Ministerial Dialogue Sessions and Meeting with MPs

The SMF organises closed-door ministerial dialogue sessions as a platform for our members to converse directly with ministers and government officials to better understand policies and provide candid feedback on the challenges that the manufacturing industry face at the ground level. In 2020, businesses were facing unprecedented challenges due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Therefore, in October 2020, the SMF organised separate hybrid dialogue sessions with then Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr Chan Chun Sing as well as then Minister for Manpower, Mrs Josephine Teo for members to give their feedback and queries to the Ministers.

The SMF also organised a dialogue session with National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) Secretary-General Mr Ng Chee Meng in November 2020 that covers 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.

Held at the SMF building and facilitated by SMF President Mr Douglas Foo, these dialogue sessions gives members the opportunity to query the Ministers on the economy and how they may overcome business challenges while protecting their workforce from the virus. Ministers on their part spoke freely, reassuring attendees that the Government is committed to assisting businesses to overcome these challenges.

Besides Dialogue Sessions, the SMF met with members of parliament (MP) Mr Melvin Yong and Ms Tin Pei Ling on separate occasions. Held in October 2020 and January 2021 respectively, the MPs met with SMF President Mr Douglas Foo and SMF Secretary-General Mr Lawrence Pek to discuss possible collaborations with the SMF to support the manufacturing community in Singapore.