WE SPEAK FOR OUR WE MEMBERS ARE SBF WE CHAMPION ENTERPRISE WE ENGAGE THE ANNUAL REPORT 2013 COMMUNITY WE LINK WE SERVE BUSINESSES WE CARE FOR 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 FEDERATION PROFILE Our Beginnings, Our Objectives 01 Board of Trustees 42 2013 Facts & Figures 04 Council Members (2012-2014) 43 Chairman’s Message 06 SBF Committees 51 SBF-led SME Committee 52 YEAR IN REVIEW SBF Secretariat – Management Team 53 2013 Milestones 10 Singapore Business Federation Partners 56 Voice Representation 14 List of Activites 2013 59 Business Networking & Facilitation 21 Capacity Building 32 SBF Milestones (2002-2013) 38 ABOUT US
Our Beginnings Our Objectives
• In the late 1990s, amid the rapidly changing global • To enhance the organisation of the business community economic and business landscape, the government, in in Singapore. consultation and with the support of business leaders, called for a more comprehensive organisation and • To represent, advance, promote and protect, in representation of the Singapore business community. Singapore and abroad, the major business interests (such as investment, trade opportunities and labour • With the passing of the SBF Act by Parliament in July management issues) of business entities carrying on 2001, all Singapore-registered companies with a paid-up commerce and industry in Singapore. 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.
• SBF was established on 1 April 2002 and officially launched by then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong on 11 April 2002.
UILDI Y B NG IT G C R A O IONS & S P U AT ER A P V C L SUPPORT BUSINESS E I C
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R BUILD RELATIONS S
THROUGH CAPACITY
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BETWEEN BUSINESS
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ENVIRONMENT
SIN BU ESS AL G B R O O L U
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ASSIST
STRATEGIC STRUCTURE
COMPANIES TO
FOCUS TO SUPPORT
ACCESS GLOBAL
MISSION
OPPORTUNITIES
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013 1 WE CARE FOR SOCIETY WE CHAMPION ENTERPRISE WE SERVE AND SUPPORT
2 SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013 WE ENGAGE WE THE COMMUNITY CHAMPION ENTERPRISE WE LINK BUSINESSES WE SPEAK FOR OUR MEMBERS
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013 3 2013 Facts & Figures
Total number 550 of activities Total number of participants engaged74,500
Total number of in-coming 102 delegations Total number of out-going 39 missions
4 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 SHARE CAPITAL 7.00% OF SBF $1m to less than $5m MEMBERS $0.5m to less than $1m 40.56% 37.32%
Oil & Gas 0.18% Hotels, Restaurants & Accommodations 2.37% Real Estate Activities 3.06% Wholesale Trade Retail Trade INDUSTRY 23.41% 3.52% PROFILE OF Manufacturing IT & Related Services SBF MEMBERS 14.97% 4.21% Others (e.g. holding/ Banking & Insurance investment companies) 4.51% 12.74% Logistics & Transportation Services 5.72% 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 Facilitation Agreement by WTO Members at its Ministerial Federation. Meetingn i Bali in December. We look forward to the speedy implementation of this Agreement which will increase We launched the SBF Foundation, established the NTU-SBF global trade and create more jobs benefitting businesses, Centre for African Studies and inaugurated the SBF Business governments and workers. At ASEAN and APEC, we continued Institute.e W became a more effective advocate of business. to advocate for greater regional integration of our economies to allow our Members better access to a larger and more The Federation engaged some 74,500 participants in 550 efficient market. events and activities organised and supported by SBF. These included incoming and outgoing business missions, seminars, Ast par of our efforts to help Members build capability, the SBF policy briefings, workshops and surveys. Mentorship Programme facilitated dialogue sessions between SME bosses and experienced Captains of Industries, allowing SBF continued to proactively support Members’ efforts to the sharing of valuable experience and tips for success. SBF internationalise their business. We led 39 overseas business also collaborated with partners to launch the Young Business missions to Asia, Africa and Central and Eastern Europe in Leaders Alliance to support young entrepreneurs and responseo t Members’ interests in these markets. We also business leaders. received 102 in-coming delegations from some 40 countries. These enabled our Members to make valuable contacts, The launch of the SBF Foundation by the Prime Minister in access information and help forge strong links with their November is a new milestone for SBF. It provides a platform for overseas partners. businesses to do their part in inclusive growth by promoting corporate social responsibility and corporate philanthropy. There was heightened interest in Africa, with four outgoing Many Founding Donors have contributed generously to the missions covering seven African countries and 19 incoming Foundation. I thank them again for their donations and their African missions during the year. Our market activities for Africa belief in the good works that the Foundation will do. were capped by the inaugural Africa Asia Oil & Gas Summit whiche w organised. At this Summit, the NTU-SBF Centre for Another milestone will be the opening of the permanent African Studies was inaugurated. I am very thankful to the five headquarters for SBF in late 2016. It will be located in a prime SBF Members who have donated $1 million each to help fund downtown development named the “SBF CENTER”. We are this Centre. grateful to Far East Organization, led by Mr Philip Ng, for this landmark contribution. SBF also led a business delegation to Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovak Republic in conjunction with President Tony Tan SBF has made steady progress since its founding in 2002. Keng Yam’s State visits. Another SBF mission accompanied The Federation rests on a firm footing to serve the varied needs Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on his official visit to France and aspirations of its 21,000 Members. I am heartened that the and Poland. level of our activities and Members’ participation have grown steadily over the years. Importantly, we are receiving more During the year, SBF made further progress as a voice of positive feedback from our Members of the benefits they have business.n I 2011, we formed the SBF-led SME Committee received. SBF is playing a more important role for Singapore to provide our SME Members with a more coordinated voice businesses, and I encourage Members to continue to support to Government. Through this Committee, the Federation the activities of the Federation to build a vibrant and resilient continued to engage Government Agencies on issues business community. relating to business costs, manpower crunch, financing and productivity. Io wish t express my deep appreciation to the Board of Trustees, my fellow Council Members, the SBF Secretariat, business Wee ar heartened that a significant proportion of the partners and you, our Members, for your commitment and 33 recommendations to the Minister for Finance by the dedication over this past year. I hope that you will continue to SBF-led SME Committee were included in Singapore support and shape the SBF in the years ahead. 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 Tony Chew Leong-Chee collective efforts with the international business community Chairman played a role in the successful conclusion of the Trade 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 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 The Foundation, which was mooted by Mr Tony Chew, Board of Directors includes: Chairman, Singapore Business Federation, hopes to encourage businesses to become more actively involved in • Mr Peter Chay Fook Yuen, Deputy Managing Partner, community development. As the apex business chamber, KPMG LLP SBF believes it has a role to play in encouraging businesses • Mr Cheng Wai Keung, Chairman, Wing Tai Holdings to become more involved in contributing to the well-being • Ms Foo Mee Har, Member of Parliament of the Republic of society. In particular, SBFF will work with the business of Singapore community to promote corporate social responsibility and • Mr Ho Meng Kit, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore corporate philanthropy to uplift the less privileged and Business Federation improve our environment. It also aims to promote the welfare • Mr Koh Seow Chuan, Founder, DP Architects Pte Ltd of the low-wage, elderly and other disadvantaged employees, • Mr Kwee Liong Keng, Managing Director, Pontiac Land as well as education to enhance the employability of needy Pte Ltd and disadvantaged youths through partnerships with the • Mr N Sreenivasan, Senior Counsel and Managing Director, business community. Straits Law Practice LLC
“AS THE APEX BUSINESS CHAMBER, SBF BELIEVES IT HAS A ROLE TOY PLA 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 • 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 At the launch, SBF gratefully acknowledged the generous • Jurong Engineering Limited gifting by Far East Organization of 22,000 square feet of • Ms Olivia Lum, Hyflux Group officee spac at SBF Center, under the Community and Sports • Mr Ho Meng Kit Facilities Scheme, to the Foundation. It also thanked its • Mr Shabbir H. Hassanbhai, Indo Straits Trading founding donors for their generous donations. Co. (Pte) Ltd
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013 11 2013 Milestones
Inauguration of NTU-SBF Centre for African Studies The Centre will be launched by the second half of 2014. At the Summit, five of Singapore’s leading investors in Africa were The Singapore Business Federation and the Nanyang recognised for their contributions to the Centre’s funding. Technological University signed a Memorandum of Indorama Group, Olam International, Pacific International Understanding (MOU) on 27 November 2013 to establish Lines, Tolaram Group and Wilmar International, have each the NTU-SBF Centre for African Studies. The first of its kind donated S$1 million to the Centre’s endowment fund. in South-East Asia, it will provide in-depth insights on the diverse African market through research, workshops and Government response to the Budget 2013 programmes. To be hosted at NTU’s Nanyang Business School, Recommendations the Centre aspires to build knowledge on business, politics and social economics to strengthen the capabilities of policy Since its inception in 2011, the SBF-led SME Committee (SMEC) makers and businesses for their engagement with Africa. 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.
Budget 2014 recommendations were submitted on 30 Signing of MOU between SBF CEO Mr Ho Meng Kit and NTU Dean of December 2013, urging the Government to allow more Nanyang Business School, Professor Ravi Kumar 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.
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 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.
The Strategic Planning Session in March helped foster closer relationships with trade associations and chambers not Members’ Briefing: Amendments of the Employment Act (Phase 2) and represented on SMEC and provided a platform for future the Industrial Relations Act on 6 December 2013 collaboration. SMEC also inaugurated the Innovation Sub- committee 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.
16 SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013 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 • Singapore ministers who hosted the meeting took the AND APEC opportunity to reiterate the city state’s commitment to APEC, shared views on Asia-Pacific developments, and ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN BAC) promoted Singapore as a Global Asia Hub. The regional SBF was actively involved in key projects of ASEAN BAC in 2013: forum provided various networking opportunities for SBF members to meet prominent businessmen from the • SBF secured sponsorships and helped to garner responses APEC economies. 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.
• 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 On the right: Mr Ho Meng Kit, CEO of SBF, at the 2nd ABAC Meeting organisation, as the AYEA would be formed under the auspices of the ASEAN BAC of which SBF is the national Singapore secretariat.
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 Guest of honour Deputy Prime Minister Mr Teo Chee Hean interacting business leaders and senior government officials from the with guests at the ABAC Gala Dinner 21 APEC economies.
18 SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013 • 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 ABAC Dialogue with Leaders in Bali in October 2013 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. • 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 The SBF-led Singapore business delegation with PM and Minister • France-Singapore Business Forum Lim Hng Kiang • Poland-Singapore Business Forum
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 In conjunction with President Tony Tan Keng Yam’s state visit to Central Eastern Europe to lobby for the ratification of the EU- Singapore 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 France-Singapore Business Forum – Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Understanding was also initialed at the Singapore-Hungary (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 Business Forum between SBF and Budapest Chamber of dialogue with French companies 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 networking and matching opportunities for companies enabled SBF to extend its reach of the region, especially for and helped in increasing access to business ventures. Our specific markets such as Hungary which is doing well in terms engagement with top African officials and business leaders of economic performance and pro-business policies. 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 Hungary-Singapore Business Forum was well attended by more than 130 Hungarian participants 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
A MOU signed between SBF, represented by Vice Chairman Mr Teo Siong Deepening Engagement with Africa Seng, and Mr Martin Okumu, Acting Secretary General for the Uganda Emerging markets in Africa present numerous opportunities National Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Singapore companies and interest in the continent is growing.n I 2013, SBF mounted business missions to Angola, Africa Asia Oil and Gas Summit, Mozambique, Ghana, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Tanzania 27 – 28 November 2013 and Uganda to explore trade and investment opportunities. The inaugural Africa Asia Oil and Gas Summit (AAOGS) These missions helped create greater awareness and interest organised by SBF served as a platform for African and Asian for our companies and generated some S$30 million in new governments, leading oil and gas stakeholders and related business opportunities. businesses to share, develop and gain insights into the latest developments and opportunities available in Africa. SBF received 19 incoming high-level delegations from Africa in 2013. Prominent dignitaries included the President of The Summit helped to profile Singapore / Asia companies’ Tanzania; Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment; oil and gas developmental experience and capabilities, and Ethiopian State Minister for Industry; Niger’s Minister of provided Africa delegates access to expertise in developing a State for Planning, Territorial and Community Development; more vibrant oil, gas and petrochemicals ecosystem. Equatorial Guinea’s Minister for Mines, Industry and Energy; Africa’s richest black businesswoman Mrs Folorunso Alakija, The summit was attended by some 270 high-level government Executive Vice Chairman of FAMFA Oil. Through these and private sector representatives from 29 countries, engagements, SBF was able to create numerous high level including four African Ministers.
22 SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013 Welcome address by SBF Vice Chairman and Africa Business Group Ministerial Panel moderated by SBF Africa Business Group Advisor Chairman Mr Shabbir Hassanbhai 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-its- kind technology investment roundtable with young Russian SBF Chairman Mr Tony Chew giving the welcome address and Singaporean start-ups to ignite and convert the best new ideas to reality.
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 President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov speaking COMPANIES. OUR FAMILIARITY WITH SOUTH-EAST at RSBF ASIA, IN PARTICULAR, ALSO MEANS THAT WE ARE WELL- PLACEDO T SERVE AS AN ENTRY POINT INTO ASEAN ANDS IT COMBINED MARKET OF 600 MILLION PEOPLE.”
- Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam
24 SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013 ASIA 2nd China Beijing International Fair for Trade in SME’s 2013, The International Spring Trade Fair Services (CIFTIS), 28 May – 1 June 2013 (Mongolia), 7 – 11 June 2013 With the support of the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), The International Spring Trade Fair is the largest trade fair SBF successfully organised Singapore’s participation in the organised by the Mongolia National Chamber of Commerce 2nd CIFTIS held in Beijing. The aim was to profile and promote & Industry. SBF, with the support of IE Singapore, organised Singapore services companies expanding their business in a Singapore Pavilion at the Misheel Expo Center in China and to increase trade in exportable services between Ulaanbaatar. SBF led a total of 11 Singaporean companies Singapore and China. SBF’s business delegation, totalling from the building materials and food & beverage industry to some 150 delegates, was the largest foreign delegation to participate as exhibitors in the trade fair. The expo attracted the 2nd CIFTIS. Close to 138,000 trade visitors and officials more than 10,000 trade visitors and consumers with a focus from 117 countries and regions around the world visited the on enhancing international standards of imported brands and fair and a total of 415 projects valued at US$78.69 billion to demonstrate new technology and products into Mongolia. were concluded. 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.
Mr Teo Chee Hean, DPM and Coordinating Minister for National Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Security and Minister for Home Affairs led Singapore’s official accompanied by Minister of State for Trade and Industry (MOS) Mr Teo Ser Luck, led the Singapore official delegation to CIFTIS 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, Panel discussion during the Singapore Day Seminar at CAEXPO Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Vice Chairman Mr Liang Shengli, and delegates at the Singapore National Pavilion
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 To commemorate the 40th anniversary of Singapore-Vietnam delegation of prominent businessmen from leading Diplomatic Relations, SBF organised a business mission to Ho Singapore companies for this visit. The mission, which was in Chi Minh City and co-hosted a Vietnam-Singapore Business conjunction with President Tony Tan Keng Yam’s visit, was to Forum. The forum focused on real estate financing, tourism, advance business-to-business relations between Singapore healthcare services, manufacturing and logistics. and Myanmar. A networking lunch reception was organised for President Tan to interact with Singapore delegates. “THERE IS STILL SIGNIFICANT INTEREST IN VIETNAM FROM SINGAPORE BUSINESSES. THE KEY OBJECTIVE OF THIS BUSINESS MISSION IS TO BOOST THE BUSINESS- TO-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
Markets Insights Series at GES Business Leaders’ President Tony Tan accompanied by SBF Chairman Mr Tony Chew, Summit 2013, 28 – 31 October 2013 speaking to a UOB representative, Mr Ivan Wong 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 Panel discussion on key success factors & challenges of doing business Economic Community 2015’ led by Dr Sanchita Basu Das (far right), Lead in Indonesia led by Dr Robert Yap (right), Chairman, ASEAN Business Researcher of Economic Affairs at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies Group, during the Indonesia Market Insights session
Mr Poh Choon Ann, Vice Chairman of SBF Panel discussion on China’s new economic growth model offering new business opportunities and China Business Group giving the welcome challenges to Singapore and Southeast Asia at the China Market Insights Seminar address at the China market insights Seminar at GES
Mr Haruhisa Takeuchi, Ambassador of Japan to Singapore, giving the Participants networking at GES opening address at the Japan Market Insights seminar
28 SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013 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 Chairman of Kyushu Economic Federation Mr Mr Yutaka Aso and SBF Chairman Mr Tony Chew sealing the MOU 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.
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. Delegates networking at the forum 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.
• 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 Briefing on “The Future of Infocomm Technology” for the Korean on Singapore’s business environment and using Singapore ICT companies as the springboard to ASEAN.
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, Panel discussion involving Singapore Economic Development Board, Beijing, China. 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, Singapore companies UOB, Rajah & Tann, A.S. Louken and RSM Chio Lim Nanning, China. at CIFIT
Helping Representative Offices Upgrade DEVELOPING STRATEGIC TOOLS TO ENGAGE GAH partnered business providers in tax/advisory, legal, FOREIGN COMPANIES HR and financial services to brief Senior Management from Business Services Resource Guide Representative Offices (RO) based in Singapore on the process and benefits of incorporating a company in Singapore. To facilitate better understanding of Singapore’s business Strategic Partners of AccessAsia were also invited to provide environment and regulations, GAH published the and market their services to the ROs during the briefings. Business Services Resources Guide in English, Chinese and Japanese languages. The Guide serves to provide essential GAH organised five Representative Offices (RO) briefings information on doing business in Singapore, and was that were attended by 97 corporate representatives. In 2013, published in collaboration with partners such as RSM Chio 10 ROs have upgraded their presence in Singapore to either a Lim, Standard Chartered Bank and Japanese Chamber of subsidiary or a branch company. Commerce and Industry.
30 SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013 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, Supply Chain Leadership Forum, 31 October 2013 24 January 2013 Local and international thought leaders discussed the latest Through the Business Continuity Management (BCM) Award, outlook on global supply chain, challenges and risks faced, SBF acknowledged 20 enterprises who have committed as well as new approaches to sustainable, resilient and their efforts and resources in ensuring that their company innovative growth at the Supply Chain Leadership Forum. is BCM-ready. The forum allowed for sharing of best practices and tested methodologies in today’s global supply chain, benefitting Over 160 senior management executives learned how BCM about 100 leading businessmen. 24 BCM-ready enterprises and Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) can increase the were also recognised at the event for adopting best practice reliability of a company’s operation, build its resilience to in BCM. 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.
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 Through the programme’s roundtable sessions and one-to- Booklets) one mentoring, participants benefit from the sharing and advice of eminent and successful business personalities. Since In response to the haze episode in June 2013, SBF produced its launch, there has been growing interest from family-owned the BCM and Workplace Safety Booklets which incorporated businesses, mainly from Chinese-speaking backgrounds, to best practices that can be adopted by businesses in understand diverse business issues, ranging from dispute Singapore. Containing over 50 success stories, the booklet resolutiono t talent retention. In 2013, the Federation embarked aims to help the business community deal with the haze on conducting mentorship sessions in Mandarin. situation in Singapore.
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 Workplace Safety and Health on evolving business excellence 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 Mentor, Shabbir H Hassanbhai, Director of Indo Straits Trading Co Pte Ltd gain a better understanding on how to improve their financial management capabilities and resilience. “THE SIZE OF THE ROUNDTABLE IS JUST RIGHT FOR EVERYONE TO SHARE. THE MENTOR COMES WITH GOOD HUMAN CAPITAL MENTORSHIP & PRODUCTIVITY Empowering Businesses through Greater Innovation EXPERIENCE AND HE IS VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE!” and Productivity - 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 Mentor, Wong Fong Fui, Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer of groom businesses into globally competitive companies. Boustead
34 SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013 Productivity Programmes: Enhancing Productivity- Young Business Leaders Alliance (YBLA) led and Quality-driven Growth In 2013, SBF formed the Young In partnership with government agencies, SBF is represented Business Leaders Alliance (YBLA) in the National Productivity and Continuing Education to foster better network support Council (NPCEC), which aims to boost skills and enterprise for young business leaders and productivity, as well as develop a comprehensive system for entrepreneurs. The YBLA was continuing education and training. Led by Chairman Tony created in collaboration with five ethnic chambers and Chew, SBF provides strategic leadership in driving the national organisations, namely Business Leaders Alumni Club, three productivity agenda. One such initiative from the council is Young Entrepreneur Networks at Singapore Chinese Chamber the Empowering Efficiency and Excellence (3E) Productivity of Commerce and Industry, Singapore Malay Chamber of Programme, supported by the Singapore Workforce Commerce and Industry, Singapore Indian Chamber of Development Agency (WDA). The programme focuses on Commerce and Industry and a group of 22-individual YBLs. training “Productivity Champions” who will be equipped with productivity know-how and tools over a three-month period. The YBLA will create a common platform for promising young leaders to benefit from peer learning and represent Since its launch in 2nd quarter of 2012, the Federation has business interests locally and internationally. It will serve as since assisted some 30 companies from different industries. a convergence point for Singapore’s young business leaders Over 150 productivity champions received consultation from to foster friendships, share experience and network. productivity specialists and underwent training through a series of in-house projects. The programme garnered positive The YBLA was launched at the Global Entrepolis @ Singapore feedback from participating companies, resulting in new 2013 SME Convention by Guest of Honour, Mr Teo Ser Luck, applications from more project groups and staff. 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 Participants at a Productivity programme SECTOR, AND WILL SPEARHEAD THE DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH OF OUR COMPANIES ON THE GLOBAL STAGE.”
“THE PROGRAMME INTRODUCES TECHNIQUES THAT – Guest of Honour, Mr Teo Ser Luck, Minister of State for Trade ENABLE US TO IMPROVE THE UNDERSTANDING OF HOW and Industry. 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.”
– 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 Singapore Sustainability Awards, 31 October 2013 2009, Singapore continues to increase its efforts in building The Singapore Sustainability Awards is an initiative of an efficient, clean and green society. 2013 saw the launch of SBF that aims to strengthen Singapore’s position as a global new initiatives by the Federation, further spreading the reach and regional hub in Sustainable Development. The awards and deepening the efforts in creating a sustainable city. serves as a yardstick for enterprises to benchmark against leading companies’ sustainable business practices and Asia Pacific Sustainability Leadership Forum (APSLF), solutions. Through the awards, 14 companies from various 31 October 2013 industries were recognised for exemplifying business APSLF 2013 presented modern day issues on the topic of excellence in embracing sustainable practices. 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.
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 Singapore Sustainability Study Handbook Directory 2013 SBF in collaboration with the National University of Singapore To complement SBF’s sustainability (NUS) Business School published a handbook which efforts, the Federation published documented successful case studies of the 2012 winners the 2013 Singapore Sustainability of the Singapore Sustainability Awards. The handbook was Directory to profile Singapore-based launched by Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Singapore’s Minister for enterprises in the sustainability the Environment and Water Resources, at the Asia Pacific sector. The Directory, which lists Sustainability Leadership Forum on 31 October 2013. 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 / eco- friendly products and services, across all major Sustainable Development sectors. The Case Studies Handbook provides insights on the motivations and Singapore International Arbitration Centre experiences of the Awards winners’ The Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) entered sustainability journeys, and serves into an alliance with SBF in 2003 to strengthen its ties with the as a source of reference to inspire companies towards greater excellence business community and step up its promotion of arbitration in their sustainability practices services for businesses. This was a collaboration aimed to develop Singapore as a centre for international arbitration. SBF-NUS Executive Leadership Programme, 20 - 29 June 2013 SIAC has made steady progress over the years as a provider of arbitration services to the global business community and Organised by SBF and the National University of Singapore has seen a robust increase in case filings in 2013. Mr Lucien (NUS) Business School, participants of the five-day course Wong, Chairman and Senior Partner of Allen & Gledhill LLP engaged in in-depth discussions and learned critical and Member of the SBF Board of Trustees, was appointed sustainability concepts which they could apply to their own Chairman of the Board of Directors of SIAC in 2013. business endeavours. As part of the programme, participants developed bespoke Sustainability Plans for their own International Chamber of Commerce organisations, which they would thereafter implement. 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 saleC of IC publications to its members to enhance their trade finance knowledge.
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013 37 SBF Milestones 2002 - 2013
• Launched the Middle East Business Group • Hosted and co- • Focused on promoting business • Supported the World organised the and investment opportunities Economic Forum (WEF) in ASEAN Business and both in Singapore and abroad partnership with EDB Investment Summit, • Doubled its offerings of • Participation in the and the inaugural activities and events for Federation’s events reached ASEAN Business members 22,000, double that of 2004 Awards 2007 2003 2005 2002 2004 2006
• Officially launched by then • Launched the inaugural issue • Introduced the Mentoring Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong of BiZQ to update members on Programme on 11 April 2002 business and industry insights • Recognised both locally and • Mr Stephen Lee assumed the • Formation of the Malaysia- overseas as an apex chamber chairmanship of the Singapore Singapore Business Council (MSBC) of the Singapore business Business Federation to forge closer economic ties community • Organised more than 50 events between both countries and activities, which catered to • Jointly presented Global Entrepolis some 10,000 members @ Singapore with Economic Development Board (EDB), attracting participants from over 40 countries
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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 THERESA FOO-YO MIE YOEN LUCIEN WONG Chairman Member Member • Board Member, Singapore • Chairman, Gardens by the Bay • Chairman and Senior Partner of Allen Telecommunications Limited • Chairman, The Esplanade Co Ltd & Gledhill LLP, Advocates & Solicitors, • Board Member, Banyan Tree • Chairman, Singapore Business Singapore Holdings Limited Federation Foundation • Director, Hap Seng Plantations • Board Member, Metro Holdings • Chairman, Viva Foundation for Holdings Berhad Limited Children with Cancer Limited • Director, Singapore Airlines Limited • Board Member, MediaCorp • Member, Singapore Business • Director, Singapore Health Services Private Limited Advisory Consultants & Council Pte Ltd • Chairman of Charity Council • Member, Board of Trustees of • Director, Singapore Press Holdings Singapore National Employers Limited Federation • Director, Temasek Holdings • Board Director, Ecquaria Limited (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 ABDUL ROHIM SARIP PBM GAUTAM BANERJEE Chairman Vice Chairman Vice Chairman • Executive Chairman, Asia Resource • Immediate Past President, Singapore • Senior Advisor to the Blackstone Group Corporation Malay Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of Blackstone Singapore • Chairman, KFC Vietnam, Macondray & Industry • Board Member of the following: Holdings, Alliance Asia Investment • Lawyer and Managing Partner, - Economic Development Board Pte Ltd A Rohim Noor Lila & Partners - Government of Singapore • Independent Director, Keppel • Member, SME Committee, SBF Investment Corporation Pte Ltd Corporation • Member, Malaysia Singapore - Singapore Airlines Limited • Member, National Productivity and Business Council - Singapore International Arbitration Continuing Education Council • Board Member, SCORE Centre • Member, Enterprise Development • Committee Member ACCORD - Singapore Legal Service Commission Advisory Council • Director, Institute of South East - Straits Trading Company Limited • Member, Chinese Development Asian Studies - Piramal Enterprises Ltd (India) Assistance Council Board of Trustees • Vice President, Casa Raudha • Governing Board Member, • Adviser, Singapore Institute of Women Home Yale-NUS College International Affairs • Member, Medishield Life • Term Trustee, Singapore Indian • Conferred Meritorious Service Medal Review Committee Development Association (2013), Public Service Star (2008), • Volunteer, Jamiyah Legal Clinic • Member, Indian Heritage Centre Public Service Medal (2001), NUS Steering Committee, Outstanding Service Award (2011) 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 RANGARAJAN TANG KIN FEI Vice Chairman NARAYANAMOHAN Vice Chairman • Director, Indo Straits Trading Co (Pte) Vice Chairman • Group President & CEO, Sembcorp Ltd & related companies • Chairman, Singapore Indian Industries Ltd • Director, Al Badawi General Trading Chamber of Commerce and Industry • Director, Sembcorp Marine Ltd and LLC, UAE and Oman • SBF Member- Finance & Investment various other Sembcorp companies • Director, Gateway Distriparks Ltd Committee • Council Member, Singapore Chinese & Group of companies, India • Senior Partner, Natarajan & Chamber of Commerce & Industry • Director, Intraco Limited Swaminathan, Charted Accountant • Chairman, SBF China Business Group • Director, Singapore Business Advisors Singapore • Member, Abu Dhabi-Singapore and Consultants Council • Board of Trustees, Institute of Business Forum and Saudi-Singapore • Chairman Advisory Board, NTU-SBF South East Asian Studies, Member Economic City Business Forum Centre for Africa Studies Executive Committee & Fund Raising • Chairman, Ngee Ann Polytechnic • Chairman, Africa-Singapore Business Committee. Council Group, Middle East Business Group, • Member of the People’s Association • Vice Chairman and Trustee, Co-Chair Singapore-Oman Business Talents Advisory Council 2009/2011 Kwong Wai Shiu Hospital Council, SBF • Vice Chairman, Tamil Language • Co-chairman, Saudi-Singapore • Vice President, Singapore Indian Council (MCYS) Business Council Development Association (SINDA) • Represents Sembcorp Industries on • Member, Oman-Singapore Joint the Singapore- Jiangsu Cooperation Committee, Ministry of Foreign Council, Singapore-Zhejiang Affairs Economic & Trade Council • 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 SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013 TEO SIONG SENG DR ROBERT YAP CHIN KOK PHILIP NG CHEE TAT Vice Chairman Vice Chairman Honorary Secretary • Nominated Member of Parliament • Chairman & CEO of YCH Group • Chief Executive Officer, Far East (NMP) Singapore • ASEAN Business Advisory Council, Organization • Managing Director, Pacific Singapore Chairman • Director, Sino Group (Hong Kong) International Lines (Pte) Ltd • Founding Chairman of Supply • The Singapore-China Foundation • Chairman & CEO, Singamas Chain Asia Board of Governors Container Holdings Limited • Vice President, Singapore National • Advisory Board for the Centre for • Immediate Past President of Employers Federation Liveable Cities (CLC) Singapore Chinese Chamber of • Board Member of International • Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Commerce & Industry Enterprise Singapore (IE) Singapore University of Technology • Honorary Consul of The United & Maritime and Port Authority and Design Republic of Tanzania in Singapore of Singapore (MPA) • Co-opted Member and Chair, • Chairman of Singapore Maritime • Board of Advisors at Singapore Singapore Health Services Pte Ltd Institute Governing Council National Committee for Pacific (SingHealth) Property Committee • Chairman of The Standard Steamship Economic Cooperation (SINCPEC), • Member, Board of Directors of the Owners’ Protection and Indemnity ASEAN SME Advisory Board and SMU Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellowship Association (Asia) Ltd School of Information Systems. • Member, MOH Holdings Healthcare • Director, Business China Infrastructure and Planning • Independent Director, China Committee (HIPC) 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)
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013 45 Council Members (2012 – 2014)
OLIVIA LUM BOB TAN BENG HAI CHONG SIAK CHING Deputy Honorary Secretary Honorary Treasurer Deputy Honorary Treasurer • Executive Chairman & Group CEO • Chairman, Jurong Engineering • Chief Executive Officer, National of Hyflux Ltd Limited Gallery Singapore • Board Member of the International • Chairman, Institute of Technical • Board Member of Singapore Press Enterprise Singapore Education Holdings Limited • Member of the Singapore-Oman • Chairman, Singapore LNG Pte Ltd • Board Member of National Business Council, Singapore Business • Chairman, SINGEX holdings Pte Ltd Arts Council Federation • Director of SMRT Corporation Ltd • Board Member of Jurong Health • Member of the Singapore-Zhejiang • Director of CapitaMalls Asia Ltd Services Private Limited Economic and Trade Council, • Vice President of Singapore National • Member of National University of Singapore-Jiangsu Cooperation Employers Federation Singapore (NUS) Board of Trustees Council & Singapore-Tianjin • Co-Chairman of Tripartite Alliance • Member of Yale-NUS College Economic & Trade Council for Fair Employment Practices Governing Board • Board of Trustee Member of The • Member of National Wages Council Chinese Development Assistance • Board Member of Ong Teng Cheong Council Labour Leadership Institute • Patron of The Singapore Productivity • Member of NTUC Club Association Management Council • 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
46 SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013 CHAN CHONG BENG PIYUSH GUPTA GEORGE HUANG CHANG YI Member Member Member • President, Association of Small and • Chief Executive Officer and Director • President, Singapore Manufacturing Medium Enterprises (ASME) of DBS Group, as well as Director of Federation • Chairman, Goodrich Global Pte Ltd DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited and • Managing Director, Amoy Canning • Member, SBF-led SME Committee The Islamic Bank of Asia Limited Corporation, (S) Ltd (SMEC) • Council Member of The Association • Honorary Consul-General • Chairman, Rising Business Costs of Banks in Singapore of the Federal Democratic Republic Sub-committee, SMEC • Deputy Chairman of SPRING of Ethiopia • Top Entrepreneur of the Year Singapore • Patron, Tampines Central Citizens’ • Board Member of the Institute of Consultative Committee International Finance, Washington • President, Chartered Management • Director of The Institute of Banking Institute Singapore Branch & Finance • Chairman-School Advisory • Board Member of the Human Capital Committee, Balestier Hill Secondary Leadership Institute School • Advisory Board Member of the Sim • Chairman, School of Humanities & Kee Boon Institute for Financial Social Sciences, Temasek Polytechnic Economics • Chairman, Business Practices • Managing Council Member of the Committee, Consumers Association Indian Business Leaders Roundtable of Singapore • Director of the MasterCard Asia/ • Chairman, Advisory Committee, Pacific, Middle East and Africa Singapore Environment Council Regional Advisory Board • Chairman, Singapore Business Advisors & Consultants Council
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013 47 Council Members (2012 – 2014)
SHANKER IYER SIMON KAHN KAY KUOK OON KWONG Member Member Member • Immediate Past Chairman, Singapore • Chairman, American Chamber • President, Singapore Hotels International Chamber of Commerce of Commerce in Singapore Association • Chairman, The Iyer Practice, • CMO, Asia Pacific, Google Inc • Executive Chairman, Shangri-La Accountants and Business Hotel Limited, Singapore Consultants • Managing Director, Shangri-La Hotels • Chairman, International Fiscal (M) Bhd Association (Singapore Branch) • 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 GRAHAM LEE LAWRENCE LEOW CHIN HIN Member Member Member • President, Japanese Chamber of • Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP • Executive Chairman, Crescendas Commerce & Industry, Singapore • Fellow, Institute of Singapore Group • Council Member, Singapore National Chartered Accountants and Member, • Chairman, SBF SME Committee Employers Federation Institute of Chartered Accountants (SMEC) • Committee Member, Japanese in Australia • Deputy President, Singapore Association Singapore • Immediate Past President, Australian Badminton Association • Director & General Manager, Chamber of Commerce, Singapore • Past President, Association of Small Sumitomo Mitsui Banking • Member, International Relations and Medium Enterprises Corporation Committee, Singapore Business • Chairman, School Advisory Federation 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 ALVIN YEO Member Member • President, European Chamber of • Senior Counsel Commerce (Singapore) • Senior Partner, WongPartnership LLP • Secretary, EU-ASEAN Business • Member of Parliament Council Asean • Member, Appeals Advisory Panel of • Council Member, Gerson Lehrman the Monetary Authority of Singapore Group (USA) • Member, Court of the Singapore • Advisory Board Member, FFA Asia International Arbitration Centre Pte Ltd • Director, United Industrial • Member, Aspen Institute (Italy) Corporation Ltd • President & CEO, Antaeus Pte Ltd • Director, Singapore Land Ltd • Shareholder, Electro Power Systems • Director, Keppel Corporation Ltd Spa (Italy) • Director, Neptune Orient Lines • Shareholder, VASS Srl (Italy) Limited
50 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 Mr Tony Chew (Chairman) Committee 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 SMEC Chairman 1 Lawrence Leow Real Estate Crescendas Group Executive Chairman 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 Chairman Industry 7 Abdul Rohim Malay Enterprises Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry Immediate Past Sarip (SMCCI) President 8 Rangarajan Indian Enterprises Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Narayanamohan (SICCI) 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/ Greenpac (S) Pte Ltd CEO Sustainability 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 Mencast Group Executive Oil & Gas Chairman & CEO 20 Melvin Tan Engineering, System Cyclect Group Managing Integration Director 21 Nanz Chong- Entrepreneur Nanz Inc Group Pte Ltd Founder Komo
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 Jeffrey Liew, Director Director
AMERICAS, MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA, EUROPE & OCEANIA
Martin Yuoon, Assistant Executive Cody Lee, Director Renee Koh, Deputy Director Director
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013 53 SBF Secretariat Management Team
ASEAN & SOUTH ASIA / GLOBAL-ASIA HUB
Thian Tai Chew, Assistant Executive Alan Tan, Director ( ASEAN & South Asia) Joshua Ong, Director (Global Asia Hub) Director
CAPACITY BUILDING
Neo Kian Siong, Assistant Business Continuity & Financial Mentorship & Productivity Executive Director Management Irene Chen, Deputy Director Touw June Wah, Deputy Director
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Crispian Lye, Deputy Director Stephen Phoon, Deputy Director
54 SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013 MEMBER RELATIONS & SERVICES SME COMMITTEE
Cheryl Kong, Assistant Executive Director Mabel Tang, Deputy Director Lam Kong Hong, Director
CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATE SERVICES FINANCE
Gerald De Cotta, Director Esther Chong, Assistant Executive Shirley Lim, Deputy Director 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 OVERSEAS PARTNERS Trade Associations And Business Chambers Trade Associations, Business Chambers (SBF Council – Past And Present) & Organisations • American Chambers of Commerce, Singapore ASEAN • Association of Banks in Singapore • ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN BAC) • Association of Small and Medium Enterprises • ASEAN Chambers of Commerce & Industry • Australian Chamber of Commerce, Singapore • ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Association • British Chamber of Commerce, Singapore • Board of Trade of Thailand • European Chamber of Commerce, Singapore • Cambodia Chamber of Commerce • Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Singapore • Danang Investment Promotion Center • Korean Chamber of Commerce, Singapore • Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers • Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry • Himpunan Pengusaha Muda Indonesia • Singapore Contractors Association Ltd • Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry • Singapore-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (KADIN Indonesia) • Singapore Hotel Association • Iskandar Regional Development Authority • Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry • Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry • Singapore Infocomm Technology Federation • Makati Business Club, Philippines • Singapore International Chamber of Commerce • Malaysia International Chamber of Commerce & Industry • Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce & Industry • National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Malaysia • Singapore Manufacturing Federation • Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry • Singapore National Employers Federation • Thai Chamber of Commerce • Singapore Shipping Association • Trade and Tourism Promotion Centre of Lam Dong Province TRADE ASSOCIATIONS, BUSINESS CHAMBERS & • Union of Myanmar Chambers of Commerce and Industry ORGANISATIONS (OTHERS) • Vietnam Chamber of Commerce & Industry • Africa South East Chamber of Commerce • Association of Companies and Professionals in the Oil, OCEANIA Gas and Related Industries, Asia Pacific • Singapore Chamber of Commerce (Western Australia) • China Enterprise Association, Singapore • Energy Studies Institute, National University of Singapore SOUTH ASIA • French Chamber of Commerce in Singapore • Ceylon Chamber of Commerce • Gas Association of Singapore • Confederation of Indian Industry • Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Singapore • Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and • Italian Chamber of Commerce in Singapore Industry • Marine Offshore Oil & Gas Association of Singapore • Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry • Middle East Institute, National University of Singapore • The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of • Nanyang Business School, Nanyang Technological India University • The Board of Investment of Sri Lanka • National Association of Travel Agents Singapore • West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation • New Zealand Chamber of Commerce, Singapore • Real Estate Developers’ Association of Singapore NORTH ASIA • Restaurant Association of Singapore • All-China Federation of Industry & Commerce • Singapore Chemical Industry Council • China Council for the Promotion of International Trade • Singapore Food Manufacturers’ Association • Chinese International Economic Cooperation Association, • Singapore Furniture Industries Council Taiwan • Singapore Human Resource Institute • Chinese National Federation of Industries, Taiwan • Singapore Logistics Association • Chamber of Commerce DPR of Korea • Singapore National Co-operative Federation • East Asia Business Council • Singapore Nightlife Business Association • Federation of Korean Industries • Singapore Precision Engineering & Tools Association • Guangdong Chamber of Commerce • Singapore Retailers Association • Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce • Singapore-Turkey Business Association • Hong Kong Trade Development Council • Textile and Fashion Federation • International Chamber of Commerce China • Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry
56 SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013 • Keidanren, Japan EUROPE • Korea International Trade Association • All Russia Public Organization “Delovaya Rossiya” • Kyushu Economic Federation, Japan • All Russian Non-Governmental Organization of Small and • Macao Chamber of Commerce Medium-Sized Business “OPORA Russia” • Singapore Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China • Austrian Economic Chamber (SingCham) • Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry • Budapest Chamber of Commerce and Industry CENTRAL ASIA • Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry • Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of • Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Romania Kazakhstan • Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian • Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan Federation • Kurdistan Federation of Chambers of Commerce and • Confederation of Finnish Industries Industry • Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic • Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry AFRICA • Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey • Algerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry • Foreign Trade Chamber of Bosnia and Herzegovina • Association of Ghana Industries • Hungarian Foreign Trade Association • Board of Investment, Mauritius • Invest Macedonia • Botswana Export Development & Investment Authority • International Chamber of Commerce Lithuania • Burkina Faso Chamber of Commerce and Industry • Irish Business and Employers Federation • Cape Verde Investment Promotion Agency • MEDEF International • CEO Roundtable-Tanzania • Polish Chamber of Commerce • Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ivory Coast • Romania-Singapore Chamber of Commerce and Industry • Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts of Niger • Russian Business Incubator • Confederation of Enterprises of Morocco • Swiss Business Federation • General Authority for Investment and Free Zones, Egypt • Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey • Ivorian Business Chamber • Ukrainian National Committee of the International • Libyan British Business Council Chamber of Commerce • Tanzania Private Sector Foundation • Ukrainian League of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs • Tanzania Investment Centre • Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry • Togo Chamber of Commerce and Industry • Tunisian Union for Industry, Commerce & Handicrafts AMERICAS • Uganda Investment Authority • Comexperu The Foreign Trade Association of Peru • Uganda National Chamber of Commerce & Industry • Commission for the Promotion of Peru • Export-Import Bank of the United Sates MIDDLE EAST • Federation of Industries of Rio Grande do Sul • Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry • Federation of Industries of the State of São Paulo • Ajman Chamber of Commerce and Industry • Mexican Business Council for Foreign Trade, Investment • Bahrain Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Technology • Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry • ProChile Trade and Investment • Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry • ProMéxico Trade and Investment • Dubai Government, Department of Tourism and • São Paulo Chamber of Commerce Commerce Marketing • Sociedad de Comercio Exterior del Perú • Duqm Special Economic Zone Authority, Oman • U.S. Chamber of Commerce • Egyptian Businessmen’s Association • Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Mines INTERNATIONAL • Jordan Chamber of Commerce • APEC Business Advisory Council • Kuwait Chamber of Commerce & Industry • Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation • Kurdistan Chamber of Commerce - Sulaimani • Chinese Taipei APEC Study Center • Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry • Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce • Public Authority for Investment Promotion and Export and Industry Development, Oman • International Chamber of Commerce • Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry • National Center for APEC • Qatari Businessmen Association • U.S. National Center for APEC • Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry • U.S. – ASEAN Business Council
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013 57 Singapore Business Federation Partners
GOVERNMENT PARTNERS Local Foreign • Accounting & Corporate Regulatory Authority • Anshun Municipal People’s Government, China • Agency for Science, Technology and Research • Australian Trade Commission, Singapore • Building Construction Authority • Badan Koordinasi Penanaman Modal Indonesia • Competition Commission Singapore • Batam Indonesia Free Zone Authority • Housing Development Board • Board of Investments, Thailand • Infocomm Development Authority Of Singapore • East Coast Economic Region Development • Institute of Policy Studies, National University of Singapore Council, Malaysia • Institute of South Asian Studies, National University • Fujian Provincial Department of Foreign Trade of Singapore & Economic Cooperation • Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore • Guangzhou Development District, China • International Enterprise Singapore • Hungarian Investment and Trade Development Agency • JTC Corporation • Invest in France Agency • Land Transport Authority • Invest in Spain • Ministry of Communications and Information • Iskandar Regional Development Authority, Malaysia • Ministry of Defence • Italian Trade Commission in Singapore • Ministry of Finance • Malaysian Investment Development Authority • Ministry of Foreign Affairs • Malaysian External Trade Development Corporation • Ministry of Health • Ministry of International Trade & Industry, Malaysia • Ministry of Home Affairs • Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency • Ministry of Manpower • Philippine Department of Trade & Industry • Ministry of The Environment and Water Resources • Philippine Economic Zone Authority • Ministry of Trade and Industry • Polish Information and Foreign Investment Agency • National Security Coordination Secretariat • Sabah Development Corridor and Investment Authority • Singapore Customs • Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency • Singapore Customs Academy • Swiss Business Hub • Singapore Economic Development Board • Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau • SPRING Singapore (Standards, Productivity and • Thailand Department of International Trade Promotion Innovation Board) • U.S. Department of Commerce • Urban Redevelopment Authority • UBIFRANCE • Workforce Development Authority
58 SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013 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 Amendments of the Employment Act (Phase 2) • Briefing on the Enhanced Marriage & Parenthood Package and the IR Act • Briefing on Singapore Budget 2013 for Trade Associations • Focus Group Discussion on Tax Issues and Chambers March BUSINESS FACILITATION & NETWORKING • SME Committee Strategic Planning Session with Trade February Associations and Chambers • SBF ASEAN Business Group Breakfast Networking Session • Seminar on Budget 2013 with IE Singapore Centre Directors: Malaysia & Indonesia • Briefing on Wage Credit Scheme: Implications on HR & Markets Employers • Singcham-SBF Lunar New Year Networking Reception • Briefing on Trade Schemes and Regulations March • Briefing on Workplace Safety and Health Scheme & Programmes • Belarus-Singapore Business Forum • Briefing on the Employment Act, Foreign Manpower Policy, • Spain and Italy: Trade, Business, Franchise & Investment and Fair Employment Practices Opportunities • Trans-Pacific Partnership Cocktail Reception April • Mongolia-Singapore Business Forum • 2013 2nd APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Meeting April May • China Council for the Promotion of International Trade: 7th • Briefing on Work-Life Schemes and Practices Chinese Enterprises Outbound Investment Conference • Briefing on National Wages Council Guidelines for 2013/2014 • MENA Insights Series-Update on Egypt and the Legal Framework for Union Representations for • ‘Dubai Means Business’ Seminar PMEs • Briefing on New U.S. Sanctions on Iran and Implications for Singapore Businesses June • ABAC Seminar on Business Opportunities in Chile, Peru & • 2nd Briefing on NWC Guidelines for 2013/2014 and Mexico Tripartite Guidelines on the Job Flexibility Scheme • Bangladesh Trade and Investment Seminar July May • Briefing on iSPRINT Scheme and Personal Data Protection • Seminar on Lille Region in France: The Smart Place to do Act Business in Europe • Briefing on Enhanced PIC Scheme & PIC Bonus and WDA’s • Netherlands: Launchpad to the EU-Singapore Free Trade Programmes & Activities Agreement • Briefing on Workplace Integration & Diversity Management • Brazil Transport Infrastructure and Investment • Eminent Leaders’ Series: Dialogue with Deputy Prime Opportunities Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam • Saudi Delegation Networking Session with Singapore September Business Community • SBF Africa Business Group Awareness Seminar: Spotlight on • Briefing on Company’s Tax Obligations and Wage Credit Mauritius Scheme • Opportunities of Doing Business in Sri Lanka October June • National Security Conference 2013 • Tanzania-Singapore Business Forum • Global Entrepolis @ Singapore: SME Convention • Networking Luncheon for Tanzania Presidential Delegation • Briefing on Fair Consideration Framework and Forum Sponsors November • Vietnam Market Insights Seminar: Business Opportunities • Briefing on Creating a Healthy Workplace in ThanhHoa Province • Briefing on Revised XBRL Filing Requirements & HR and Finance Management Strategies for Business
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013 59 List of Activites 2013
CAPACITY BUILDING July January • Kyushu-Singapore Business Forum • Powerful Solutions for Business Resilience – Enterprise Risk • SBF Africa Business Group Awareness Seminar: Spotlight on Management or Business Continuity Management? Mozambique • SBF-WDA Empowering Efficiency & Excellence (3E) • Opportunities in Brazil’s Pre-Salt and Inland Gas Areas Productivity Programme • Cameroon-Singapore Business Forum • Business Continuity Management Award 2013: Optimising • SBF Africa Business Group Awareness Seminar: Spotlight on Between Business Opportunities and Risks Kenya • Marketing ROI: A Cost Benefit Analysis • Seminar on Myanmar: Progress, Potential and Promise • CEO Workshop: bizSAFE Level 1 • Accounting 101: A Crash Course for Non-Accountants August • Accelerating Productivity Growth through Mobile Strategies • MENA Insights Series: Updates on Iraq • Risk Management Course: bizSAFE Level 2 September • CEO Breakfast Roundtable Workplace Successes: Embracing Families in Businesses • Russia-Singapore Business Forum • Vietnam Labour Law • Spotlight on Duqm Special Economic Zone, Oman • Gulf Cooperation Council – Singapore Free Trade Agreement February Outreach Seminar • Business Continuity Management Manager Course • Invest in Western Australia Seminar Series: Business and • SBF-BDO Family Business Workshop: Succeeding Investment Opportunities in Western Australia Generations, Preserving Ties • SBF Africa Business Group Awareness Seminar: Spotlight on • Unravelling Financial Statements: The Art of Interpreting Ukraine Published Numbers October • Workshop on Case-Studies on 30 Pitfalls, Tricks & Traps in Letters of Credit Transactions • Global Entrepolis @ Singapore 2013 • Workshop on Drafting Employment Contract • Global Entrepolis @ Singapore: Supply Chain Leadership • Workshop on Employment of Foreign Workers: Legal Forum Obligations • Global Entrepolis @ Singapore: Indonesia Market Insights Track March • Global Entrepolis @ Singapore: Myanmar Market Insights • Productivity Information Session: Improving Productivity – Track Where Can You Jumpstart? • Global Entrepolis @ Singapore: China Market Insights Track • Breakfast Talk: Embark on a Successful Cloud Journey • Global Entrepolis @ Singapore: Japan Market Insights Track • Leading with Business Continuity: 2-Day ISO 22301 BCM • Asia Pacific Sustainability Leadership Forum Standard Manager • SBF Africa Business Group Awareness Seminar: Spotlight on • Having the End in Mind: Financial Planning & Budgeting Botswana • Singapore Sustainability Alliance Meeting • Focus on Hungary: First Hungary-Singapore Business to • Sustainable Plus Seminar Business Meeting • Workshop on China Value-Added Tax • Implementing the European Union – Singapore Free Trade • Workshop on Financial Reporting Standards Updates Agreement: Opportunities for European and Singapore • Minimising Payment Defaults for Business Success Businesses • Dubai Airport Freezone Seminar April • APEC SME Forum on Innovation November • Breakfast Talk: Business Transformation – Transform Today’s • Africa-Asia Oil & Gas Summit Businesses and Master the Challenges of the Future • Business Horizon Series: Exploring Merger & Acquisition • Heighten Business Productivity, Reduce Business Risks Opportunities in Europe • VI2: Vietnam, Indonesia & India - Country Risks Series • Investment Opportunities in Central Java Province, • ASEAN Financial Thought Leadership Indonesia • Integrated Reporting Dialogue • CEO Roundtable with Singapore Ambassador to the • Workshop on Malaysia Employment Act People’s Republic of China Mr Stanley Loh • Singapore Business Insights briefing organised for Korean InfoCom Technology
60 SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013 May • G4 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines Workshop: Communicating What Matters • APEC Emergency Preparedness Working Group: Business • Community Engagement Programme: Workshop on the Continuity Planning – Policies, Practices and Programs Keyo t Protect Your Business - A Harmonious and Resilient • Implementing BCM according to ISO 22301…..A Workplace Practitioner’s Perspective • Workshop on Withholding Tax • Breakfast Talk: The Business Solution to Increasing Productivity, Saving Tangible & Intangible Costs & Reducing September Risk • Breakfast Talk: A World Immersed in Disruptive Technology • Mentoring Roundtable on Business Restructuring by • Stakeholder Consultation on Haze and Sustainable Mentor Mr Lim Soon Hock: Business Restructuring: Tough Agriculture Measures for Tough Times • CSR Thought Leaders Lecture Series: International • CEO Challenges 2013: Human Capital & Operational Regulatory Trends including the UK Bribery Act: Where are Excellence Find Out Why? we now? • Workshop on UCP 600 & ISBP 2007 • Complexities in Simple Practical Corporate Tax June • Indonesia Labour Law • Workshop on Productivity & Innovation Credits • APAC Country Risks Series: Payment Trends & Credit Risk of • Seminar on Transfer Pricing Asia Pacific • CEO Networking Night: Previewing the Singapore Sports • Mandarin Mentoring Roundtable on Family Business by Hub Mentor Mr Poh Choon Ann • Workshop on Termination & Dismissal • Mentoring Roundtable Session on Family Businesses • Workshop on Work Injury Compensation Act hosted by Mr Shabbir Hassanbhai • In Dialogue Session with Mentor Mr Wong Fong Fui: October Sustaining Unbroken Lineage over Business Cycles – A • Sustainability Reporting Training Seminar: A Practical Myth or Reality in Challenging Times? Approach • Roundtable with Professor John Ruggie - Business and • Workshop on Employment Act Human Rights • Workshop on Letters of Credit: An In-depth Understanding • Workshop on Applying New FRS Consolidation Standards for Importers & Exporters • Seminar on Mergers and Acquisitions • Workshop on Retirement & Re-Employment Act July • Workshop on The Art of Drafting an Employee Handbook • Islamic Finance Services Conference • Is Your Current Cloud Working Out For You? • Transformational Strategies to Resilient & Proactive November Business: Breakfast talk on Optimising Business Value and • Optimise Business Value and Achieve IT Operational Achieving Operational Excellence Excellence • Harnessing Supply Chain Productivity to Drive Business • Crisis Management and Communications Profits • Tax Matters : A Matter of Due Diligence • Quantifying Returns on Growth Initiatives • Management Reporting for Accountability & Insight • Productivity & Cost Management: An Activity-Based • CSR 101 for SMEs: Achieving Economic Sustainability with Approach Social and Environmental Sustainability • Workshop on Corporate Governance and Directors’ Duties • CEO Breakfast Talk on Monetising Leadership Quality: & Liabilities Leadership Equity Through The Analysts’ Lens • Seminar on Managing Distributors • Workshop on Goods & Services Tax (GST): Understanding • Workshop on Thailand Employment Act GST to Avoid Common Pitfalls and Manage Audit Queries • Workshop on Vietnam Employment Act December August • Workshop on Incoterms • Breakfast talk on Regional Business Profitability : Analyse • Workshop on Discipline Handling at the Workplace from HR Your Business Profit and Achieve Real Business Profit & Legal Perspective • Improving Business Resiliency & Productivity Through • Workshop on Drafting and Negotiating Commercial Cloud Technology-Revolutionary Solutions Contracts • Effective Receivables Management: A Holistic Pre-Emptive Approach
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013 61 List of Activites 2013
EVENTS SUPPORTED BY SBF January November • SME Development Conference • Seminar on Opportunities for Singapore Companies in Eastern Germany February • SBF Africa Business Group - Africa South East Asia Chamber • The Outlook for New Zealand business in Singapore and of Commerce Roundtable Southeast Asia in 2013 • Taiwan Business Forum • ICPAS Internationalisation Seminar: Internationalisation for • Malaysia Business Forum Growth – Partnering for Success into China Market December March • Seminar on Business Investment Opportunities in Italy • Business Power Up: LinkedIn • iAdvisory Seminar Series: Doing Business in Japan DELEGATION VISITS HOSTED BY SBF April January • Briefing on New U.S. Sanctions on Iran for Singapore • CEO Roundtable in Conjunction with State Visit of Queen Shipping Industry Beatrix of the Netherlands • Women in Business: Marketing and Branding • Dialogue Session with Amadou Boubacar Cissé, Minister of • Business Power Up: Twitter Tactics State for Planning, Territorial and Community Development, • Senior Batam Official Experiential Learning Programme on Niger Singapore-Indonesia Investment • Business Roundtable with Ethiopia Delegation • China (Yunnan)-Singapore Economic Cooperation and • Delegation from Yantai, China China-South Asia Expo Promotion Seminar • Delegation from Ningbo Foreign Trade & Cooperation • iAdvisory Seminar Series: Doing Business in Taiwan Bureau • “Win in City of Wealth – Chengdu” Investment Forum March May • CEO Roundtable with Singapore High Commissioner • New Zealand & Asian Economic Update and 2013 Budget to Malaysia, Mr Ong Keng Yong, on Malaysian General Review Breakfast Elections • Hong Kong Trade Development Council Networking cum • Delegation from Anshan, China Luncheon Talk in Singapore April • Tianjin Eco-City Investment Seminar • SBF Africa Business Group Business Horizon Series – “Africa August - From the Hopeless to a Hopeful Continent (The History, • Finland Education Business Networking Event Politics & Economic Transition)” • Start-up Enterprise Conference • Courtesy Call from Estonia Foreign Affairs Committee • Industry Engagement Session on Business Interests in September Turkey • Business Breakfast with Bill English, New Zealand Deputy • SBF Middle East Business Group Ambassadorial Talks: Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dialogue Session with Dr Ismieal Shafiq Muhsin, October Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq • Delegation from Yancheng, China • Beauty Rendezvous – UbiFrance Delegation • y Visit b China Asean Exposition Secretariat Team by Mr. Shi • GES: Special Feature on Doing Business in Estonia Zhuyao, Vice Secretary General • GES–Nigeria Singapore Business and Investment Forum • Delegation from Guizhou 2013 • Delegation from Nantong, China • Forum on Sino-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City • 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 • Luncheon with French Business Leaders following Business • Roundtable on Challenges and Opportunities in Cuba’s Mission to France Economic Reforms • Delegation from Guangxi Beibu Gulf International Port • Tanzania-Singapore Business Roundtable Meeting Group • Delegation from Thanh Hoa, Vietnam • Delegation from Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency • Delegation from Suzhou Industrial Park • Delegation from Tama, Japan • Delegation from Kitakyushu, Japan July • Delegation from Taiwan • Singapore-Costa Rica FTA Outreach Roundtable • Delegation from Rizhao, China December • y Visit b China-Malaysia Qinzhou Industrial Park • Delegation from Yunnan, China Management Committee • Delegation from Xi’an, China • Visit by Standard Chartered Korea Delegation • Delegation from Guangxi Trade Promotion Agency • Delegation from Shanghai, China • Delegation from Zhejiang, China OVERSEAS BUSINESS MISSIONS • Delegation from Deloitte, Chongqing March August • Business Mission to Iraq • Queensland-Singapore Trade & Investment Roundtable • International Business Fellowship Executive Programme on with Queensland Trade Minister and Treasurer Tim Nicholls Vietnam: Danang & Ho Chi Minh City • Courtesy Call on SBF Chairman by Republic Of Korea April Ambassador Suh Chung Ha • Business Mission to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam • Courtesy Call on SBF Chairman by Republic Of Korea • SBF-Singapore Airlines Business Mission to Iskandar Congressman Kim Jung-Hoon and Delegation Malaysia • Delegation from China Council for the Promotion of • Business Mission to the China Council for the Promotion International Trade (CCPIT) of International Trade – 7th Chinese Enterprises Outbound • Delegation from Chengdu, China Investment Conference for the Singapore Day Seminar • Delegation from Taicang, Jiangsu, China • Delegation from Huizhou Zhongkai High-tech Zone May September • 2nd China International Fair for Trade In Services • Business Mission to Angola and Mozambique • Delegation from Yantai, China • Greentech Business Mission to Yangzhou, China • SBF-Indonesian Chamber of Commerce & Industry Meeting • Greentech Business Mission to Germany on Haze • International Business Fellowship Executive Programme on • Delegation from Sweden Indonesia: Jakarta • Delegation from the Federation of Indian Export • Business Mission to Shandong Organisations, India • Business Mission to Chongqing, China, for the Singapore October Day Seminar at the 16th China International Investment • Delegation from Jiangsu (Taicang City), China and Global Sourcing Fair • Visit by Guangxi Foreign Affairs Office June • y Visit b China Council for the Promotion of International • 20TH Southern African International Trade Exhibition and Trade (CCPIT) Africa’s Big Seven – Johannesburg, South Africa • Delegation from Shaoguan, China • International Business Fellowship on Russia: Moscow and St • Delegation from Shandong, China Petersburg • Delegation from Vietnam • SMU-SBF Business Mission to Myanmar • Roundtable session with Philippine Trade Secretary Gregory • 18th SME’s 2013, The International Spring Trade Fair L. Domingo (Mongolia) • Delegation from German Maritime Industry • 5th East Asia Business Forum @ Tianjin, China • Delegation from UK Trade & Investment, South East and • Singapore Urban Solutions Business Mission to Russia London
SINGAPORE BUSINESS FEDERATION Annual Report 2013 63 List of Activites 2013
OVERSEAS BUSINESS MISSIONS SUPPORTED BY SBF July March • Business Mission to Ghana and Ivory Coast • Business Mission to Medini, Iskandar Malaysia • Business Mission to Fukuoka, Japan for the Singapore Day April Seminar at the Kyosokan Conference • CEO Business Mission to Yangon, Myanmar August • Business Mission to Guizhou, China • Business Mission to Tanzania and Uganda May September • Business Mission to Shandong, China • 10th China-ASEAN Exposition July • Business Mission to Laos: Vientiane • International Business Fellowship Executive Programme on • Family Business Learning Journey to Estonia & Helsinki Turkey: Istanbul • International Business Fellowship Executive Programme on Middle East: Doha & Abu Dhabi • Greentech Business Mission to Japan – Tokyo and Kyushu October • Business Mission to France & Poland • International Business Fellowship Executive Programme on Myanmar: Yangon • Business Mission to Xiamen, China for the Singapore Day Seminart a 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
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