Singapore SME Innovation Support Schemes - PRO INNO Europe

Contact Points in the various agencies liaise between the various government agencies
and EnterpriseOne. Their key task is to keep the information on EnterpriseOne updated;
however the updating of information to the site is performed by the EnterpriseOne
webmaster. The site functions as a linked site rather than a true one-stop-shop because
Government agencies already had their own websites and had already developed many
useful e-services to serve enterprises. It was considered to be unfeasible to implement a
true ’one-stop-shop’ integrating all the e-services .
3.2.2 Features
• Ability to do a ’quickfind’ search where the user is asked 4 questions and results show
schemes that are relevant, with links to a webpage within EnterpriseOne, with a
summary of the scheme, how to apply, and basic eligibility criteria. The following features
can be accessed via the ’quickfind’ search:
o Customised funding options
o Customised Government assistance
o Market statistics released by Government agencies
o Business-related Government e-services
o Relevant licences and permits
• The user can then follow a link from the summary page to an external website belonging
to the government department or agency offering the scheme or programme. Once
on the government site however it is generally necessary to telephone a contact at the
agency and print out forms and post or email them to the relevant agency’s fund manager.
The due diligence process alone can then take 2-3 months.
• More than 150 ’How To’ guides, checklists and flow charts are published on the site.
• The entire Frequently Asked Question database has been uploaded and can be
searched by typing in a question.
• EnterpriseOne has on-line applications for over 80 business licences from 17 government
agencies through the Online Business Licensing Service whereby businesses can
apply for their licences at any time and anywhere. Part of the application form is integrated
and there is no need for businesses to re-submit generic data.
• There is a Productivity@Work micro-site which aims to raise awareness on productivity
issues and encourage SMEs to increase productivity.
• The site exists in English and Chinese languages, with the Chinese version being maintained
by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of commerce.
Overall the main advantage of this system is the breadth of advice and links that a search
can return, and the simple on-line questionnaires which filter results to ensure only relevant
results are returned. For example, a search on ’quick find’ and ’funding options’
takes the user through 4 questions and returns a list of options which include information
on different loans (including family loans), information on a SPRING Microloan
Programme, advice on how to apply for loans, and other government assistance which
can include links to the Tax Exemption for Startup scheme. These links then take the
user to a webpage on the EnterpriseOne site, which is useful in that it gives a simple
guide to eligibility. This then usefully links to the SPRING site or Inland Revenue site (in
PAGE 17
www.proinno-europe.eu/partnering-forum