Annual Report 2005 - Singapore Manufacturing Federation

METAL, MACHINERY & ENGINEERING INDUSTRY GROUP
(MME IG)
Led by Chairman, Mr Richard Soh of SCA Packaging Singapore
Pte Ltd, the Metal, Machinery & Engineering Industry Group (MME
IG) focuses its efforts on the discussion on salient issues, updates
on market trends and provision of networking opportunities for
members via organised factory visits, talks by industry experts and
social activities in 2005.
For 2006, MME IG promises to stay relevant to members by
providing more activities both in business and leisure. The MME IG
committee met every second Thursday of the month to discuss and
update on issues about industry trends, business opportunities, and
governmental matters and to plan activities for members.
HIGHLIGHTS
Companies can benefi t and improve by
observing how leading manufacturers run their
business and operations. With that in mind,
MME IG kicked off 2005 by organising a plant
visit to Makino Asia Pte Ltd on 7 January 2005.
Hosted by SMa Honorary Secretary, Dr Moh
Chong Tau, President & CEO of Makino Asia Pte
Ltd, the event attracted a large turnout of nearly
70 SMa members. Participants were briefed on
Makino Asia’s business, facilities and human
resource management through a plant tour
and presentations. They were also treated to a
sumptuous lunch complete with red wine by
the host.
In line with the newly introduced laws effective
1 Jan 2005 on IP for software, MME IG organised
a half-day seminar on “Staying legal without
increasing your IT budget” on 28 January 2005
to discourage potential under-licensing and the
installation of pirated software. The speaker,
Mr Harish Pillay, Chief Technology Architect for Red
Hat Asia Pacifi c Pte Ltd, introduced participants
to Linux and Open Source, a secure, reliable,
and cost effective software solution to higher IT
spending expected under the new regulations.
In February 2005, MME IG committee members
celebrated the Lunar New Year and “lo hei”
for prosperity and success. A “Talk on Trade
Finance” was organised on 10 March 2005,
where Mr Ow You Seng enhanced members’
understanding of the types and applications of
different letters of credit and the risk and cost
minimisation methods in trade fi nancing.
Based on members’ interest to expand their
business operations in Bangladesh, a discussion
cum Q&A session on “Doing Business in
Bangladesh” was arranged and chaired by MME
IG committee member, Mr Quek Chee Meng,
Managing Director of Ritchmen (S) Pte Ltd on
14 April 2005. Enquiries on legislation and
logistics in Bangladesh were pertinently answered
by Mr Quek, who shared his Bangladeshi
experience with all present.
To improve and minimise risks in business
practices of members, Marsh Ltd was invited
by the MME IG committee to talk about “Risk
Focus” on 12 May 2005.
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Singapore Manufacturers’
Federation
Annual Report 2005