ED 47: January-February 2013

24
small and medium
enterprises (SMEs) joined
the Association of Small
and Medium Enterprises
(ASME) in its inaugural ASME Forum
2012, a one-day event specially
organised on 14 November 2012 with
the entire SME ecosystem in mind. Coorganised
by ASME, the Employment
and Employability Institute (e2i), and
the Institute of Technical Education (ITE)
College East, the ASME Forum seeks
to uplift the image of SMEs to the local
community.
Faced with manpower shortage and
rising costs, the SME landscape is evermore
challenging today. Taking the lead
in promoting a pro-enterprise Singapore,
and ensuring that the entrepreneurial
spirit continues to flourish amongst the
SMEs, ASME, together with its partners
initiated the ASME Forum.
raising awareness
Developed and conceptualised as a oneday
event to profile and raise awareness
of SMEs to ITE students, it will be held
annually at the different ITE colleges
to highlight the importance of the role
of SMEs in Singapore’s economy and
showcase successful SMEs along with
the growth and employment opportunities
present within these companies.
“Creating and coping with change is
often easier said than done. Coping
with change requires consistent hard
work, discipline and a positive mindset.
Oftentimes, many are still unaware
that SMEs also do offer large scope of
growth opportunities and gainful career
employment. Hence, this ASME Forum
2012 was initiated with the entire SME
business ecosystem in mind,” said Mr
Chan Chong Beng, President of ASME.
Besides having an exhibition to showcase
SMEs and Student Industry Projects, a
forum is concurrently held throughout
the day. Guest speakers who are
successful entrepreneurs and business
owners themselves, were invited to share
success stories, as well as SME growth
and career opportunities.
“Through this collaboration with ITE, we
hope that young students will be inspired
ma r k E t in t E l l i gE n C E
ASME 2012
ForuM
Uplifting the image of small and medium enterprises
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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