ED 47: January-February 2013

EDC Co r n E r
FirSt ever Singapore
converSation With SMeS
“Our Singapore Conversation” (OSC) with SMEs – SMEs voice concerns
Hosted by Mayor of North
East District Mr Teo Ser
Luck on 7 December 2012,
over 160 business owners
from 120 local small and
medium enterprises (SMEs) attended
the OSC held at ITE College East. Coorganised
by the North East Community
Development Council (NECDC) and
the Enterprise Development Centre at
the Association of Small and Medium
Enterprises (EDC@ASME), the OSC is
a national conversation targeted at local
heartland SMEs.
Some of the topics that were discussed
at this Conversation include: attributes
that will enable SMEs to succeed,
to reach their ideals, the roles of the
government and local stakeholders in
achieving this vision as well as the roles
of the merchants and SMEs in building a
caring community. The SMEs were also
asked for their views on how they would
envision Singapore’s economy in year
2030, and what they could do individually
or collectively to achieve or prevent such
scenarios.
Other than the recurring themes of
labour woes and risings costs, another
noteworthy trend amongst these SMEs
was their fear of being edged out by bigger
players and Multi-national Corporations
(MNCs). Many SME owners themselves
voiced out that they should band together
as a collective group for better chances
to win contracts, while others stressed
that there is a need for the government
to provide more opportunities to small
businesses for collaborative work,
instead of choosing MNCs. Many SMEs
are equally well-positioned to take over
some of the government-led initiatives
and projects.
With the ongoing labour crunch and
business landscape, many are simply
worried about their survival, as the high
costs and labour shortage makes it
difficult for local SMEs to compete with
bigger players who have the means and
resources to withstand this challenging
business climate.
Over half of the SMEs who attended
had fewer than 10 workers, and the
160 SME owners came from various
industries, including Education & Training,
Manufacturing, Health & Wellness and
Food & Beverage.
During the session, SME owners from
similar trades were grouped together
to discuss what Singapore should
continue to preserve and embrace or
change and improve for the betterment
of the economy and business landscape.
These views were collectively reviewed at
the end when all groups came together.
The SMEs shared many interesting
insights, practical solutions and
suggestions which can help make the
present business environment more
conducive. Mr Teo Ser Luck, Minister of
State for Trade and Industry, who was also
the host of the OSC mentioned that some
of these suggestions raised by the SMEs
are feasible and are worth considering in
terms of reviewing policies.
Ja n | FE b 2013
En t r E p r E n E u r s’ Di g E s t
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