80th Anniversary Commemorative Book - Singapore Manufacturing ...

More political changes were underway. Singapore merged with theFederation of Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak in 1963, forming a new nation,Malaysia. The manufacturers were hopeful that finally, a common marketcould be established and their goods would move into Peninsula Malaysiaeasily.SMF leaders had lobbied strongly for the formation of a common market,where Made-in-Singapore products would not be slapped with high tariffs,as was then the case.The merger, however, was rocky from the start, and on 9 August 1965,Singapore split from the Federation and became an independent republic.The SMF became a key partner in the new Government’s plans for jobcreation via industrialisation. Anticipating its greater role, the SMF rampedup its activities a month after Singapore became independent.It hired its first full-time staff to organise meetings, manage the association’soperations and liaise with the Government.During this time, more companies joined the SMF as members, some ofwhich are still active today.Drawing illustrious pioneersOne of the pioneer members was Coca-Cola, which is today bottled by Coca-Cola Singapore Beverages. It has been amember of the SMF since its inception in1932 and is the SMF’s oldest member.Coca-Cola, one of the pioneers, startedproducing in Singapore in 1936.When asked about the circumstanceswhich led to Coca-Cola joining the SMFin its early years, Coca-Cola SingaporeBeverages CEO, Mr Amit Oberoi, said:“The world-famous Coca-Cola onlystarted to be produced in Singapore in1936, a few years after the establishmentof the SMF. The relationship with the SMFprobably was useful in helping Coca-Cola, then produced under franchiseby Fraser & Neave Limited, establish itself as the preferred brand.”36 Braving the Turbulence 1932 – 1965