The SMF’s Lifestyle Industry Group (LIG) launched the first episode of LIG Fireside Chats! with Founder and CEO of SKALE Ms Yuet Whey Siah on 22 April 2020. In this episode, Ms Yuet shared how retail businesses may capitalisenew opportunities and extract value from e-commerce channels to bounce-back even in times of crisis.

The SMF’s Centre for Corporate Learning launched its first webinar in a series of webinars titled “Combat the COVID-19 Crisis! Go Digital Today” on 24 April 2020. The webinar came timely when the circuit breaker started and companies were scrambling to go digital for business survival. This webinar episode had speakers sharing ways to generate demand through digital marketing and available WSG programmes for SMEs through SMEC@SMF.

The SMF’s GBG and the International Networks and Strategic Department launched the COVID-19 PIVOT Transformation Programme, a six-series webinar that cover a range of interesting topics from how to leverage digital tools to Indonesia’s halal certification, GST reserve charge to fundamental data, business transformation during COVID and internationalisation frameworks. In the first webinar on 6 May 2020, Consulus Pte Ltd CEO, Mr Lawrence Chong was invited to share how businesses can navigate through COVID-19 challenges.

In partnership with Workplace Safety and Health Council (WSHC), the SMF launched the Safe Hands Campaign 2020 virtually on 19 May 2020 to raise awareness on machinery safety and preventive measures that can be put in place. Some 300 companies pledged their commitment to prevent hand injuries in the workplaces and were acknowledged during the campaign.

The SMF’s Smart Automation Industry Group launched the Engineering TV on 29 June 2020, a webinar series that aims to guide the manufacturing sector to look into digitalising processes for resilience. In the first webinar, speakers from Arcstone and HP Inc shared how companies could transform with solutions such as 3D Printing.

For the eighth consecutive year, the SMF organises the SAF Day Combined Rededication Ceremony for the East Zone to commemorate and pay tribute to all SAF servicemen and women who played a part in making Singapore a safer home. The SAF Day Ceremony was held virtually for the first time on 1 July 2020, the SMF was one of five civilian organisations chosen to conduct the ceremony on site.

The SMF signed a MOU with the Confederation of Industrial Chambers of Mexico (CONCAMIN) on 22 July 2020 to assist membercompanies who are interested to expand their businesses in Mexico. The signing ceremony also saw SMF Deputy President Mr Alessandro Perrotta appointed as Ambassador of the CONCAMIN to Singapore.

The SMF received the SBF’s new Chairman Mr Lim Ming Yan, who was elected in July 2020, and his delegation from the SBF on 3 August 2020. During the meeting, both Federations shared some possible collaborative opportunities that will benefit the business community during this challenging time. A reciprocal visit was held at the SBF on 3 December 2020.

The SMF launched the SMF Helps! Telegram Group Chat on 6 August 2020 as a 24/7 helpline for businesses to provide advice on Government policies changes. More than 1100 subscribers have subscribed to the SMF Helps! Telegram Group Chat since its launch.

The SMF Energy and Chemicals Industry Group (E&C IG) launched the CDITF on 28 August 2020 to establish a platform for the Cleaning, Disinfection and Hygiene industry. Since the launch of the CDITF, the taskforce has collaborated with the National Environment Agency (NEA) to published a Disinfectant Industry Guidance), with references to overseas standards such as the European Standard – EN 1040 and EN 13697.

The SMF-Standards Development Organisation (SMF-SDO) launched the SS 656 on 4 September 2020, the first national standard in the world on design, development and validation of miRNAbased diagnostic

The SMF held its first virtual AGM on 16 September 2020, where SMF President Mr Douglas Foo announced membership waiver for all existing and new members and set up of the SMF Acts! Steer Fund to help members build their business capabilities to overcome this challenging time.

The SMF signed a MOU with CICR on 16 September 2020 to strengthen business relations and promote economic cooperation between enterprises both in Singapore and Costa Rica.

The SMF held a hybrid dialogue session with then Minister for Trade and Industry Mr Chan Chun Sing on 2 October 2020, where he took questions from the audience and conducted impromptu online polls to gather feedbacks on the business climate.

The SMF signed a MOU with HP on 19 October 2020 to provide 3D-Printing-as-a- Service to the manufacturing community in Singapore.

The SMF led a virtual Singapore Pavilion with Enterprise Singapore at the third edition of ITAP from 20 to 22 October 2020. Some 20 local companies showcased their offerings under the jointly led virtual Singapore Pavilion.

The SMF organised a hybrid dialogue on 22 October 2020 with then Minister for Manpower Mrs Josephine Teo and her team namely, current Minister for Manpower Dr Tan See Leng and Minister of State Mr Zaqy Mohamad.

SMF President Mr Douglas Foo and SMF Secretary-General Mr Lawrence Pek met with the MP for Radin Mas Mr Melvin Yong on 29 October 2020 to discuss possible collaborations with the SMF to support the manufacturing community.

With support from RHB Singapore, the SMF held its’ first Members’ Welcome on 29 October 2020, where SMF’s new members are gathered to build networks with fellow business owners.

The SMF signed a goodwill MOU with CEA on 18 November 2020 to promote business collaborations between the SMF and CEA. The MOU signing was witnessed by Economic and Commercial Minister Counsellor, Embassy of China in Singapore, Mdm Zhong Manying and Singapore MP for Macpherson and CEO of Business China, Ms Tin Pei Ling.

The SMF held the 12th edition of the WSH Awards on 24 November 2020 for the awardees of the WSH Innovation Awards (Manufacturing) and WSH Awards for Supervisors (Manufacturing) to recognise their efforts towards upholding workplace safety and health at their workplaces.

The SMF organised a dialogue session with National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) Secretary-General Mr Ng Chee Meng on 30 November 2020, covering a wide range of topics from training and employment challenges arising from the pandemic, competitiveness of the Singapore workforce and the support available for businesses from the NTUC network.

The SMF held its annual Christmas celebration during its new members’ welcome on 9 December 2020, with support from RHB Singapore. Over 50 SMF Member companies participated in the festivities across two sessions.

A national initiative led by the SMF, MATO was launched in January 2020 to assist local manufacturers in upgrading their production capabilities by matching them with Industry 4.0 solutions providers and advising them on available Government Assistance.

The SMF adopted PEPPOL e-invoicing in January 2021 to digitalise its invoicing process. The SMF is one of the first TACs in Singapore to adopt PEPPOL e-invoicing.

The SMF held a closed-door dialogue with Enterprise Singapore Chief Executive Officer Mr Png Cheong Boon and his team, together with SMF Council members on 22 January 2021. Plans on how both organisations can further grow the manufacturing sector in Singapore through their joint efforts were the key topics for discussion.

Together with the National Environment Agency (NEA), the SMF officially launched the PPP during the Singapore Packaging Agreement (SPA) Awards on 24 March 2021. The PPP aims to develop industry capability in the sustainable management of packaging waste, and help companies to better understand their Mandatory Packaging Reporting (MPR) obligations.

Together with WSHC, the SMF launched the Safe Hands Campaign 2021 on 25 March 2021 as a webinar, with 450 industry professionals in attendance. SMF President Mr Douglas Foo gave the welcome address, while Minister of State for Manpower Mr Zaqy Mohamad gave the opening address.