Global Business Groups and the International Networks and Strategic Development Department

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.

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 trade fairs help companies meet, network, and engage new customers, generating S$22.7 million in sales revenues for the exhibiting companies.

The Industrial Transformation ASIA-PACIFIC (ITAP) is one of Asia-Pacific’s leading trade event for Industry 4.0 and is a flagship trade fair for the SMF. The virtual ITAP 2020 was held from 20 to 22 October 2020, with a virtual Singapore Pavilion organised by the SMF’s GBG that housed some 20 local companies, generating more than S$6 million in sales by these participating companies. The event brought together various stakeholders to shape and support transformation initiatives, building a strong ecosystem within the industry. ITAP 2020 attracted over 5,000 registered attendees from countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan and India.

The SMF organised a Singapore Pavilion at the inaugural BuildTech Asia Digital Series 2020 which housed 17 Singapore companies. Held online from 14-15 October 2020, this virtual event hosted close to 5,000 trade visitors and buyers, to encourage the use of smart digital technologies in the build environment sector.

SEMICON China 2021 is one of the world’s largest semiconductor conference and exhibition. It covers the whole electronics supply chain, which includes chip design, manufacturing, assembly and testing, equipment and material supplies. The trade fair provides a platform for companies to showcase their latest offerings to the industry professionals in China.

For this trade fair, the SMF’s GBG led a delegation of 14 Singapore companies under the Singapore Pavilion, held from 17 to 19 March 2021. The trade fair attracted a total combined attendance of more than 90,000 exhibitors and visitors, generating more than S$15 million in sales for participating companies.