Group President & CEO, Sembcorp Industries Ltd • Director, Sembcorp Marine Ltd and various other Sembcorp companies • Council Member, Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry • Chairman, SBF China Business Group • Member, Abu Dhabi-Singapore Business Forum and Saudi-Singapore Economic City Business Forum • Chairman, Ngee Ann Polytechnic Council • Vice Chairman and Trustee, Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital • Co-chairman, Saudi-Singapore Business Council • Represents Sembcorp Industries on the Singapore- Jiangsu Cooperation Council, Singapore-Zhejiang Economic & Trade Council
TEO SIONG SENG Vice Chairman
DR ROBERT YAP CHIN KOK Vice Chairman
PHILIP NG CHEE TAT Honorary Secretary
• Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) Singapore • Managing Director, Pacific International Lines (Pte) Ltd • Chairman & CEO, Singamas Container Holdings Limited • Immediate Past President of Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry • Honorary Consul of The United Republic of Tanzania in Singapore • Chairman of Singapore Maritime Institute Governing Council • Chairman of The Standard Steamship Owners’ Protection and Indemnity Association (Asia) Ltd • Director, Business China • Independent Director, China Shipping Container Lines Company Ltd • Board Member, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Governing Board • Joint Chairman, Africa South East Asia Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ASEACC)
• Chairman & CEO of YCH Group • ASEAN Business Advisory Council, Singapore Chairman • Founding Chairman of Supply Chain Asia • Vice President, Singapore National Employers Federation • Board Member of International Enterprise Singapore (IE) & Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) • Board of Advisors at Singapore National Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation (SINCPEC), ASEAN SME Advisory Board and SMU School of Information Systems.
• Chief Executive Officer, Far East Organization • Director, Sino Group (Hong Kong) • The Singapore-China Foundation Board of Governors • Advisory Board for the Centre for Liveable Cities (CLC) • Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Singapore University of Technology and Design • Co-opted Member and Chair, Singapore Health Services Pte Ltd (SingHealth) Property Committee • Member, Board of Directors of the Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellowship • Member, MOH Holdings Healthcare Infrastructure and Planning Committee (HIPC)
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION
Annual Report 2013
45
Council Members (2012 – 2014)
OLIVIA LUM Deputy Honorary Secretary
BOB TAN BENG HAI Honorary Treasurer
CHONG SIAK CHING Deputy Honorary Treasurer
• Executive Chairman & Group CEO of Hyflux Ltd • Board Member of the International Enterprise Singapore • Member of the Singapore-Oman Business Council, Singapore Business Federation • Member of the Singapore-Zhejiang Economic and Trade Council, Singapore-Jiangsu Cooperation Council & Singapore-Tianjin Economic & Trade Council • Board of Trustee Member of The Chinese Development Assistance Council • Patron of The Singapore Productivity Association • Adviser to Singapore Institute of International Affairs • Former Nominated Member of Parliament • Former Member of the APEC Business Advisory Council • Former President of the Singapore Compact for Corporate Social Responsibility • Former Director of the National University Health System Pte Ltd • Former Board of Trustees Member of the National University of Singapore
• Chairman, Jurong Engineering Limited • Chairman, Institute of Technical Education • Chairman, Singapore LNG Pte Ltd • Chairman, SINGEX holdings Pte Ltd • Director of SMRT Corporation Ltd • Director of CapitaMalls Asia Ltd • Vice President of Singapore National Employers Federation • Co-Chairman of Tripartite Alliance for Fair Employment Practices • Member of National Wages Council • Board Member of Ong Teng Cheong Labour Leadership Institute • Member of NTUC Club Management Council
• Chief Executive Officer, National Gallery Singapore • Board Member of Singapore Press Holdings Limited • Board Member of National Arts Council • Board Member of Jurong Health Services Private Limited • Member of National University of Singapore (NUS) Board of Trustees • Member of Yale-NUS College Governing Board
46
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013
CHAN CHONG BENG Member
PIYUSH GUPTA Member
GEORGE HUANG CHANG YI Member
• President, Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (ASME) • Chairman, Goodrich Global Pte Ltd • Member, SBF-led SME Committee (SMEC) • Chairman, Rising Business Costs Sub-committee, SMEC • Top Entrepreneur of the Year
• Chief Executive Officer and Director of DBS Group, as well as Director of DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited and The Islamic Bank of Asia Limited • Council Member of The Association of Banks in Singapore • Deputy Chairman of SPRING Singapore • Board Member of the Institute of International Finance, Washington • Director of The Institute of Banking & Finance • Board Member of the Human Capital Leadership Institute • Advisory Board Member of the Sim Kee Boon Institute for Financial Economics • Managing Council Member of the Indian Business Leaders Roundtable • Director of the MasterCard Asia/ Pacific, Middle East and Africa Regional Advisory Board
• President, Singapore Manufacturing Federation • Managing Director, Amoy Canning Corporation, (S) Ltd • Honorary Consul-General of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia • Patron, Tampines Central Citizens’ Consultative Committee • President, Chartered Management Institute Singapore Branch • Chairman-School Advisory Committee, Balestier Hill Secondary School • Chairman, School of Humanities & Social Sciences, Temasek Polytechnic • Chairman, Business Practices Committee, Consumers Association of Singapore • Chairman, Advisory Committee, Singapore Environment Council • Chairman, Singapore Business Advisors & Consultants Council
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION
Annual Report 2013
47
Council Members (2012 – 2014)
SHANKER IYER Member
SIMON KAHN Member
KAY KUOK OON KWONG Member
• Immediate Past Chairman, Singapore International Chamber of Commerce • Chairman, The Iyer Practice, Accountants and Business Consultants • Chairman, International Fiscal Association (Singapore Branch)
• Chairman, American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore • CMO, Asia Pacific, Google Inc
• President, Singapore Hotels Association • Executive Chairman, Shangri-La Hotel Limited, Singapore • Managing Director, Shangri-La Hotels (M) Bhd • Director, Kuok (Singapore) Limited • Director, Allgreen Properties Limited • Chairman, National Healthcare Group Pte Ltd • Member, NUS Board of Trustees • Chairperson, Yale-NUS College Governing Board • Trustee, Wildlife Reserves Singapore Conservation Fund • Member, Northlight School Board of Governors • Chairman, Yale-NUS Liberal Arts College
48
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013
MITSUHIRO AKIYAMA Member
GRAHAM LEE Member
LAWRENCE LEOW CHIN HIN Member
• President, Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Singapore • Council Member, Singapore National Employers Federation • Committee Member, Japanese Association Singapore • Director & General Manager, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation
• Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP • Fellow, Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants and Member, Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia • Immediate Past President, Australian Chamber of Commerce, Singapore • Member, International Relations Committee, Singapore Business Federation
• Executive Chairman, Crescendas Group • Chairman, SBF SME Committee (SMEC) • Deputy President, Singapore Badminton Association • Past President, Association of Small and Medium Enterprises • Chairman, School Advisory Committee, Gong Shang Primary School • Vice Chairman, SBF ASEAN Business Group • Patron, Singapore Taekwondo Federation • Patron, Yew Tee Citizens’ Consultative Committee and Constituency Sports Club • Former Nominated Member of Parliament (10th Parliament)
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION
Annual Report 2013
49
Council Members (2012 – 2014)
STEFANO POLI Member
ALVIN YEO Member
• President, European Chamber of Commerce (Singapore) • Secretary, EU-ASEAN Business Council Asean • Council Member, Gerson Lehrman Group (USA) • Advisory Board Member, FFA Asia Pte Ltd • Member, Aspen Institute (Italy) • President & CEO, Antaeus Pte Ltd • Shareholder, Electro Power Systems Spa (Italy) • Shareholder, VASS Srl (Italy)
• • • •
50
• • • • •
Senior Counsel Senior Partner, WongPartnership LLP Member of Parliament Member, Appeals Advisory Panel of the Monetary Authority of Singapore Member, Court of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre Director, United Industrial Corporation Ltd Director, Singapore Land Ltd Director, Keppel Corporation Ltd Director, Neptune Orient Lines Limited
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013
SBF Committees No.
Committee
Composition of Members
SBF Council Committees 2012-2014 1
Executive Committee
Mr Tony Chew (Chairman) Mr Teo Siong Seng Mr Tang Kin Fei Dr Robert Yap Ms Chong Siak Ching
2
Audit Committee
Mr Gautam Banerjee (Chairman) Mr Shanker Iyer Mr Stefano Poli
3
Finance & Investment Committee
Mr Bob Tan (Chairman) Mr R Narayanamohan Dr Robert Yap Mr Piyush Gupta Mr Chan Chong Beng
4
International Relations Committee
Mr Shabbir Hassanbhai (Chairman) Mr Graham Lee (Vice Chairman) Mr Simon Kahn (Vice Chairman) Mr Kiyofumi Kusaka (Vice Chairman) Mr Philip W Forrest * Mr Michael Cheok * Mr Tan Seng Chye * Mr Freddy Lam * *Non-Council Members
5
Member Relations Committee
Mr Lawrence Leow (Chairman) Mr Simon Kahn Mr Graham Lee Mr George Huang Mr Abdul Rohim Sarip
6
Appointments & Remuneration Committee
Mr Tony Chew (Chairman) Mr Bob Tan Madam Kay Kuok
7
Nominations Committee
Mr Tony Chew (Chairman) Mr Gautam Banerjee Mr Philip Ng
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION
Annual Report 2013
51
SBF-led SME Committee No.
Name
Sector
Organisation/Company
Designation
Real Estate
Crescendas Group
Executive Chairman
SMEC Chairman 1
Lawrence Leow
SMEC Members 2
Tony Chew
Apex Chamber
Singapore Business Federation
Chairman
3
Douglas Foo
Employers
Singapore National Employers Federation
Council Member
4
Kurt Wee
SMEs
Association of Small and Medium Enterprises
President
5
George Huang
Manufacturing
Singapore Manufacturing Federation
President
6
Lau Tai San
Chinese Enterprises
Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Chairman
7
Abdul Rohim Sarip
Malay Enterprises
Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SMCCI)
Immediate Past President
8
Rangarajan Narayanamohan
Indian Enterprises
Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI)
President
9
Linus Goh
Banking/Finance
The Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS)
Head of Global Commercial Banking, OCBC Bank
10
Ho Nyok Yong (Dr) Construction
Singapore Contractors’ Association Ltd
President
11
Roderick Chia
Infocomm
Singapore Infocomm Technology Federation
Chairman, rodVENTURE
12
Quek Keng Liang
Logistics
Singapore Logistics Association
Chairman
13
Ricky Souw (Dr)
Precision Engineering Singapore Precision Engineering & Tools Association
Immediate Past President
14
Wong Sioe Hong
Retail
Singapore Retailers Association
Vice-President
15
Ernie Koh
Furniture
Singapore Furniture Industries Council
President
16
Susan Chong
Environment/ Sustainability
Greenpac (S) Pte Ltd
CEO
17
R Dhinakaran
Retail
Jay Gee Melwani Group
Managing Director
18
Cynthia Phua
Real Estate
Singbridge Corporate Pte Ltd
Executive Vice President
19
Glenndle Sim
Offshore, Marine and Oil & Gas
Mencast Group
Executive Chairman & CEO
20
Melvin Tan
Engineering, System Integration
Cyclect Group
Managing Director
21
Nanz ChongKomo
Entrepreneur
Nanz Inc Group Pte Ltd
Founder
52
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013
SBF Secretariat Management Team CEO OFFICE
Ho Meng Kit, Chief Executive Officer
Victor Tay, Chief Operating Officer
GLOBAL BUSINESS DIVISION China & North Asia
Edith Cheong, Assistant Executive Director
Jeffrey Liew, Director
AMERICAS, MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA, EUROPE & OCEANIA
Martin Yuoon, Assistant Executive Director
Cody Lee, Director
Renee Koh, Deputy Director
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION
Annual Report 2013
53
SBF Secretariat Management Team ASEAN & SOUTH ASIA / GLOBAL-ASIA HUB
Thian Tai Chew, Assistant Executive Director
Alan Tan, Director ( ASEAN & South Asia)
Joshua Ong, Director (Global Asia Hub)
Business Continuity & Financial Management Touw June Wah, Deputy Director
Mentorship & Productivity Irene Chen, Deputy Director
CAPACITY BUILDING
Neo Kian Siong, Assistant Executive Director
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Crispian Lye, Deputy Director
54
Stephen Phoon, Deputy Director
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013
MEMBER RELATIONS & SERVICES
Cheryl Kong, Assistant Executive Director
SME COMMITTEE
Mabel Tang, Deputy Director
Lam Kong Hong, Director
CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATE SERVICES
FINANCE
Gerald De Cotta, Director
Esther Chong, Assistant Executive Director
Shirley Lim, Deputy Director
HUMAN RESOURCE
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Lynette Kueh, Senior Manager
Quek Keng Oei, Senior Manager
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION
Annual Report 2013
55
Singapore Business Federation Partners LOCAL PARTNERS Trade Associations And Business Chambers (SBF Council – Past And Present)
OVERSEAS PARTNERS Trade Associations, Business Chambers & Organisations
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
ASEAN • ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN BAC) • ASEAN Chambers of Commerce & Industry • ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Association • Board of Trade of Thailand • Cambodia Chamber of Commerce • Danang Investment Promotion Center • Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers • Himpunan Pengusaha Muda Indonesia • Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN Indonesia) • Iskandar Regional Development Authority • Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry • Makati Business Club, Philippines • Malaysia International Chamber of Commerce & Industry • National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Malaysia • Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry • Thai Chamber of Commerce • Trade and Tourism Promotion Centre of Lam Dong Province • Union of Myanmar Chambers of Commerce and Industry • Vietnam Chamber of Commerce & Industry
American Chambers of Commerce, Singapore Association of Banks in Singapore Association of Small and Medium Enterprises Australian Chamber of Commerce, Singapore British Chamber of Commerce, Singapore European Chamber of Commerce, Singapore Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Singapore Korean Chamber of Commerce, Singapore Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry Singapore Contractors Association Ltd Singapore-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce Singapore Hotel Association Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry Singapore Infocomm Technology Federation Singapore International Chamber of Commerce Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce & Industry Singapore Manufacturing Federation Singapore National Employers Federation Singapore Shipping Association
TRADE ASSOCIATIONS, BUSINESS CHAMBERS & ORGANISATIONS (OTHERS) • Africa South East Chamber of Commerce • Association of Companies and Professionals in the Oil, Gas and Related Industries, Asia Pacific • China Enterprise Association, Singapore • Energy Studies Institute, National University of Singapore • French Chamber of Commerce in Singapore • Gas Association of Singapore • Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Singapore • Italian Chamber of Commerce in Singapore • Marine Offshore Oil & Gas Association of Singapore • Middle East Institute, National University of Singapore • Nanyang Business School, Nanyang Technological University • National Association of Travel Agents Singapore • New Zealand Chamber of Commerce, Singapore • Real Estate Developers’ Association of Singapore • Restaurant Association of Singapore • Singapore Chemical Industry Council • Singapore Food Manufacturers’ Association • Singapore Furniture Industries Council • Singapore Human Resource Institute • Singapore Logistics Association • Singapore National Co-operative Federation • Singapore Nightlife Business Association • Singapore Precision Engineering & Tools Association • Singapore Retailers Association • Singapore-Turkey Business Association • Textile and Fashion Federation
56
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013
OCEANIA • Singapore Chamber of Commerce (Western Australia) SOUTH ASIA • Ceylon Chamber of Commerce • Confederation of Indian Industry • Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry • Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry • The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India • The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka • West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation NORTH ASIA • All-China Federation of Industry & Commerce • China Council for the Promotion of International Trade • Chinese International Economic Cooperation Association, Taiwan • Chinese National Federation of Industries, Taiwan • Chamber of Commerce DPR of Korea • East Asia Business Council • Federation of Korean Industries • Guangdong Chamber of Commerce • Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce • Hong Kong Trade Development Council • International Chamber of Commerce China • Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• • • • •
Keidanren, Japan Korea International Trade Association Kyushu Economic Federation, Japan Macao Chamber of Commerce Singapore Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China (SingCham)
CENTRAL ASIA • Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan • Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan • Kurdistan Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry AFRICA • Algerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry • Association of Ghana Industries • Board of Investment, Mauritius • Botswana Export Development & Investment Authority • Burkina Faso Chamber of Commerce and Industry • Cape Verde Investment Promotion Agency • CEO Roundtable-Tanzania • Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ivory Coast • Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts of Niger • Confederation of Enterprises of Morocco • General Authority for Investment and Free Zones, Egypt • Ivorian Business Chamber • Libyan British Business Council • Tanzania Private Sector Foundation • Tanzania Investment Centre • Togo Chamber of Commerce and Industry • Tunisian Union for Industry, Commerce & Handicrafts • Uganda Investment Authority • Uganda National Chamber of Commerce & Industry MIDDLE EAST • Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry • Ajman Chamber of Commerce and Industry • Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry • Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry • Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry • Dubai Government, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing • Duqm Special Economic Zone Authority, Oman • Egyptian Businessmen’s Association • Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines • Jordan Chamber of Commerce • Kuwait Chamber of Commerce & Industry • Kurdistan Chamber of Commerce - Sulaimani • Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry • Public Authority for Investment Promotion and Export Development, Oman • Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry • Qatari Businessmen Association • Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry
EUROPE • All Russia Public Organization “Delovaya Rossiya” • All Russian Non-Governmental Organization of Small and Medium-Sized Business “OPORA Russia” • Austrian Economic Chamber • Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry • Budapest Chamber of Commerce and Industry • Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry • Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Romania • Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation • Confederation of Finnish Industries • Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic • Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry • Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey • Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina • Hungarian Foreign Trade Association • Invest Macedonia • International Chamber of Commerce Lithuania • Irish Business and Employers Federation • MEDEF International • Polish Chamber of Commerce • Romania-Singapore Chamber of Commerce and Industry • Russian Business Incubator • Swiss Business Federation • Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey • Ukrainian National Committee of the International Chamber of Commerce • Ukrainian League of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs • Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry AMERICAS • Comexperu The Foreign Trade Association of Peru • Commission for the Promotion of Peru • Export-Import Bank of the United Sates • Federation of Industries of Rio Grande do Sul • Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo • Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade, Investment and Technology • ProChile Trade and Investment • ProMéxico Trade and Investment • São Paulo Chamber of Commerce • Sociedad de Comercio Exterior del Perú • U.S. Chamber of Commerce INTERNATIONAL • APEC Business Advisory Council • Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation • Chinese Taipei APEC Study Center • Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry • International Chamber of Commerce • National Center for APEC • U.S. National Center for APEC • U.S. – ASEAN Business Council
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION
Annual Report 2013
57
Singapore Business Federation Partners GOVERNMENT PARTNERS Local • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority Agency for Science, Technology and Research Building Construction Authority Competition Commission Singapore Housing Development Board Infocomm Development Authority Of Singapore Institute of Policy Studies, National University of Singapore Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore International Enterprise Singapore JTC Corporation Land Transport Authority Ministry of Communications and Information Ministry of Defence Ministry of Finance Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry of Health Ministry of Home Affairs Ministry of Manpower Ministry of The Environment and Water Resources Ministry of Trade and Industry National Security Coordination Secretariat Singapore Customs Singapore Customs Academy Singapore Economic Development Board SPRING Singapore (Standards, Productivity and Innovation Board) Urban Redevelopment Authority Workforce Development Authority
58
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013
Foreign • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Anshun Municipal People’s Government, China Australian Trade Commission, Singapore Badan Koordinasi Penanaman Modal Indonesia Batam Indonesia Free Zone Authority Board of Investments, Thailand East Coast Economic Region Development Council, Malaysia Fujian Provincial Department of Foreign Trade & Economic Cooperation Guangzhou Development District, China Hungarian Investment and Trade Development Agency Invest in France Agency Invest in Spain Iskandar Regional Development Authority, Malaysia Italian Trade Commission in Singapore Malaysian Investment Development Authority Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation Ministry of International Trade & Industry, Malaysia Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency Philippine Department of Trade & Industry Philippine Economic Zone Authority Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency Sabah Development Corridor and Investment Authority Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency Swiss Business Hub Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau Thailand Department of International Trade Promotion U.S. Department of Commerce UBIFRANCE
List of Activites 2013 SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS, DIALOGUE SESSIONS ORGANISED BY SBF VOICE REPRESENTATION February
December
• 2013 Global Outlook-What’s in it for Singapore Business? • Briefing on the Enhanced Marriage & Parenthood Package • Briefing on Singapore Budget 2013 for Trade Associations and Chambers
• Briefing on Amendments of the Employment Act (Phase 2) and the IR Act • Focus Group Discussion on Tax Issues
March
BUSINESS FACILITATION & NETWORKING February
• SME Committee Strategic Planning Session with Trade Associations and Chambers • Seminar on Budget 2013 • Briefing on Wage Credit Scheme: Implications on HR & Employers • Briefing on Trade Schemes and Regulations • Briefing on Workplace Safety and Health Scheme & Programmes • Briefing on the Employment Act, Foreign Manpower Policy, and Fair Employment Practices
April
• SBF ASEAN Business Group Breakfast Networking Session with IE Singapore Centre Directors: Malaysia & Indonesia Markets • Singcham-SBF Lunar New Year Networking Reception
March • Belarus-Singapore Business Forum • Spain and Italy: Trade, Business, Franchise & Investment Opportunities • Trans-Pacific Partnership Cocktail Reception • Mongolia-Singapore Business Forum
• 2013 2nd APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Meeting
April
May
• 2nd Briefing on NWC Guidelines for 2013/2014 and Tripartite Guidelines on the Job Flexibility Scheme
• China Council for the Promotion of International Trade: 7th Chinese Enterprises Outbound Investment Conference • MENA Insights Series-Update on Egypt • ‘Dubai Means Business’ Seminar • Briefing on New U.S. Sanctions on Iran and Implications for Singapore Businesses • ABAC Seminar on Business Opportunities in Chile, Peru & Mexico • Bangladesh Trade and Investment Seminar
July
May
• Briefing on iSPRINT Scheme and Personal Data Protection Act • Briefing on Enhanced PIC Scheme & PIC Bonus and WDA’s Programmes & Activities • Briefing on Workplace Integration & Diversity Management • Eminent Leaders’ Series: Dialogue with Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam
• Seminar on Lille Region in France: The Smart Place to do Business in Europe • Netherlands: Launchpad to the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement • Brazil Transport Infrastructure and Investment Opportunities • Saudi Delegation Networking Session with Singapore Business Community • SBF Africa Business Group Awareness Seminar: Spotlight on Mauritius • Opportunities of Doing Business in Sri Lanka
• Briefing on Work-Life Schemes and Practices • Briefing on National Wages Council Guidelines for 2013/2014 and the Legal Framework for Union Representations for PMEs
June
September • Briefing on Company’s Tax Obligations and Wage Credit Scheme
October • National Security Conference 2013 • Global Entrepolis @ Singapore: SME Convention • Briefing on Fair Consideration Framework
November • Briefing on Creating a Healthy Workplace • Briefing on Revised XBRL Filing Requirements & HR and Finance Management Strategies for Business
June • Tanzania-Singapore Business Forum • Networking Luncheon for Tanzania Presidential Delegation and Forum Sponsors • Vietnam Market Insights Seminar: Business Opportunities in ThanhHoa Province
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION
Annual Report 2013
59
List of Activites 2013 CAPACITY BUILDING January
July • Kyushu-Singapore Business Forum • SBF Africa Business Group Awareness Seminar: Spotlight on Mozambique • Opportunities in Brazil’s Pre-Salt and Inland Gas Areas • Cameroon-Singapore Business Forum • SBF Africa Business Group Awareness Seminar: Spotlight on Kenya • Seminar on Myanmar: Progress, Potential and Promise
August • MENA Insights Series: Updates on Iraq
September • Russia-Singapore Business Forum • Spotlight on Duqm Special Economic Zone, Oman • Gulf Cooperation Council – Singapore Free Trade Agreement Outreach Seminar • Invest in Western Australia Seminar Series: Business and Investment Opportunities in Western Australia • SBF Africa Business Group Awareness Seminar: Spotlight on Ukraine
October • Global Entrepolis @ Singapore 2013 • Global Entrepolis @ Singapore: Supply Chain Leadership Forum • Global Entrepolis @ Singapore: Indonesia Market Insights Track • Global Entrepolis @ Singapore: Myanmar Market Insights Track • Global Entrepolis @ Singapore: China Market Insights Track • Global Entrepolis @ Singapore: Japan Market Insights Track • Asia Pacific Sustainability Leadership Forum • SBF Africa Business Group Awareness Seminar: Spotlight on Botswana • Focus on Hungary: First Hungary-Singapore Business to Business Meeting • Implementing the European Union – Singapore Free Trade Agreement: Opportunities for European and Singapore Businesses • Dubai Airport Freezone Seminar
November • Africa-Asia Oil & Gas Summit • Business Horizon Series: Exploring Merger & Acquisition Opportunities in Europe • Investment Opportunities in Central Java Province, Indonesia • CEO Roundtable with Singapore Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China Mr Stanley Loh • Singapore Business Insights briefing organised for Korean InfoCom Technology
60
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013
• Powerful Solutions for Business Resilience – Enterprise Risk Management or Business Continuity Management? • SBF-WDA Empowering Efficiency & Excellence (3E) Productivity Programme • Business Continuity Management Award 2013: Optimising Between Business Opportunities and Risks • Marketing ROI: A Cost Benefit Analysis • CEO Workshop: bizSAFE Level 1 • Accounting 101: A Crash Course for Non-Accountants • Accelerating Productivity Growth through Mobile Strategies • Risk Management Course: bizSAFE Level 2 • CEO Breakfast Roundtable Workplace Successes: Embracing Families in Businesses • Vietnam Labour Law
February • Business Continuity Management Manager Course • SBF-BDO Family Business Workshop: Succeeding Generations, Preserving Ties • Unravelling Financial Statements: The Art of Interpreting Published Numbers • Workshop on Case-Studies on 30 Pitfalls, Tricks & Traps in Letters of Credit Transactions • Workshop on Drafting Employment Contract • Workshop on Employment of Foreign Workers: Legal Obligations
March • Productivity Information Session: Improving Productivity – Where Can You Jumpstart? • Breakfast Talk: Embark on a Successful Cloud Journey • Leading with Business Continuity: 2-Day ISO 22301 BCM Standard Manager • Having the End in Mind: Financial Planning & Budgeting • Singapore Sustainability Alliance Meeting • Sustainable Plus Seminar • Workshop on China Value-Added Tax • Workshop on Financial Reporting Standards Updates • Minimising Payment Defaults for Business Success
April • APEC SME Forum on Innovation • Breakfast Talk: Business Transformation – Transform Today’s Businesses and Master the Challenges of the Future • Heighten Business Productivity, Reduce Business Risks • VI2: Vietnam, Indonesia & India - Country Risks Series • ASEAN Financial Thought Leadership • Integrated Reporting Dialogue • Workshop on Malaysia Employment Act
May • APEC Emergency Preparedness Working Group: Business Continuity Planning – Policies, Practices and Programs • Implementing BCM according to ISO 22301…..A Practitioner’s Perspective • Breakfast Talk: The Business Solution to Increasing Productivity, Saving Tangible & Intangible Costs & Reducing Risk • Mentoring Roundtable on Business Restructuring by Mentor Mr Lim Soon Hock: Business Restructuring: Tough Measures for Tough Times • CEO Challenges 2013: Human Capital & Operational Excellence Find Out Why? • Workshop on UCP 600 & ISBP 2007
June • APAC Country Risks Series: Payment Trends & Credit Risk of Asia Pacific • Mandarin Mentoring Roundtable on Family Business by Mentor Mr Poh Choon Ann • Mentoring Roundtable Session on Family Businesses hosted by Mr Shabbir Hassanbhai • In Dialogue Session with Mentor Mr Wong Fong Fui: Sustaining Unbroken Lineage over Business Cycles – A Myth or Reality in Challenging Times? • Roundtable with Professor John Ruggie - Business and Human Rights • Workshop on Applying New FRS Consolidation Standards • Seminar on Mergers and Acquisitions
July • Is Your Current Cloud Working Out For You? • Transformational Strategies to Resilient & Proactive Business: Breakfast talk on Optimising Business Value and Achieving Operational Excellence • Harnessing Supply Chain Productivity to Drive Business Profits • Quantifying Returns on Growth Initiatives • Productivity & Cost Management: An Activity-Based Approach • Workshop on Corporate Governance and Directors’ Duties & Liabilities • Seminar on Managing Distributors • Workshop on Thailand Employment Act • Workshop on Vietnam Employment Act
August • Breakfast talk on Regional Business Profitability : Analyse Your Business Profit and Achieve Real Business Profit • Improving Business Resiliency & Productivity Through Cloud Technology-Revolutionary Solutions • Effective Receivables Management: A Holistic Pre-Emptive Approach
• G4 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines Workshop: Communicating What Matters • Community Engagement Programme: Workshop on the Key to Protect Your Business - A Harmonious and Resilient Workplace • Workshop on Withholding Tax
September • Breakfast Talk: A World Immersed in Disruptive Technology • Stakeholder Consultation on Haze and Sustainable Agriculture • CSR Thought Leaders Lecture Series: International Regulatory Trends including the UK Bribery Act: Where are we now? • Complexities in Simple Practical Corporate Tax • Indonesia Labour Law • Workshop on Productivity & Innovation Credits • Seminar on Transfer Pricing • CEO Networking Night: Previewing the Singapore Sports Hub • Workshop on Termination & Dismissal • Workshop on Work Injury Compensation Act
October • Sustainability Reporting Training Seminar: A Practical Approach • Workshop on Employment Act • Workshop on Letters of Credit: An In-depth Understanding for Importers & Exporters • Workshop on Retirement & Re-Employment Act • Workshop on The Art of Drafting an Employee Handbook • Islamic Finance Services Conference
November • Optimise Business Value and Achieve IT Operational Excellence • Crisis Management and Communications • Tax Matters : A Matter of Due Diligence • Management Reporting for Accountability & Insight • CSR 101 for SMEs: Achieving Economic Sustainability with Social and Environmental Sustainability • CEO Breakfast Talk on Monetising Leadership Quality: Leadership Equity Through The Analysts’ Lens • Workshop on Goods & Services Tax (GST): Understanding GST to Avoid Common Pitfalls and Manage Audit Queries
December • Workshop on Incoterms • Workshop on Discipline Handling at the Workplace from HR & Legal Perspective • Workshop on Drafting and Negotiating Commercial Contracts
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION
Annual Report 2013
61
List of Activites 2013 EVENTS SUPPORTED BY SBF January • SME Development Conference
February • The Outlook for New Zealand business in Singapore and Southeast Asia in 2013 • ICPAS Internationalisation Seminar: Internationalisation for Growth – Partnering for Success into China Market
March • Business Power Up: LinkedIn • iAdvisory Seminar Series: Doing Business in Japan
April
November • Seminar on Opportunities for Singapore Companies in Eastern Germany • SBF Africa Business Group - Africa South East Asia Chamber of Commerce Roundtable • Taiwan Business Forum • Malaysia Business Forum
December • Seminar on Business Investment Opportunities in Italy
DELEGATION VISITS HOSTED BY SBF January
• Briefing on New U.S. Sanctions on Iran for Singapore Shipping Industry • Women in Business: Marketing and Branding • Business Power Up: Twitter Tactics • Senior Batam Official Experiential Learning Programme on Singapore-Indonesia Investment • China (Yunnan)-Singapore Economic Cooperation and China-South Asia Expo Promotion Seminar • iAdvisory Seminar Series: Doing Business in Taiwan • “Win in City of Wealth – Chengdu” Investment Forum
• CEO Roundtable in Conjunction with State Visit of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands • Dialogue Session with Amadou Boubacar Cissé, Minister of State for Planning, Territorial and Community Development, Niger • Business Roundtable with Ethiopia Delegation • Delegation from Yantai, China • Delegation from Ningbo Foreign Trade & Cooperation Bureau
May
• CEO Roundtable with Singapore High Commissioner to Malaysia, Mr Ong Keng Yong, on Malaysian General Elections • Delegation from Anshan, China
• New Zealand & Asian Economic Update and 2013 Budget Review Breakfast • Hong Kong Trade Development Council Networking cum Luncheon Talk in Singapore • Tianjin Eco-City Investment Seminar
August • Finland Education Business Networking Event • Start-up Enterprise Conference
September • Business Breakfast with Bill English, New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
October • Beauty Rendezvous – UbiFrance Delegation • GES: Special Feature on Doing Business in Estonia • GES–Nigeria Singapore Business and Investment Forum 2013 • Forum on Sino-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City
March
April • SBF Africa Business Group Business Horizon Series – “Africa - From the Hopeless to a Hopeful Continent (The History, Politics & Economic Transition)” • Courtesy Call from Estonia Foreign Affairs Committee • Industry Engagement Session on Business Interests in Turkey • SBF Middle East Business Group Ambassadorial Talks: Dialogue Session with Dr Ismieal Shafiq Muhsin, Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq • Delegation from Yancheng, China • Visit by China Asean Exposition Secretariat Team by Mr. Shi Zhuyao, Vice Secretary General • Delegation from Guizhou • Delegation from Nantong, China • Delegation from Chongqing, China
May • Delegation from Chongqing Business Federation
62
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013
June
November
• Roundtable Session with Hungarian IT Companies • Roundtable on Challenges and Opportunities in Cuba’s Economic Reforms • Tanzania-Singapore Business Roundtable Meeting • Delegation from Thanh Hoa, Vietnam • Delegation from Suzhou Industrial Park
• Luncheon with French Business Leaders following Business Mission to France • Delegation from Guangxi Beibu Gulf International Port Group • Delegation from Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency • Delegation from Tama, Japan • Delegation from Kitakyushu, Japan • Delegation from Taiwan
July • Singapore-Costa Rica FTA Outreach Roundtable • Delegation from Rizhao, China • Visit by China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Management Committee • Visit by Standard Chartered Korea Delegation • Delegation from Shanghai, China • Delegation from Zhejiang, China • Delegation from Deloitte, Chongqing
December Park
August • Queensland-Singapore Trade & Investment Roundtable with Queensland Trade Minister and Treasurer Tim Nicholls • Courtesy Call on SBF Chairman by Republic Of Korea Ambassador Suh Chung Ha • Courtesy Call on SBF Chairman by Republic Of Korea Congressman Kim Jung-Hoon and Delegation • Delegation from China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) • Delegation from Chengdu, China • Delegation from Taicang, Jiangsu, China • Delegation from Huizhou Zhongkai High-tech Zone
September • Delegation from Yantai, China • SBF-Indonesian Chamber of Commerce & Industry Meeting on Haze • Delegation from Sweden • Delegation from the Federation of Indian Export Organisations, India
October • Delegation from Jiangsu (Taicang City), China • Visit by Guangxi Foreign Affairs Office • Visit by China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) • Delegation from Shaoguan, China • Delegation from Shandong, China • Delegation from Vietnam • Roundtable session with Philippine Trade Secretary Gregory L. Domingo • Delegation from German Maritime Industry • Delegation from UK Trade & Investment, South East and London
• Delegation from Yunnan, China • Delegation from Xi’an, China • Delegation from Guangxi Trade Promotion Agency
OVERSEAS BUSINESS MISSIONS March • Business Mission to Iraq • International Business Fellowship Executive Programme on Vietnam: Danang & Ho Chi Minh City
April • Business Mission to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam • SBF-Singapore Airlines Business Mission to Iskandar Malaysia • Business Mission to the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade – 7th Chinese Enterprises Outbound Investment Conference for the Singapore Day Seminar
May • • • • •
2nd China International Fair for Trade In Services Business Mission to Angola and Mozambique Greentech Business Mission to Yangzhou, China Greentech Business Mission to Germany International Business Fellowship Executive Programme on Indonesia: Jakarta • Business Mission to Shandong • Business Mission to Chongqing, China, for the Singapore Day Seminar at the 16th China International Investment and Global Sourcing Fair
June • 20TH Southern African International Trade Exhibition and Africa’s Big Seven – Johannesburg, South Africa • International Business Fellowship on Russia: Moscow and St Petersburg • SMU-SBF Business Mission to Myanmar • 18th SME’s 2013, The International Spring Trade Fair (Mongolia) • 5th East Asia Business Forum @ Tianjin, China • Singapore Urban Solutions Business Mission to Russia
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION
Annual Report 2013
63
List of Activites 2013 OVERSEAS BUSINESS MISSIONS SUPPORTED BY SBF March
July • Business Mission to Ghana and Ivory Coast • Business Mission to Fukuoka, Japan for the Singapore Day Seminar at the Kyosokan Conference
August
• Business Mission to Medini, Iskandar Malaysia
April • CEO Business Mission to Yangon, Myanmar • Business Mission to Guizhou, China
• Business Mission to Tanzania and Uganda
May
September
• Business Mission to Shandong, China
• 10th China-ASEAN Exposition • Business Mission to Laos: Vientiane • International Business Fellowship Executive Programme on Turkey: Istanbul • International Business Fellowship Executive Programme on Middle East: Doha & Abu Dhabi • Greentech Business Mission to Japan – Tokyo and Kyushu
July
October • Business Mission to France & Poland • International Business Fellowship Executive Programme on Myanmar: Yangon • Business Mission to Xiamen, China for the Singapore Day Seminar at the China International Fair for Investment and Trade
November • Business Mission to Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovak Republic • AgriLiveStock Myanmar’13 • International Business Fellowship Executive Programme on India • SBF-Taipei Business Association in Singapore Business Mission to Iskandar, Malaysia
64
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013
• Family Business Learning Journey to Estonia & Helsinki
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION 10 Hoe Chiang Road #22-01 Keppel Towers Singapore 089315 Tel +65 6827 6828 Fax +65 6827 6807 www.sbf.org.sg