Emerging Stronger Through Diversification

The SMF’s Global Business Groups (GBG), together with the International Networks and Strategic Development Department, assist members in exploring business opportunities and internationalising their businesses through participation in trade fairs and business missions. The two divisions collaborate with Enterprise Singapore, various embassies, foreign chambers of commerce, business councils and other trade associations to develop cross-border relations, offering trade and investment opportunities for members to capture new market prospects, geographically and in alternative industries. This is with the aim to expanding members’ global footprints and strengthening their global connections. Trade Fairs The SMF’s GBG organises Singapore Pavilions at international trade fairs to help local companies showcase their products and services to an international audience and break into different markets. In this financial year, despite the travel restrictions imposed due to the pandemic, the SMF’s GBG led more than 50 local companies in three virtual and hybrid trade fairs. These [...]

The SMF’s International Networks and Strategic Department facilitated the SMF in the signing of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with strategic partners overseas to support members in their expansions to overseas markets. Due to the travel restrictions, the MOU signing ceremonies were held virtually during this financial year. 22 July 2020 The SMF signed a MOU with the Confederation of Industrial Chambers of Mexico (CONCAMIN) to assist member-companies 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 16 September 2020 The SMF signed a MOU with the Chamber of Industries of Costa Rica (CICR) to strengthen business relations and promote economic cooperation between enterprises both in Singapore and Costa Rica. The MOU was signed by SMF President Mr Douglas Foo and CICR President Mr Enrique J Egloff. [...]

The SMF’s International Networks and Strategic Department receives VIP delegates, dignitaries, business delegations and ambassadors at the SMF Building to enable the SMF to build and foster close international relationships so as to facilitate members’ overseas business interests. While there are travel restrictions due to the pandemic, the Department received over 20 VIPs during this financial year. Through these visits, the Department helps the SMF form connections with international bodies, helping the local manufacturing community go beyond the shore into other markets. 29 July 2020 His Excellency Sok Khoeun, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Cambodia to Singapore 24 August 2020 His Excellency P Kumaran, High Commissioner of India to Singapore 28 October 2020 His Excellency Dr Norbet Riedel, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Germany to Singapore (first row, left) 25 November 2020 His Excellency Bapak Suryopratomo, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of [...]

As borders closed and travel restrictions in place to keep the pandemic out, the SMF’s International Networks and Strategic Development Department moved its seminars to the virtual sphere to provide the manufacturing community opportunities to diversify their supply chains. These webinars also provided information such as overseas government policies, free trade agreements, and trade opportunities to enter new markets. Cross-border Webinars 17 June 2020 The SMF’s International Networks and Strategic Development Department jointly organised a webinar titled “Indonesia: Next Manufacturing Destination” together with the Singapore Business Federation (SBF). The zoom webinar was held in collaboration with the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore to share the benefits and know-hows of expanding into the Indonesia market. 13 to 14 July 2020 The SMF was invited to give our views at the “FHA Congress 2020” for one of its think tank titled “Response. Recovery and the Road Ahead Post COVID 19”. SMF [...]

To assist Singapore companies gain access into the European markets through business and technology partnership opportunities with European companies, the SMF collaborated with Enterprise Singapore and Intellectual Property Intermediary (IPI) to set up the Singapore branch of the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN). To date, over 2000 Singapore companies have registered to join EEN and be part of its database. Webinar & B2B Matching Session with Polish Companies/ Producers/Suppliers of Food & Beverage Industry 3 September 2020 EEN Singapore and Polish National Support Centre for Agriculture (KOWR) co-organised a webinar and virtual B2B matching session to help companies from both nations to enter into each other’s markets. During the event, speakers from EEN Singapore, KOWR, Singapore Food Agency (SFA) and Business Engineers Asia shared their insights into the Polish Food and Beverage (F&B) Industry and how Singapore F&B companies could enter into the Polish market. Polish companies then presented their [...]

The SMF is one of the eight Approved-In-Principle (AIP) partners of Enterprise Singapore to promote and manage the Global Ready Talent (GRT). The GRT facilitates Singaporean/Singapore Permanent Resident undergraduate students from the Institutes of Higher Learning in Singapore to perform their internships in local companies, particularly SMEs. The programme, formerly known as SME Talent Programme (STP), was enhanced by Enterprise Singapore on 1 April 2019 to include overseas internships (focusing on SEA, China and India) in addition to local internships. For this Financial Year, the GRT supported over 1,000 local and overseas internships. 142 companies participated in the GRT, with 90% of the companies being SMEs*. The SMF has played a crucial role in: a) Promoting GRT and encouraging Singapore companies to be host companies for internship/ work opportunities b) Profiling Singapore companies that are in the SMF’s network c) GRT Administration • Evaluate Singapore companies before on [...]

Number of Singapore Partner Organisations 1. Africa-South East Asia Chamber of Commerce 2. American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore 3. American Society of Transportation and Logistics 4. Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation 5. Association of Banks in Singapore 6. Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (ASME) 7. Australian Alumni Singapore 8. British Chamber of Commerce 9. Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Singapore 10. China Enterprises Association 11. Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) 12. DBS Bank 13. Design Business Chamber Singapore (DBCS) 14. Economic Development Board (EDB) 15. Employment and Employability Institute Pte Ltd (e2i) 16. Enterprise Singapore 17. European Chamber of Commerce, Singapore 18. EXPERIAN 19. Food Industry Asia (FIA) 20. Food Innovation and Resource Centre, Singapore Polytechnic (FIRC) 21. French Chamber of Commerce in Singapore 22. Health Promotion Board (HPB) 23. Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) 24. Innovation Partner for Impact (IPI Singapore) 25. Institute of [...]