To help SMF members overcome challenges brought upon by COVID-19, and emerge stronger in the process, the SMF launched a number of initiatives to provide assistance during this difficult time. These initiatives range from a 24/7 helpline to funding to business matchings that will build members’ business capabilities and resilience against future crisis. Companies who needed help could easily tap onto these initiatives by contacting the SMF Secretariat. These are the new initiatives launched by the SMF during this financial year:
Launch in August 2020, the SMF Helps! Telegram Group Chat started out as a 24/7 helpline for businesses when they require advise on Government policies changes. Since the pandemic started, Government policies were frequently changed in tandem with the escalating situation to protect the population from the virus. Members could use the group chat to reach out to SMF Secretariat who would be on hand to advice companies to navigate through these changes. The SMF Helps! Telegram Group Chat has now evolved into an ecosystem where members who may have gone through the same situation could assist other members. More than 1100 subscribers has subscribed to the SMF Helps! Telegram Group Chat since its launch.
Shenzhen Liaison Office was launched in September 2020 to help SMF members expand into China market, offering a one-stop service through our partner in Shenzhen. The liaison office serves members when border closures were rife and members were not able to explore overseas markets for expansion opportunities. Members who are looking to expand into China, can contact the SMF Secretariat at china.shenzhen@smfederation.org.sg.
Manufacturing Alliance Transformation Office (MATO) was launched in January 2021 to be a one stop personalised and customised Industry 4.0 centre for SMEs. A national initiative led by the SMF, MATO is set up 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. Since its launch, MATO has helped to handhold more than 100 companies to overcome their challenge in going digital and helped a couple of companies to embark on the Industry 4.0 Human Capital Initiative (IHCI), a programme that equips companies with people management and job redesign skills that are required for Industry 4.0 transformation.
Announced during the e-AGM 2020 on 16 September 2020 by SMF President Mr Douglas Foo, the SMF ACTS! STEER Fund helps our members in their transformation journey to prepare for economic recovery. The SMF ACTS! STEER Fund offers targeted support, particularly for our SMEs member-companies, to build up their capabilities through Business Model Innovation, Digitalisation as well as to Reskill and Upskill workers through training. The Fund is established with the support of the Government’s SG Together Enhancing Enterprise Resilience (STEER) programme.
Announced during the e-AGM 2020 on 16 September 2020 by SMF President Mr Douglas Foo, the SMF ACTS! STEER Fund helps our members in their transformation journey to prepare for economic recovery. The SMF ACTS! STEER Fund offers targeted support, particularly for our SMEs member-companies, to build up their capabilities through Business Model Innovation, Digitalisation as well as to Reskill and Upskill workers through training. The Fund is established with the support of the Government’s SG Together Enhancing Enterprise Resilience (STEER) programme.