80th Anniversary Commemorative Book - Singapore Manufacturing ...

Trade missions to Malaysia proved to be another huge success. DatukRobert Chua, the SMF President from 1988 to 1998, ended up forging somany business links with Malaysia that he was conferred the honorary titleof Datuk. At the time, much of the SMF-related news coverage featuredDatuk Chua talking about the potential prospects of investing in Malaysia.“There was hardly any organised push into Malaysia before 1988. But therewas potential symbiosis,” said Datuk Chua, who in 1988 led the first SMFmission to Malacca. “Some companies, for instance, would manufacture inJohor while doing the marketing and design in Singapore. So it’s a Made-in-Singapore design and product. There were many advantages, including thefact that there was plenty of industrial land in Johor.”Another landmark event was the first Singapore-Johor investment conferencein Johor Bahru in 1989, which saw some 400 manufacturers from Singaporecrossing the Causeway to attend. The then-Deputy Prime Minister Lee HsienLoong and the Johor Mentri Besar were the Guests-of-Honour.By the end of 1989, Singaporeans had invested $2 billion in Malaysia.These Trade and Investment missions were organised at least once a month.There were several factors which led to their success:• Countries around Singapore were opening up and many, thirsty forinvestments, welcomed Singapore’s offer to do business with openarms.• The SMF had, by then, built up a strong reputation as a credible andeffective organisation for Singapore manufacturers and foreign politiciansand businessmen felt they were in safe hands.• With its network of contacts, experience and organisational clout, many ofthese SMF-organised trade missions became good learning experiencesfor the participants.However, it was not always smooth sailing.Mr Bob Tan recalled: “Trying to persuade companies to go overseas in theinitial period was difficult. Many of the companies were SMEs and fundingwas an issue. Fortunately, we were able to get the support of IE Singapore (aGovernment agency driving Singapore’s external economy) to make thesemissions affordable for the participants.”A Partner in Nation Building 1965 – 1996 63