geared up for the challengedownload.sbf.org.sg/sbfannualreport/sbfannualreport2008.pdfDevelopers’...

geared up for the

challengeAnnual Report 2008

Our Beginnings In the late 1990s, amid the rapidly changing global

economic and business landscape, the government, in consultation and with the support of business leaders, called for a more comprehensive organisation and representation of the Singapore business community.

With the passing of the SBF Act by Parliament in July 2001, all Singapore-registered companies with a paid-up share capital of $0.5 million and above become members of the SBF. Local chambers of commerce and industry which represent the interests and welfare of any local or foreign business group(s) join as Constituent Members.

SBF was formally established on 1 April 2002 and officially launched by the then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong on 11 April 2002.

Our Objectives To enhance the organisation of the business

community in Singapore.

To represent, advance, promote and protect, in Singapore and abroad, the major business interests (such as investment, trade opportunities and labour management issues) of business entities carrying on commerce and industry in Singapore.

Contents Our Beginnings, Our Objectives 01

Message from the Chairman 02

Federation Profile

Board of Trustees 04 SBF Council Members 06

SBF Committees 12

SBF Secretariat 14

SBF Mission and Vision 16

Review of 2008 18 Representing the Voice of Business 21 Helping Businesses Build Capacity and Resilience 25 Networking and Business Facilitation 28

List of 2008 Activities 40

Singapore Business Federation Annual Report 2008

SBF will continue to help companies grow in reach, capability and resilience. Through SBF, the Singapore business community has a collective voice in government as well as internationally.

2008 has been a year of change.

The Singapore economy, which appeared to be on track in early

2008, began to lose steam in the second half of the year and

went into recession in December. Businesses, likewise, began to

experience a sudden and drastic contraction in demand, amid an

environment of high operating costs and an uncertain global economy.

Message from the Chairman

Message from the Chairman 03

At the Singapore Business Federation, change was also evident. In February 2008, the apex business chamber welcomed Mr. Teng Theng Dar as its Chief Executive Officer. The Federation’s Annual General Meeting in June 2008 also saw the election of a new Council, and my appointment as Chairman of SBF for the 2008 – 2010 term.

My colleagues and I take this opportunity to thank Mr. Stephen Lee, the immediate past Chairman, members of the previous Council, and former Executive Director Mr. Koh Juan Kiat, for their stewardship and dedication to SBF. In just six years, Stephen and his team laid a strong foundation for SBF, and nurtured the Federation in its critical initial phase.

The new SBF Council, its CEO and the Secretariat Team will build on the good work achieved thus far. We are resolved to lead the Federation into its next phase of growth. In doing so, we will be mindful of the objectives of SBF, which are to:

represent and protect Singapore’s business interests both locally and abroad

nurture the collective business voice to facilitate coordination between public agencies and the business community, and

assist our companies at home, as well as when they venture overseas.

By October 2008, recognising that it would be a challenging period ahead for businesses, SBF promptly updated its members on the latest economic outlook, best practices in financial and risk management, and government’s training, loan financing and other incentive schemes. The dialogue sessions, business sentiment surveys and timely briefings helped to apprise members of the latest developments and provided them with useful tips for decision making.

In December 2008, SBF initiated an important dialogue between leaders of the business community and the Ministry of Trade & Industry and Ministry of Finance, to discuss difficulties faced by companies in regard to business costs and cash-flow. We are pleased that the resilience package unveiled in Budget 2009 has helped to alleviate some of the major concerns of businesses.

In the coming years, SBF will continue to help companies grow in reach, capability and resilience. Through SBF, the Singapore business community has a collective voice in government as well as internationally.

Tony ChewChairmanSingapore Business Federation

Singapore Business Federation Annual Report 2008 Singapore Business Federation Annual Report 2008

FEDERATION PROFILE

Board of TrusteesAs prescribed by the SBF Act 2001, the Board of Trustees is responsible for ensuring that:

the Singapore Business Federation acts in furtherance of its objects as set out in the Act and in its Constitution;

the funds and assets of the Federation are properly accounted for and safeguarded; and

the persons who are members of the Council are fit and proper to hold such office.

The Minister for Trade & Industry has appointed Mr. Sat Pal Khattar, Chairman of Khattar Holdings Group of companies as the Chairman. Mrs. Theresa Foo-Yo Mie Yoen, Chairman of BNP Paribas Capital (Singapore) Ltd, and Mrs. Fang Ai Lian, Chairman of Great Eastern Holdings Limited are the other two members of the Board.

Sat Pal Khattar(Chairman)

Member of Presidential Council of Minority Rights

Chairman of Khattar Holdings Group of companies

Chairman of IMAA Awards Council

Chairman of Guocoland Ltd, a Singapore listed public company

Director of Guoco Group Ltd, GuocoLeisure Ltd, Haw Par Corporation Ltd, OUB Centre Ltd and Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellowship

Co-Chairman of Singapore India Partnership Foundation

Director, Institute of South Asian Studies Management Board

Life Trustee of SINDA (a non-profit body for the Indian community in Singapore)

Member of Coutts Asia Advisory Board

Patron, Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society

Director of a number of public and private companies in Singapore, Hong Kong and India

Conferred the NTUC Distinguished Service Award (Star) and other honours like:

• The Public Administrative Medal (Silver)• The Friend of Labour Award• The Rochdale Medal• The NTUC Meritorious Service Award• The NTUC Distinguished Service Award

Fang Ai Lian(Member)

Chairman, Great Eastern Holdings Limited

Board Member, Banyan Tree Holdings Limited

Board Member, Metro Holdings Limited

Board Member, Singapore Telecommunications Limited

Board Member, MediaCorp Private Limited

Board Member, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited

Governing Council Member, Singapore Institute of Directors

Board Member, Public Utilities Board

Board Member, International Enterprise Singapore

Member of Management Board, Institute of Policy Studies

President, Home Nursing Foundation

Chairman of Charity Council

Theresa Foo-Yo Mie Yoen(Member)

Chairman, BNP Paribas Capital (Singapore) Ltd

Chairman, BNP Paribas Securities (Singapore) Pte Ltd

Chairman, The Esplanade Co Ltd

Chairman, Viva Foundation for Children with Cancer Limited

Deputy Chairman, National Parks Board

Board Member, Income Tax Board of Review, Ministry of Finance

Council Member, Securities Industry Council

Member, Board of Trustees of Singapore National Employers Federation

Board Director, Ecquaria Limited


Federation Profile 05

SBF Council Members(2008 -2010)

The SBF Council, which manages the affairs of the Federation, includes nominated, elected and co-opted representatives. The Council has a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 26 members.

The three local ethnic chambers i.e. Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry have permanent representation in the Council. Up to one quarter of the total number of the Council Members shall be representatives from foreign chambers of commerce and industry. In addition, up to six members could be co-opted by the Council. The rest of the council members would be nominees of local chambers or elected representatives of member companies.

Tony Chew Leong Chee(Chairman)

Executive Chairman, Asia Resource Corporation

Chairman, KFC Vietnam Corporation

Chairman, Macondray & Company Incorporated

Lead Independent Director, Keppel Corporation

Board Member, Air Alliance Pte Ltd, Orangestar Holdings

Chairman, Governing Board, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore

Governing Board Member, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia

Adviser, Singapore Institute of International Affairs

Conferred Public Service Star in 2008

Chua Thian Poh(Vice Chairman)

Chairman & CEO of Ho Bee Investment Ltd

Immediate Past President of Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Chairman of Business China

Advisor of Network China

Chairman of Bishan East Citizens’ Consultative Committee

Deputy President of Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan

Member of Board of Trustees and Chairman of Finance & Establishment Committee of Chinese Development Assistance Council

Chairman, Ren Ci Hospital & Medicare Centre

Barry Desker(Vice Chairman)

Dean, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University

Director of Institute of Defence and Strategic Studies, Nanyang Technological University

Chairman of Singapore Technologies Marine Ltd

Was Chief Executive Officer of the former Singapore Trade Development Board (1994-2000) and Singapore’s Ambassador to Indonesia (1986-1993)

Cheng Wai Keung(Honorary Secretary)

Chairman and Managing Director, Wing Tai Holdings Limited

Chairman, Neptune Orient Lines Ltd

Vice-Chairman, Singapore-Suzhou Township Development Pte Ltd

Director, GP Batteries International Limited

Member, Temasek Advisory Panel

Conferred the Public Service Star (BBM) in 1987, the Public Service Star (Bar) (BBM-Lintang) in 1997 and the Distinguished Service Order (DUBC) in August 2007

Reappointed Justice of the Peace in 2005


Federation Profile 07

David P. Conner (Council Member)

Chief Executive Officer and Director, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited

Chairman of The Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS)

Director of OCBC Bank (Malaysia) Bhd

Chairman of Bank of Singapore Ltd

Director of Great Eastern Holdings Ltd, The Great Eastern Life Assurance Co Ltd and The Overseas Assurance Corporation Ltd

Deputy Chairman and Director of Lion Global Investors Ltd

Commissioner of PT Bank OCBC NISP Tbk

Trustee of Washington University in St. Louis

Desmond Hill(Council Member)

Deputy General Manager, Penta-Ocean Construction Co Ltd

President, Singapore Contractors Association Ltd

President, Singapore Squash Rackets Association

Council Member, Singapore Accreditation Council

Council Member, National Crime Prevention Council

Member, Building and Construction Standard Committee, SPRING

Member, WSH (Construction & Landscaping) Committee, WSH Council, MOM

Member, Water Network 3rd Panel, PUB

Treasurer, ASEAN Constructors Federation (ACF)

Evaluator and Accredited Adjudicator, Singapore Mediation Centre

Joachim Ihrcke(Council Member)

President, European Chamber of Commerce

Managing Director, Droege & Comp. Singapore Pte Ltd

Vijay Iyengar(Council Member)

Chairman, Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Managing Director, Agrocorp International Pte Ltd

Director, Sri Kowshiki International Pte Ltd, Ramco Systems Pte Ltd, Asian Media Education Centre Pte Ltd, Parameswara Holdings Ltd, Compass Point Tours Pte Ltd, Ambit (S) Pte Ltd and Singapore Mercantile Exchange Pte Ltd

Member of Tamil Language Council, Member of Network India Steering Committee, and Member of PA Talents Advisory Council

Kristin Paulson(Deputy Honorary Treasurer)

Past Chairman of American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore

Governor of American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore Board of Governors

Chairman, Asia Pacific Council of American Chambers of Commerce (APCAC)

Board Member, Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority of Singapore (ACRA)

Council Member, Council for Private Education, Singapore

Principal, KPaulson Associates, Government Relations Consulting

Simon Cheong(Council Member)

Chairman and CEO of SC Global Developments Ltd

Chairman of AVJennings Limited

President of Real Estate Developers’ Association of Singapore (REDAS)

Board of the Raffles Girls Secondary School in Singapore, 1999-2007

Executive Chairman of MPH Ltd (now known as Vantage Corporation Ltd), 2002-2004

Board member of Singapore Turf Club, 2001-2002

Board member of Singapore Dance Theatre, 2003-2006

Bob Tan(Honorary Treasurer)

Chairman, Jurong Engineering Limited

Chairman of the Institute of Technical Education

Directorships in other companies including SMRT Corporation Ltd

Vice President of Singapore National Employers Federation

Co-Chairman of Tripartite Alliance for Fair Employment Practices

Member of National Wages Council

Board Member of Ong Teng Cheong Institute of Labour Studies

Member of NTUC Club Management Council

Lawrence Leow(Deputy Honorary Secretary)

President, Association of Small and Medium Enterprises

Executive Chairman of the Crescendas Group

Adviser of People’s Association – Youth Movement (PAYM)

Member of Pro-Enterprise Panel set up by Ministry of Finance

Patron of Yew Tee Citizens’ Consultative Committee and Constituency Sports Club

Former Nominated Member of Parliament

Former Board Member of Standards, Productivity and Innovation Board (SPRING Singapore)

Former Council Member, National Arts Council


Federation Profile 0908 Federation Profile

Philip Ng(Council Member)

Chief Executive Officer, Far East Organization

Exec Chairman, Yeo Hiap Seng Ltd and Chairman, Yeo Hiap Seng (Malaysia) Berhad

Executive Chairman, Orchard Parade Holdings Limited

Non-Executive Director, Super Coffeemix Manufacturing Limited

Director, Sino Group (Hong Kong)

Ambassador of The Republic of Singapore to The Republic of Chile

Governing Board of The Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy

Director, Nanyang Primary School

The Singapore-China Foundation Board of Governors

Cairnhill Community Club Management Committee (Honorary Patron)

Advisory Board for the Centre for Liveable Cities (CLC)

Exco Member, ULI (Urban Land Institute) South Asia District Council

Chairman, Steering Committee for the Establishment of the New University

Tang Kin Fei(Council Member)

Group President & CEO, Sembcorp Industries Ltd

Director, Sembcorp Marine Ltd

Director, GuocoLeisure Limited

Director, International Enterprise Singapore

President, Singapore Water Association

Member, APEC Business Advisory Council

Member, Singapore-Tianjin Economic & Trade Council, Abu Dhabi-Singapore Business Forum and Saudi-Singapore Economic City Business Forum. Represents Sembcorp Industries on the Singapore-Jiangsu Cooperation Council and Singapore-Zhejiang Economic & Trade Council

Robert Yap(Council Member)

Chairman & CEO of YCH Group Pte Ltd

Co-Chairman of ASEAN-Business Advisory Council

Founding Chairman of Supply Chain Asia

Co-Chairman of Korea-Singapore Logistics Council, Founding Member of India-Singapore CEO Forum

Singapore-Tianjin Economic & Trade Council (STETC), Singapore-Jiangsu Cooperation Council (SJCC), Singapore-Guangdong Collaboration Council (SGCC)

Member of the Singapore Customs’ Advisory Committee

Board Member of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore

Board of Advisors of School of Information Systems in SMU

Inducted to the Asia Logistics Award Hall of Fame by Lloyds FTB in 2003

Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (EOY) Singapore 2007, and Inducted Lifetime Member of the World EOY Academy in Monte Carlo 2008

Renny Yeo(Council Member)

President, Singapore Manufacturers’ Federation (SMa)

Chairman, GS1 Singapore and EPC Global (SMa)

Director, EDC@SMa

Chairman, Draka Cableteq Asia Pacific Holding Pte Ltd, Singapore Cables Manufacturers Pte Ltd

Board Member, Oakwell Engineering Ltd

Chairman, The Singapore Accreditation Council (SPRING)

Council Member, Standards Council (SPRING)

Chairman, Electrical & Electronic Product Standards Committee (SPRING)

Member, Enterprise Development Advisory Council (SPRING)

Conferred the Pingat Bakti Masyarakat (Public Service Medal) in 2000

Patron, Singapore Productivity Association

Dato’ Mohd Zain Abdullah(Council Member)

President, Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Vice Chairman, Middle East Business Group, SBF

Executive Chairman, Prestige Marine Services Pte Ltd, Prestige Energy Pte Ltd, Prestige Air & Logistics Pte Ltd, Peta Marine Services Pte Ltd, Yam Holding Sdn Bhd, Vanda Tankers (S) Pte Ltd, Avila Tankers (S) Pte Ltd, Aravinda Tankers Sdn Bhd, E.A. Marine Services Sdn Bhd and PM Marine Services Sdn Bhd

Director, Saso Logistics Pte Ltd, Enterprise Development Centres @SMCCI and Malay Heritage Foundation Ltd

Advisor, Singapore Silat Federation

Conferment of Datoship 2004 – Darjah Dato’ Paduka Tuanku Ja’afar (D,.P.T.J) by Yang Di-Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus, Dato’ Paduka Tuanku Ja’afar Ibni Al-Marhum Tuanku Andula Rahman

Yasuhiko Kitagawa(Council Member)

President, Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Singapore 2008-09

General Manager, Mitsubishi Corporation Singapore Branch

President, Japanese Association Singapore 2007-08

Board Director, Singapore International Chamber of Commerce

Director, Mitsubishi Elevator (Singapore) Pte Ltd, MCLT Singapore Pte Ltd, Mi-Mi Investment Singapore Pte Ltd, MC Development Asia Pte Ltd, Singapore-Suzhou Township Development Pte Ltd and Diamond Tanker Pte Ltd

Jung Young Soo(Council Member)

Chairman, Korean Chamber of Commerce (Singapore)

Chairman & CEO, Hankook Saint James Pte Ltd

Board Director, Singapore International Chamber of Commerce

Chairman & CEO, Jinmax Enterprise Pte Ltd

Edwin Khew(Council Member)

Nominated Member of Parliament

Director, IUT Singapore Pte Ltd; CEO & Managing Director, IUT Global Pte Ltd

Honorary President, S’pore Manufacturers’ Federation

Chairman, Sustainable Energy Association of S’pore, S’pore Standards Council (Spring)

Member, S’pore Green Plan 2012 Coordinating Committee, ESCO Accreditation Committee (NUS), Enterprise Development Advisory Committee (Spring), Manpower Skills and Training Council (WDA), Supervisory Board of Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (NUS), National Climate Change Committee (MEWR)

Member, German-S’pore Business Forum Steering Committee

Council Member of The Institution of Engineers S’pore and Chairman of Manufacturing Group


Federation Profile 1110 Federation Profile

SBF Committees

Appointments and Remuneration CommitteeThe Committee will help provide the SBF Council and Management with a more structured approval process on HR compensation matters and appointment of key personnel including:

To periodically review the adequacy of staffing for various units in the Federation.

To periodically review the remuneration packages and terms & conditions provided by the Federation, to ensure that it is in line with the Remuneration Policy and keeps pace with changes in the employment market.

To determine the overall Remuneration Policy of the Federation.

To approve the appointment, confirmation, promotion and termination of the Chief Executive Officer and Deputy Executive Directors.

To determine the annual increment and bonuses to be paid to the Chief Executive Officer and Deputy Executive Directors.

Chairman: Mr. Cheng Wai KeungMembers: Mr. Tony Chew Mr. Bob Tan

Commercial Ventures CommitteeThe Committee was set up to review, advise and make recommendations on commercial ventures relating to the core business of SBF that would be suitable for the Federation to invest or participate in.

Chairman: Mr. Edwin KhewMembers: Mr. Desmond Hill Mr. Vijay Iyengar Dr. Robert Yap

Members Relations CommitteeThe Members Relations Committee oversees SBF’s work in building up close relationships with our member companies. The committee approves all voluntary membership applications, procedural programmes, and administrative issues pertaining to membership matters.

The committee is also tasked to develop close working relations with all the major chambers and business associations that are SBF’s constituent members so as to enhance the organisation of the business community in Singapore.

Chairman: Mr. Tang Kin FeiMembers: Mr. Cheng Wai Keung Dato’ Mohd Zain Abdullah

Executive CommitteeThe committee has the authority to act for the Council in policy, procedural, programme and administrative issues and decisions. The Executive Committee sets the overall goals, short and long term objectives, policies, programmes and activities of SBF for the Council’s approval.

Chairman: Mr. Tony ChewMembers: Mr. Chua Thian Poh Mr. Lawrence Leow Ms. Kristin Paulson Mr. Tang Kin Fei

Finance and Audit CommitteeThe primary function of the Finance and Audit Committee (FAC) is to assist the Council in fulfilling its oversight pertaining to the Federation’s systems of internal controls including financial, operational, compliance and risk management which Management and the Council have established.

Its terms of reference include:

to review the accounting policies of the Federation to ensure that they are in compliance with accounting standards and in accordance with the law;

to review, with the internal and external auditors, the adequacy of the Federation’s internal controls, with the purpose of safeguarding the Federation’s assets;

to review the balance sheet and profit and loss account of the Federation and to submit them to the Council and the Board of Trustees;

to nominate and review the appointment or re-appointment of the external auditors.

Chairman: Mr. Bob Tan Members: Ms. Kristin Paulson Mr. Simon Cheong Mr. David Conner Mr. Hans Joachim Ihrcke

International Relations CommitteeThe committee oversees SBF’s efforts in developing and promoting trade and investment activities for Singapore companies. It also fosters the development and promotion of bilateral and multilateral interaction between SBF and international business chambers/organisations to build goodwill and create a positive image for SBF. The committee leads SBF’s international relations marketing activities e.g. promotional visits to overseas countries and in receiving visiting delegations.

Chairman: Mr. Barry DeskerCo-Chairman: Mr. Koh Boon HweeMembers: Mr. Jung Young Soo Mr. Michael Cheok Mr. Philip Forrest Mr. Mark Hong Mr. Philip Ng Mr. Freddy Lam Mr. V. K. Rajan Mr. Tan Seng Chai


SBF Committees 1312 SBF Committees

SBF Secretariat (as at 31 December 2008)

Capacity Building GroupRita King Senior Director

Marketing

Donny Lim Marketing Executive

Cheyenne Teo Marketing Executive

Enterprise Development

Eady Ng Assistant Executive

EnterpriseOne Business Information Services

Sally Lim Manager

Omana Wuni Menon Executive

Lynn Chang Sales & Marketing Associate

Leong Syt Iyee Sales & Marketing Associate

Belle Luo Assistant Executive

Industry Development & Corporate ServicesLim Chai Boon Deputy Executive Director

Industry Development

Patrick ChanDirector

Corporate Services Division

Finance

Winnie Tan Deputy Director, Finance & Accounts

Dominic Sim Accountant

Ghedy Prawiro Accounts Assistant

Razima Binte Yahya Accounts Assistant

Information TechnologyJohnny Song Manager

Evon Cheng Executive (Web Design)

Joshline Rajkumar Analyst Programmer

Oh Khiam Beng Support Engineer

Samsuri Bin Mohamed Jalil Support Engineer

HR & AdminTan Hwee Ting Senior Executive

Bernice Wong Assistant Executive

Huang Simin Assistant Executive

Ramlah Mohamed Receptionist cum Admin Assistant

Zainal Abidin Bin A. WahidDriver-cum-Office Assistant

CEOTeng Theng Dar Chief Executive Officer

Global Business GroupASEAN, China, South & North AsiaEdith Cheong Assistant Executive Director

Boey Keng Chew Director, China & North Asia

Juliana Giam Deputy Director, ASEAN

Alan Tan Deputy Director, ASEAN & South Asia

Poh Ching Kiong Executive, China & North Asia

Teo Chi Howe Senior Executive, South Asia

Loong Lai Yong Executive, ASEAN

Sherly Executive, ASEAN

Paulna Tan Executive, ASEAN

Ada Liu Executive, China & North Asia

Rafiliah Rahim Assistant Executive

Americas, Middle East & Africa, Europe & OceaniaMartin Yuoon Assistant Executive Director

Cody Lee Director

Renee Koh Assistant Director

George Chan Senior Executive

Lim Shuzhen Executive

Elizabeth Boon Executive

Claire Lim Assistant Executive

Zann Chua Assistant Executive

ABAC Singapore Secretariat

Quek Shiyun Executive

Alvyn Lim Project Executive

Hilda Ng Administration Executive

Corporate CommunicationsGerald De Cotta Director

Rachael Fong Executive

Member Relations GroupCheryl Kong Assistant Executive Director

Mabel Tang Senior Manager

Members’ Survey & Feedback

Neo Ban Leng Executive

Member ActivitiesSiow Ching Ching Manager

Cindy Chua Executive

Daphne Phoa Assistant Executive

Ng Su Ling Assistant Executive

Siti Zubaidah Binte Ahmad Assistant Executive


SBF Secretariat 1514 SBF Secretariat

SBF Mission and Vision

Support businesses to

access international business opportunities

Facilitate business-related

government relations to enhance

pro-enterprise business environment

Partner businesses to enhance competitiveness through capacity building

Mem

ber R

elat

ions

& S

er

vices Group

Capacity Building Group

Global Business Group

VISION

As APEX business chamber, SBF will be the voice of the Singapore business community locally and to the world, and create business value for its members.

STRUCTURE TO SUPPORT MISSION

Support businesses to

access international business opportunities

Facilitate business-related

government relations to enhance

pro-enterprise business environment

Partner businesses to enhance competitiveness through capacity building

MISSION

Act as the bridge between the government and business in Singapore to create and enhance a conducive business environment.

SBF represents the business community in bilateral, regional, multilateral fora for the purpose of promoting trade expansion and business networking.

STRATEGIC FOCUS


SBF Mission and Vision 1716 SBF Mission and Vision

2008 was an eventful year for

SBF. Its three-pronged focus of

representing the voice of the

business community, helping

members build capability and

resilience, and facilitating their

efforts to tap into business

opportunities was instrumental

in assisting members with their

business needs and aspirations.

The second half of the year saw

the federation step up its efforts

to help members make sense of,

and ride out the global economic

slowdown amid concerns over

high business costs.

In Focus...REVIEW OF 2008 Voice Representation, Capacity Building and Business Facilitation

275 activities benefitting 29,233 participantsSBF organised and supported 275 activities and programmes in 2008 including seminars, workshops, overseas missions, dialogue, networking and business matching sessions benefitting 29,233 participants.

S$340 million worth of deals attributed to SBF’s business facilitation effortsSBF continued to help members with business facilitation efforts in new and emerging economies in the Middle East and Africa, ASEAN, North and South Asia, Latin America and Europe. Business links were established with new markets including Libya and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), whilst linkages were strengthened with counterpart chambers, companies and government agencies in countries where SBF has developed rapport. SBF’s business facilitation efforts helped members clinch S$210 million worth of deals in 2008, with another S$130 million under negotiation. Aside from overseas expansion, SBF also sought to apprise members of business opportunities in emerging sectors such as clean and renewable energy and franchising.

Bahrain Business Seminar, 15 October 2008

Mission to Chongquing & Wuhan, 20 – 27 April 2008

Briefing on Budget 2008, 24 March 2008

Mission to Libya, 5 – 13 April 2008


Review of 2008 19

Representing the Voice of Business In 2008, SBF organised a wide range of programmes from seminars, briefings and workshops to member outreach surveys, dialogue sessions and forums to inform, garner views and represent the voice of the business community to government, world business chambers and at international fora.

SBF’s engagement of its members in Q4 2008 via two business outlook surveys, feedback sessions and a pre-Budget 2009 dialogue validated concerns regarding high operating costs and the availability of credit lines. This prompted SBF to facilitate a meeting between the leaders of the Singapore business community and the Ministry of Trade & Industry and Ministry of Finance for a better understanding of the needs of businesses and the challenges they face.

a. Key Outreach ActivitiesNotable activities during the year included:

the National Security Dialogue in May organised by SBF in partnership with the National Security Coordination Secretariat at which Prof S Jayakumar, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, delivered the keynote address.

the launch of the SBF – SPRING Singapore Financial Management Series of quarterly seminars in September at which industry experts shared best practice on cost and risk management.

the launch of the Business Outlook and Sentiment Series of quarterly seminars in October to update members on the local and regional economies and to brief them on initiatives such as the government’s loan financing scheme for companies.

Briefing on Budget 2008, 24 March 2008 SME Financial Management Seminar, 30 September 2008

Assisting companies to build capability and resilienceSBF also stepped up its efforts to help members to build capacity and resilience through initiatives such as the EnterpriseOne Business Advisory Services, Mentorship Program, SME & Markets Help Desk and BizXchange, an online business directory.

By Q3 2008, recognising that it would be a challenging period ahead for businesses, SBF launched a quarterly series of business briefings on business outlook and sentiments, as well as cost and risk management to help members come to terms with the rapidly changing operating environment.

Other developmentsIn other developments, the SBF Council and Board of Trustees approved SBF’s acquisition of the intellectual property rights to Global Entrepolis Singapore (GES) from the Economic Development Board. The acquisition will enable SBF to organise and manage a range of business conventions and exhibitions under the GES umbrella.

Separately, in line with the practice of good governance, SBF Secretariat staff were briefed by CEO Teng Theng Dar on the SBF Code of Conduct. All staff were advised to adhere strictly to the code in the course of their work and when dealing with members, business partners, vendors and other third parties.

Helping members find their collective voice in government and internationallyAs apex chamber, SBF represented the voice of the business community in dialogue with the government and at regional and multilateral fora such as ASEAN, APEC and the International Chamber of Commerce.

Key national policy briefings and dialogue sessions in 2008 included the pre and post Budget 2008 feedback sessions, National Security Dialogue and National Wages Council Guidelines 08/09.

The worsening global economic and business environment in the later half of the year prompted SBF to facilitate a meeting between the leaders of the Singapore business community and the Ministry of Trade & Industry as well as Ministry of Finance to discuss the difficulties faced by companies in regard to business costs and cash flow. The resilience package unveiled in Budget 2009 had gone some way to help alleviate these concerns.

Business Continuity Management Seminar

ASEAN Economic Community 2015 Seminar

Mentorship Program

National Security Dialogue


Review of 2008 2120 Review of 2008

APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC)

Under the ABAC 2008 theme “Mind the Gap: Making Globalisation an Opportunity for All”, the business-led council conducted a series of meetings to address issues pertinent to the APEC business community. ABAC represents the private sector consultative arm of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.

The Singapore ABAC members are Mr. Teng Theng Dar, (also Co-Chair of ABAC 2008), Ms Chong Siak Ching, (also Co-Chair of the Liberalisation Working Group), Mr. Ng Ser Miang (till November 2008) and Mr. Tang Kin Fei (from November 2008).

SBF serves as the ABAC Singapore Secretariat and provides support to the ABAC Singapore members at ABAC meetings as well as at various APEC Senior Officials and Working Group meetings.

The key issues raised were: An urgent need for a successful

conclusion of the suspended Doha Development Agenda.

Recognition of the excellent opportunity for Pacific regional integration, with the Free Trade Area of the Trans-Pacific a feasible path towards achieving the Bogor Goals.

A call to APEC Leaders to improve confidence in the credit and capital markets to avoid future financial market turmoil.

A call to APEC to continue to make SME development a priority given the vital role that they play in APEC economies.

To resist protectionist measures and inject substantial fiscal stimulus to help revive the ailing global and regional economies.

Through the ABAC process, businesses can look towards improved market access in the Asia-Pacific region, and further reduction in business costs by way of: Greater trade and investment

liberalisation and facilitation. Increased ease of doing

business via structural and regulatory reform

Enhanced connectivity through improvement of trade logistics and supply chains.

Increased support for SMEs in capacity building and financing.

2008 ASEAN Business & Investment Summit & ASEAN Business Awards

The 2008 Summit held in Bangkok in February 2009, saw the call by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council, of which SBF Council Member, Mr. Robert Yap is the Co-chair, for the grouping to recommend to the ASEAN Leaders that an ASEAN fund be created to allow companies ready to go regional and global to have access to affordable financing.

At the ASEAN Business Awards (ABA), held as part of the Summit, five Singapore companies vied for honours alongside 23 other finalists from the region. Three of the Singapore finalists – Keppel Offshore and Marine Limited (Larger Size Companies – Employment), Network Express Courier Services Pte Ltd (SMEs – Employment), and Cherie Hearts Group International Pte Ltd (SMEs – Growth) emerged winners in their respective categories. As the Secretariat of ASEAN-BAC Singapore, the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) was instrumental in facilitating the entries of Singapore companies for this award.

At the conclusion of the 2008 ABAC meetings, Singapore assumed the Chairmanship of ABAC, with Mr. Teng Theng Dar serving as Chair of ABAC 2009, Ms Chong Siak Ching as Chair of the APEC 2009 CEO Summit and Mr. Tang Kin Fei as Co-Chair of the Sustainable Development Working Group.

ABAC’s recommendations to APEC Leaders were presented at the Annual ABAC Dialogue with Leaders in Lima in November 2008, and subsequently reflected in the 2008 APEC Leaders Declarations.

b. Advocacy and TripartismThe advocacy and tripartite process of businesses working in alignment with government and the unions to enhance the business and operating environment was evident in the following policy briefings:

Briefing on Proposed Work Injury Compensation Act (January) Members’ Dialogue on Guidelines for Audit Committee (February) Singapore Tripartism Forum – Dialogue on Employment & Employability Challenges (April) Briefing on National Wages Council Guidelines 08/09 (May) Employers Briefing on First One-Stop Information Portal for Re-employment (August) Work – Life Conference 2008 (August) Briefing on Proposed Amendments to the Employment Act (September) Briefing on Enhanced Marriage & Parenthood Package (September and October) Pre-Budget 2009 Dialogue Session (November)

These events were attended by 7,378 participants.

c. Regional/Multilateral CooperationAsia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Meeting

SBF participated at the APEC meeting in Peru in November which was attended by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. In conjunction with the meeting, SBF led a 14-man business delegation to evaluate possible partnerships with their Latin American counterparts in Peru, Brazil and Chile. SBF Chairman Tony Chew noted that “as a non-traditional market, Latin America offers great potential as many of the sectors are still in the emerging or infant stage of growth.” Singapore’s trade with the region grew 13.7 per cent to US$8.89 billion in 2007.

the pre-Budget 2009 Dialogue in November organised by SBF, REACH (formerly known as the Feedback Unit) and Ministry of Finance to gather views from the business community in preparation for the Budget Statement.

CEO Boardroom Talk helmed by outgoing SBF Chairman, Mr. Stephen Lee on reflections on the NWC Guidelines 08/09 in June.

the dialogue with Dr. Kenchi Ohmae on Growing Singapore’s Business and Investment Hub for Competitive advantage

two SBF Business Voice & Sentiment Surveys in Q4, the results of which provided the motivation for SBF to facilitate a meeting between the business community and the Ministry of Trade & Industry and Ministry of Finance on the concerns and challenges that businesses were facing.

Briefing on Amendments to the Employment Act, 26 November 2008



Helping Businesses Build Capacity and ResilienceDuring the year, SBF’s Capacity Building Group and Industry Development Department partnered member companies to enhance their competitiveness through capacity building services such as the EnterpriseOne Business Advisory Services, Global Sourcing Hub, Mentorship Program and SME & Markets Help Desk.

EnterpriseOne Business Information Services (EBIS)

Launched in August 2007, EBIS is a comprehensive business information and advisory service that enables companies, in particular SMEs, to access a suite of services to equip them with the knowledge and skills to compete effectively in the local and global marketplace. As a key platform of the capacity building process, EBIS enables SMEs to obtain customised business intelligence and leads, empowers them with business learning and networking opportunities through industry workshops and networking activities, and is a source of monthly newsletters with updates on global and industry trends. More than 1,450 SMEs benefitted from EBIS in 2008.

Separately, SBF’s Member Relations Group organised a wide range of trade, human resource, tax and financial management seminars and workshops in collaboration with knowledge partners to impart best practice to members. By Q3 2008, recognising that it would be a challenging period ahead for businesses, SBF launched a quarterly series of business briefings on business outlook and sentiments, as well as cost and risk management to help members come to terms with the rapidly changing operating environment.

East Asia Business Council International Chamber of CommerceSBF is a National Committee of The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC). ICC is an International body with National Committees in more than 130 countries. It comprises 15 Commissions that shape the chamber’s public stance on different global issues.

As the world’s premier business organisation, ICC has helped to open markets and build a rules-based global economy, written rules for international trade, resolution of commercial disputes and served as spokesman for the business community whenever government decisions affect the bottom line. SBF organises on-going ICC-related trading seminars as well as markets ICC publications to companies.

ASEAN Economic Community 2015

In an effort to create greater awareness of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint among its members, SBF organised a forum in September 2008 on AEC’s impact on business, public-private sector collaboration and benefits to SMEs. The ASEAN business community, through the ASEAN

Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC), is working closely with the ASEAN governments to facilitate business growth in ASEAN via schemes such as ASEAN Pioneer Projects Scheme. SBF, as the secretariat to Singapore’s three representatives to ASEAN BAC, is fully supportive of this initiative.

In his keynote address, Mr. Lim Hng Kiang, Minister for Trade and Industry, told his audience of 150 senior executives from SMEs and large corporates that the forum was a useful platform for them to discuss and look at effective ways to play a key role in the AEC initiative. “It is important to us that you benefit from our initiatives, and that you remain actively engaged in the development and growth of ASEAN as an economic community” he added. Other speakers at the forum included representatives from the ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN-BAC, SBF and McKinsey & Co.

EABC urged the ASEAN+3 Leaders to strengthen and institutionalise existing regional initiatives such as the Chiang Mai Initiatives and Asian Bond Markets. EABC called for long term reforms, including new and bolder measures to enhance resilience and to build a stronger regional financial system.

At its meeting on 16 January, 2009 in Bangkok, the East Asia Business Council (EABC) discussed the ASEAN+3 Co-operation Work Plan and the global economic crisis. Following the meeting, EABC submitted its recommendations to the Prime Minister of Thailand for the consideration of ASEAN+3 Leaders.



Green IT Survey

SBF initiated a Green IT Survey with Institute of System Science – National University of Singapore as the consulting partner in 2Q 2008.

The objectives of the Survey were:

determine Singapore companies’ current level of interests, adoption and implementation plans in Green IT & Computing.

determine the estimated market value of cost savings from IT energy efficiency at business, industry and general economy level.

derive critical information to roll out an effective implementation and follow-up plan for a national Green IT industry campaign.

Singapore Sustainable Development Industry Directory

In November, SBF launched the inaugural edition of the Singapore Sustainable Development Industry Directory, comprising a comprehensive list of more than 300 companies across more than 30 different sustainable development industry sub-sectors focused on green practices and in the business of providing clean and green solutions.

The directory, published by Singapore Business Federation and supported by EDB, IE Singapore, NEA and SPRING Singapore as well as other business and industry partners, aims to generate greater consciousness and interest towards Sustainable Development and serves as an enabling platform to facilitate, promote and support green business opportunities.

The survey drew more than 330 responses and the results were presented to National Environment Agency (NEA), Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (iDA) as well as the Green IT Standards Technical Committee of SPRING Singapore to help them in devising further industry development and assistance and incentive programmes for companies in the adoption of green IT.

As a follow-up, SBF will engage in outreach programmes to help more Singapore companies leverage on the Green IT incentive and assistance schemes of NEA and IDA. It will also work with business and industry partners to raise awareness and facilitate business opportunities in areas including green data centres, cost management via office productivity solutions, the use of IT in sustainable manufacturing, logistics and supply chain sectors as well as in buildings and facility management.

Clean Energy Testbedding Community (CETC)

One of the first major initiatives of the CEBG is the collaboration with Temasek Polytechnic (TP) to establish the Clean Energy Testbedding Community (CETC) aimed at business and technological cooperation to test bed and pilot Fuel Cell (FC) and other Clean Energy Technologies (CET). The CETC, supported by EDB, was officially launched on 20 January 2009. It taps on the Fuel Cell Community (FCC) of TP to provide the facilities and technologies for test-bedding and piloting fuel cell, solar energy and other clean energy applications for eventual adoption.

With the setup of the CETC, interested CEBG members will thus be provided with the clean energy adoption knowledge, access to technical support and potential business opportunities and partners in this area.

Key outcomes of CETC in 2008 include:

the inauguration of the first CETC Business Facilitation series in October targeting at Green Building and Facilities Management

securing the support of EDB as a partner for CETC securing the support of SPRING Singapore as a funding partner for CETC facilitation of various company and project meetings involving solution providers

and adopters/user companies, as well as two business roundtables to facilitate the renewable energy projects at Pulau Ubin by Energy Markets Authority and clean energy solutions for Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city.

Clean Energy Business Group (CEBG)

SBF works closely with the Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore, the industry lead for clean and sustainable energy, in the development of the clean energy industry through joint events and initiatives. SBF initiated the formation of the Clean Energy Business Group (CEBG) for member companies interested in the adoption and/or commercialisation of clean energy solutions. Its aim is to connect interested companies to various industry verticals, technology partners; help link them to business leads in the clean energy sector and facilitate tapping into available schemes, incentives and sources of funding for their clean energy plans. Areas of focus include adoption and/or commercialisation of fuel cell, solar energy and other cleantech & energy efficient solutions in areas such as Green Building and Facilities Management, Environmental Management, Green IT/Data Centre, Sustainable Energy Manufacturing and Sustainable Energy Business Practices.

It is estimated that more than 90% of SBF’s 15,000+ member companies are potential adopters of clean energy and energy efficiency solutions. Many of the big users of power and energy are from sectors such as construction and property, manufacturing, banking & finance, telcos, transport and logistics and data centres which can benefit from clean energy and energy efficiency solutions that reduce business costs and the adverse impact on climate change.



ASEANHighlights of activities by the SBF ASEAN Desk include:

MALAYSIA

Conference on Business Opportunities in Malaysia(12 August)

This is the fourth annual conference since 2005 aimed at apprising members of the business and investment opportunities in Malaysia.

Jointly organized by SBF, MITI, MIDA and MATRADE, the event included a dialogue session moderated by SBF Chairman, Mr. Tony Chew at which Mr. Lim Hng Kiang, Minister for Trade & Industry and his Malaysian counterpart, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Minister of International Trade & Industry fielded questions from participants. The event provided the close to 1,000 participants with good networking opportunities at the business matching session and insights into Malaysia’s future development plans, including incentives to woo foreign investors.

Briefings on Iskandar Malaysia (21 May)

SBF organised a post-mission dialogue session on Iskandar Malaysia, chaired by Mr. VK Rajan (who led the initial mission) which benefited 36 participants, including SBF members who were unable to join the actual mission. It was also a useful session for mission delegates who had follow-up investment enquiries which SBF was able to facilitate by linking them to the relevant authorities.

SBF also supported a seminar by SiLC (Southern Industrial and Logistics Clusters) of Nusajaya in June which provided some 350 participants from the local business community with the latest updates on the business and investment opportunities in Nusajaya.

INDONESIA

Projects Briefing and Investment Facilitation(17 September)

This event provided some 40 participants with detailed information on 15 investment projects in Jakarta, Banten, West and East Java worth USD 1.1 billion. There was also a briefing on the new Indonesian investment law and how it will provide a more conducive environment for foreign investors, as well as the financing tools available for investing in Indonesia. Participants found the projects briefing fruitful and a good opportunity to network.

Networking Session: Batam, Bintan and Karimun (BBK) (20 June) & Maluku Islands(5 August)SBF organised a post-mission briefing on the BBK Special Economic Zone in June to share its assessment on the business environment and potential investment opportunities as well as elicit feedback from delegates to facilitate informed business decision-making. The briefing on Maluku was to deepen the participants’ knowledge on tourism investment opportunities and procedures of doing business there. The briefing also facilitated networking with the head of Maluku Provincial Tourism Board and Maluku government officials. Eighty three participants benefited from these two events.

SBF’s business facilitation efforts in 2008 enabled its members to tap into S$210 million worth of deals with another S$130 million under negotiation. During the year, SBF led and supported 13 overseas missions and received 49 visiting delegations comprising business and government representatives from 22 countries. The business dialogue, information sharing, networking and business matching sessions that resulted from these outbound and inbound visits benefitted close to 3,600 members.

Networking and Business Facilitation

Visit by Crown Prince of Bahrain, 15 October 2008 Visit by Minister of External Relations of Brazil, 29 February 2008

SBF continued to help members to explore new and emerging economies in the Middle East and Africa, ASEAN, North and South Asia, Latin America and Europe. Business ties were established with new markets including Libya and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), whilst linkages were strengthened with counterpart chambers, companies and government agencies in countries where SBF has developed rapport.

In 2008, SBF was privileged to welcome distinguished visitors including His Highness Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Bahrain; H.E. Ambassador Celso Amorim, Minister of External Relations, Brazil; His Excellency Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, Minister of Investment of the Arab Republic of Egypt; Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Minister of International Trade & Industry, Malaysia; Mr. Paavo Väyrynen, Minister for

Foreign Trade and Development, Finland and Mr. Ri Ryong Nam, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Foreign Trade Minister, amongst others.

The combined incoming and outgoing business delegations and missions benefited some 3,600 SBF members by way of business roundtables, briefings, networking and business matching sessions.



NORTH ASIAIn 2008, SBF consolidated business ties with several established as well as emerging provinces in China including Guangdong, Chongqing, Wuhan and Nanning. It also enhanced contacts with both the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and South Korea.

CHINA

Business Mission to Chongqing and Wuhan (20 – 27 April)

SBF and International Enterprise Singapore jointly led a delegation of 58 officials and business delegates from 30 companies and organisations for a

networking and fact-finding mission to Chongqing and Wuhan in April. Mr. Lee Yi Shyan, Minister of State (Trade & Industry) led the mission.

The mission delegates met with leaders of Chongqing, were briefed by senior officials on the business opportunities there and established useful contacts. A Chongqing-Singapore city planning networking session was also held. The idea of forming a small consortium among members to explore potential projects was mooted. SBF followed up to facilitate the interest of some members to evaluate projects in the leisure business, manufacturing (specialized cement), urban planning, education and IT among others. About $125 million worth of business deals and projects were considered by participating companies during and after the mission.

Doing Business in Vietnam cum Post-Mission Session (1 August)

This “Essentials for Doing Business in Vietnam” seminar organised by SBF was supported by Sembcorp Parks Management, DHL Express, Khattar Wong Vietnam and EnterpriseOne Business Information Services (EBIS). Along with practical business information, this session provided the 93 participants with a comprehensive overview of Vietnam, including manufacturing opportunities, logistics and freight issues, various forms of foreign direct investments, financing options as well as key trends and upcoming developments. SBF also shared its findings from the SBF business mission to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh in April 2008.

MOU between SBF and CCPIT Guangdong (16 September)

SBF inked an MOU with CCPIT Guangdong to establish the GSBEC aimed at promoting bilateral economic and trade cooperation between Guangdong and Singapore. The MOU was signed between SBF CEO, Mr. Teng Theng Dar and Chairman, CCPIT Guangdong Council, Mr. Chen Wen Jie, and was witnessed by Mr. Lim Swee Say, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Guangdong Party Secretary Mr. Wang Yang during his visit to Singapore on 16 September 2008.

To date, 21 Singapore companies including Keppel Logistics, ST Engineering, ST Electronics, UOB Kay Hian, Poh Tiong Choon and Chartered Institute of Technology have expressed interest to join the GSBEC and the council has started to provide our members with relevant information regarding the Guangdong development.

Business Mission to Indonesia: Jakarta & Bekasi (10 – 14 November)The SBF-led business mission to Jakarta and Bekasi in partnership with BKPM (The Investment Coordinating Board Republic of Indonesia) enabled participating companies to get a better understanding of the ongoing developments in Jakarta and the business opportunities and projects in Indonesia.

The mission was successful in helping our members to generate business contacts and identified partnerships and joint ventures. An estimated S$1.2 million worth of deals are expected to be concluded in the next 12 months.

Networking with Vietnam’s Leading Business Club(11 November)

SBF hosted a business networking dinner for the visiting business delegation from Vietnam’s Leading Business Club – a club of leading entrepreneurs from Vietnam’s business community representing the most trusted and recognised company brands in Vietnam. 55 Singaporean and Vietnamese guests representing 44 companies benefitted from this networking session.

Business Mission to Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh (7 – 12 April)

SBF organised a business mission to Vietnam (Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh) in partnership with SembCorp Parks Management and International Data Group Vietnam. Eighteen delegates representing 15 companies visited the Vietnam Consumer Electronics Expo 2008, Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park, met with officials from the Ministry of Planning & Investment and Investment and Trade Promotion Centre. They also had a networking session with the Singapore Business Group in Vietnam.

VIETNAM

Business Matching Session with Vietnamese Companies(17 November)The session was attended by 13 Vietnamese firms and 29 Singapore companies, comprising 33 and 47 senior executives respectively from the finance, engineering, construction and raw materials industry sectors. It was a useful platform for companies from both sides to expand their network of potential business partners, explore opportunities for collaboration and to gain a better understanding of the investment climate in Vietnam. More than 190 one-to-one contacts were established and S$16 million in sales was estimated to have been generated during the business matching session jointly organised by SBF and The World & Vietnam Report (W&V) of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.



Business Mission to DPRK and follow up Roundtable (10 – 15 May)SBF supported the business mission organized by IE Singapore which accompanied Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo’s visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) in May. This first official mission was significant in view of DPRK celebrating the 60th anniversary of its founding. The delegates from the eight participating companies were positive about the business prospects in DPRK once its restrictive business environment has improved. SBF facilitated the request of some delegates to explore business opportunities by linking them with the relevant DPRK authorities.

As a follow up, SBF and IE Singapore jointly organised a post-mission DPRK Business Roundtable in August that provided 22 participants from 17 companies with insights on business opportunities in DPRK, especially in sectors such as textiles, ICT, and trading. Ted Tan, Deputy CEO of International Enterprise Singapore and three speakers from the business mission shared their findings and experiences about doing business in DPRK.

SBF-KITA Business Matching Session (17 March & 11 June)SBF and the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) Singapore representative office jointly organised two business networking sessions between 20 Korean and 61 Singapore companies in March and June to facilitate exploration of business opportunities and partnerships. KITA officials and all participants were pleased with the contacts made at the sessions and looked forward to more such events in the future.

Seminar on Investment and Business Opportunities in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) (1 December)

This is the first business seminar ever to be organised on DPRK, in conjunction with the official visit of the DPRK Foreign Trade Minister Ri Ryong Nam to Singapore. Officials from the Korea Foreign Investment Board and DPRK Chamber of Commerce briefed some 60 participants on the country’s economic, investment and trade environment, and highlighted business and investment opportunities available to Singapore companies in industries such as mining, agriculture and manufacturing. The participants responded positively to SBF’s impromptu survey regarding joining its business mission to visit DPRK’s Spring Trade Fair in May 2009.

MOU Signing between SBF and DPRK Chamber of Commerce (2 December)

Mr. Tony Chew, Chairman of SBF and Mr. Ri Hak Gwon, Chairman of DPRKCC, inked an MOU to facilitate information exchange and the exploration of business opportunities to promote bilateral trade between Singapore and Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. The signing, witnessed by Singapore’s Minister for Trade and Industry, Lim Hng Kiang, and DPRK Foreign Trade Minister, H.E. Ri Ryong Nam, was preceded by the signing of an Investment Guarantee Agreement between the governments of the two countries.

DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF KOREA & SOUTH KOREA

5th China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) Nanning, Guangxi (22 – 25 October)

China Guangdong-Singapore Business Conference 2008 (14 – 17 September)

SBF supported this conference at which Guangdong Party Secretary Wang Yang, led some 450 Guangdong senior officials and entrepreneurs to Singapore to promote bilateral investment and trade relations between Singapore and Guangdong. The event was attended by 1,800 participants, including Singapore businessmen. SBF will provide assistance to link its members with the relevant Guangdong authorities and business contacts.

SBF led Singapore’s participation at the 5th CAEXPO in Nanning, Guangxi aimed at promoting economic and business cooperation between China and Singapore. Through the hosting of CAEXPO, more Singapore companies have become aware of the potential of Nanning and Guangxi. Some 20 Singapore SMEs are currently operating in Nanning.



Other South Asia ActivitiesSome of the other South Asia activities organised during the year included:

MIDDLE EAST & AFRICABusiness Mission to Qatar & UAE (29 January – 3 February)SBF’s Middle East Business Group (MEBG) led a 38-member business mission to accompany Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong on his official visit to the two countries. It was the largest Singapore business delegation to visit the Middle East, comprising senior representatives from diverse industries.

The highlight of the business mission was the inaugural Qatar-Singapore Business Forum (QSBF) in Doha, graced by H.E. Yousef Hussein Kamal, Minister of Finance, H.E. Dr. Mohamed Saleh Al-Sada, Minister of State for Energy, with SM Goh as the Guest of Honour. The QSBF was jointly organised by the Qatari and Singapore governments and business communities, with SBF and the Qatari Businessmen Association (QBA) fronting it. Attended by 150 top government officials and business leaders from both countries, the forum witnessed the inking of three cooperation agreements. Besides the MOU between SBF and QBA to facilitate exchanges and explore business opportunities to spur bilateral trade between the countries, the QBA also signed an MOU with SPRING Singapore to facilitate exchanges of experience on the development of SMEs. The third MOU was signed between Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) and Keppel Corp, by which QIA becomes the first partner in the Tianjin eco-city project developed by Singapore and China.

The QSBF helped to profile Singapore’s business competence and open doors for possible collaborations between Singapore businesses with the Qatari and Emirati counterparts. The mission helped delegates to generate $17.5 million worth of business deals.

Singapore-India Partnership Foundation – 2nd Annual General Meeting (4 April)

Business Mission to India (Gujarat & Kerala) (17– 24 June)

Economic Roundtable on Nepal with visiting MP Mr. Binod Chaudhary (16 October)

Investment Conference on Gujarat (22 October)

4th International Conference on South Asia – Challenges of Economic Growth, Inequality and Conflict in South Asia (24 November)

Business Mission to Libya(5 – 13 May)

This business mission was organised in conjunction with the official visit by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong to Libya.

The business mission was led by Mr. Teng Theng Dar, Chief Executive of Singapore Business Federation and comprised 19 senior representatives from diverse industries.

The highlight of the visit was the Libya-Singapore Business Networking Dinner attended by SM Goh Chok Tong and H.E. Abd Al-Hafidh Zalitni, Deputy Prime Minister of Libya, at which an MOU was signed between SBF and the Libyan Businessmen Council (LBC) to facilitate exchanges and the exploration of business opportunities, to spur bilateral trade between both countries. The mission delegates also attended briefings organized by the relevant Libyan ministries and government agencies, and participated in the business-matching session.

The mission helped to expedite the process and conclusion of a three-year S$175 million water and waste water infrastructure contract for mission participant, Boustead Singapore Limited. The company had been negotiating the deal since 2007.

Seminar on Business & Investment Opportunities in Bangladesh (19 June)The objective of the seminar was to educate companies on the broad overview of the Bangladesh economy and the opportunities available in selected sectors, such as infrastructure, chemicals and electronics. Some companies expressed interest to start greenfield operations to cater to the needs of the growing marketplace.

Seminar on Business & Investment Opportunities in Sri Lanka (22 August)This briefing organised by SBF enabled the visiting government officials and business people from Sri Lanka to update our local businessmen on the country’s political and economic situation. Additionally, the 52 participants picked up valuable tips from long established Singaporean companies operating in Sri Lanka, such as Prima Foods and Shing Kwan Group. Overall, participants were pleased with the candidness of the speakers and encouraged by the improvement in the political situation in Sri Lanka. A few companies discussed with the visitors the feasibility of starting partnerships and distributorships in the country.

Seminar on Navigating India’s Booming Economy – Opportunities in the Goods Trading and Food & Beverage Sectors (14 August & 24 October)

SOUTH ASIA

SBF and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry jointly organised a business mission to India to enable delegates to learn about the largely untapped tourism market there and to explore partnerships with India operators. The mission was in conjunction with the Great India Travel Bazaar in Jaipur, Rajasthan, sponsored by Department of Tourism, Rajasthan and the Indian government.

Singapore tour operators were able to meet with owners of boutique hotels, spas and recreational establishments and came away better equipped to design customized tour packages to India. The delegates shared that the mission had generated useful business contacts and facilitated exploration of possible partnerships and joint ventures.

The Goods Trading seminar enlightened 35 participants on the opportunities available in the goods trading sector in India. It also provided valuable insights on how companies can leverage the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement to improve their trading activities, and how the logistics environment in India affects their business operations.

At the Food & Beverage seminar, 52 participants were able to pick up valuable tips on the taxation and legal framework and the prospects of competing with the domestic beverage companies in India. Speakers at the seminar, including from Asia Pacific Breweries, shared key insights about the dynamics of the Indian market and how they overcame the challenges of operating there.

Mission to India (19 – 24 April)



Investment Climate and Business Opportunities in Egypt (14 August)

Dialogue with H.E. Alfadhel Al-Harthy, Omani Undersecretary For Development Affairs, Ministry of National Economy (20 August)

This seminar was organised in conjunction with visit of His Excellency Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, Minister of Investment of the Arab Republic of Egypt, and a high level official and business delegation. Mr. Zainul Abidin Rasheed, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore and advisor to the SBF Middle East Business Group hosted the visitors.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Singapore Business Federation (SBF) and General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) Egypt to create a consolidated B-to-B platform that will strengthen MEBG’s cause in facilitating business flow into the MENA region.

Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin briefed some 80 members of the local business community on the current business environment and opportunities in Egypt. In addition, participants were also updated on the opportunities in Uganda, Swaziland and Rwanda by the respective chairmen of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa.

SBF co-organised a dialogue session for H.E. Alfadhel Al-Harthy, Omani Undersecretary For Development Affairs Ministry of National Economy, Oman to discuss investment opportunities in the Sultanate of Oman attended by 20 prominent local business leaders representing the E-government, property development, IT, education, business solutions and tourism sectors.

The participants were briefed on the latest developments and business opportunities in Oman, and were told that the Omani government is committed to attracting investors as it embarks on its diversification program.

This exclusive dialogue session enabled Singapore companies to present their interests and capabilities to the Omani leaders, especially for those currently pursuing projects in the Sultanate. Singapore companies seeking partnerships in Oman in airport logistics systems, e-government, quarrying and mining, marine and petrochemical, port operation and tourism promotion were some of the key sectors that presented their case to the Omanis.

MOUs were signed with the following partners:

WongPartnership (legal) KPMG (accounting and taxation) Ameen Talib and Associates

(knowledge of ME culture)

In addition, vice-chairmanship appointments were presented to key markets champions in recognition of their commitment to support the Singapore business community's foray into the MENA region with their business experience and professional expertise. The appointments were as follows:

MEBG Vice Chairmen

1. Dato’ Mohd Zain Bin Abdullah, Executive Chairman of Prestige Marine Services Pte Ltd and President of the Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry

2. Mr. Shabbir Hassanbhai, Director of Indo Straits Trading Co Pte Ltd and Singapore High Commissioner to Nigeria

3. Mr. Wong Meng Meng, Senior Counsel and Founder-Consultant of Wong Partnership LLP

Seminar on Business Opportunities in Iran (7 August)

Following the visit to Tehran by H.E. Gopinath Pillai, Singapore’s Non-Resident Ambassador to Iran in September 2007, SBF extended an invitation to the Iran Chamber of Commerce Industries and Mines (ICCIM) to visit Singapore with a business delegation.

Launch of the MEBG Partnership Programme (15 October)

SBF launched the second phase of its business platform, the Middle East Business Group (MEBG) in conjunction with the visit to Singapore by His Highness Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

H.E. Dr. Mohammad Nahavandian, President of the ICCIM led a 18 strong business delegation comprising prominent heads of Iranian companies representing the tourism and hotels, oil and gas, transport, petrochemical, general trading, construction, agro-industries trading, services and retail sectors.

The business opportunities in Iran seminar and business matching session attracted 110 participants. The dialogue session, moderated by SBF Council Member Mr. Tang Kin Fei drew friendly banter from the business community about the business opportunities that are available in Iran, the banking issues that impede trade and travel restrictions.

The visit by ICCIM marked an important step towards the strengthening of bilateral business ties between Iran and Singapore through the B-to-B linkage fronted by SBF. The seminar was a useful platform for our companies to seek clarification and practical advice on how to do business in Iran, including how to overcome regulatory impediments. The business matching session provided our businessmen the opportunity to establish useful contacts with their Iranian counterparts.

Attended by more than 100 business leaders, the launch of the MEBG Knowledge Partners Programme was to introduce new key initiatives for MEBG’s next phase since its founding in 2007. This initiative was in response to members’ feedback on the need to understand the market and business environment better through sharing of market knowledge and expertise for purposes of overseas expansion.

The Knowledge Partners Programme aims to enhance MEBG members’ access to advisory services through a pool of knowledge partners on various areas of legal, accounting and taxation, financial and cultural aspects of doing business in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.



“Brazil – The Next Leap” Business Seminar and Networking Session (29 February)

This seminar was organised by SBF in conjunction with the first high-level visit of H.E. Ambassador Celso Amorim, Minister of External Relations of Brazil to Singapore. He was accompanied by a business delegation of 16 senior level representatives from companies such as Petrobras, Odebrecht, Banco do Brasil and Cargill, amongst others.

Ambassador Amorim and Mr. Lim Hng Kiang, Minister for Trade & Industry of Singapore, spoke at the seminar and witnessed the signing of an MOU between SBF and Federation of Industries of the State of Sao Paulo(FIESP). The MOU signified the commitment by both organisations to facilitate exchanges to pursue business cooperation and grow business links between Brazil and Singapore.

Finland-Singapore CEO Dialogue (20 February)

This roundtable business dialogue was organised with the Confederation of Finnish Industries EK, in conjunction with the official visit of H.E. Tarja Halonen, the President of Finland to Singapore. She was accompanied by a 16-strong business delegation.

The dialogue, graced by Mr. Lim Hng Kiang, Minister for Trade and Industry, Singapore, and Mr. Paavo Väyrynen, Finnish Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, was attended by more than 50 top business people from both countries.

More than 120 Singapore businessmen from the Oil & Gas, Transport and Logistics, ICT, Banking & Finance, Healthcare, Media, Consumer Staples and Discretionary sectors attended the seminar. They were briefed on the Brazilian economy and the business opportunities in sectors such as oil & gas, energy, aviation, infrastructure and logistics and banking and finance.

Business leaders from both sides were updated on the latest developments in the two economies as well as industries, and shared their knowledge and exchanged ideas for potential areas of collaboration.

SBF and the Confederation of Finnish Industries EK inked an MOU to promote deeper cooperation between both organisations and to promote business exchanges between both countries. Singapore expressed its keenness to partner Finland in tapping the latter’s expertise in environmental technology in areas such as water and waste treatment, water recycling and clean energy.

LATIN AMERICA & EUROPE

CEO Business Mission to Latin America (20 – 27 November)

In conjunction with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s first ever visit to Latin America, the Singapore Business Federation and International Enterprise Singapore jointly organised a high-level CEO business mission to Peru, Brazil and Chile from 20 – 27 November 2008. Led by Mr. Tony Chew, Chairman, SBF and Mr. Teng Theng Dar, Chief Executive Officer, SBF and Mr. Chong Lit Cheong, Chief Executive Officer, IE Singapore, the delegation comprised 14 senior businessmen from nine Singapore companies, officials from IE Singapore, Singapore Economic Development Board and SBF.

One of the highlights of the programme was the attendance by the delegation at the APEC CEO Summit in Lima, Peru from 20 – 23 November 2008. The annual Summit is a key platform for senior business people

to engage political leaders, policymakers, influential academics and other CEOs from the Asia Pacific and the Americas on issues relating to promoting free and open trade. While in Lima, the business delegation also had the opportunity to have a short discussion with the Columbian Commerce Minister.

During the Brazil and Chile legs, the delegation met with principal business organizations such as the Federation of Industries of the State of Sao Paulo (FIESP), APEX Brazil and the Santiago Chamber of Commerce (CCS) to discuss business opportunities between the two communities. The delegation also attended the ENADE, one of the most significant business conferences in Chile graced by Chilean President, Michelle Bachelet, at which Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong delivered a speech.

The mission helped participating companies, on their inaugural visit to Latin America, to have a first hand experience of the business environment and gain an introductory understanding of the business potential in Latin America. It also opened doors for our companies to network and establish direct contacts with public and private sector decision makers in the countries visited.



Seminars / Dialogue Sessions / Workshops organised by SBF

JANUARY Workshop on Incoterms 2000 Silver Industry Conference & Exhibition

(SICEX) 2008 “Cut Carbons, Grow Profits” Workshop Distinguished Alumni Business

Leaders Forum Expo Central China 2008

Promotion Seminar “How to benefit from environment

& Low Carbon Economy” Workshop Business Opportunities & The New

Indonesian Investment Law SBF Workshop on Understanding the

UCP 600 & ISBP 2007 EBIS Information Resources Seminar:

China is Aggressively moving up the Value Chain, are you ready to ride the tide?

Making Headways into Latin America – Peru & APEC CEO Summit 2008

Briefing on Tax Treatments of Various Benefits-In-Kind

Clean Energy & Sustainable Development Industry Informal Business Networking Session

Briefing on Proposed Work Injury Compensation Act

Business Outlook 2008

FEBRUARY Sharing and Feedback Session on

Future Global Trends Briefing on Changes to Tax Treatment

of Various Benefits-in-Kind (Re-run) SBF Employment Relations/Legislation

Workshop Series – Designing & Planning Employee Benefits

SME Financial Series 2008 – Mentorship Programme: Strategic Business Planning

Briefing on Flexi-Works! Scheme & Work-Life Excellence Award 2008

SBF Seminar on Regulatory Compliances in India

Members’ Dialogue Session on Guidance for Audit Committee

SBF Workshop on Letters of Credit: An in-depth Understanding for Importers & Exporters

EBIS Information Resources Seminar: Medical Tourism in Asia Pacific

Business Continuity Management: Introduction to BCM-TR19 and Implementing it for your Company

TradeExchange™ Electronic Document Management: Benefits to the Trade Community

SBF Employment Relations/Legislation Workshop Series – Understanding the Singapore Employment Act & its Key Provisions

Clean Energy & Sustainable Development Industry – Informal Business Networking Session

“Brazil – The Next Leap” Business Seminar and Networking Session

Seminar on Green Computing and IT for Energy Efficiency

Chinese New Year Business Networking

On target... List of 2008 Activities


List of 2008 Activities 41

EBIS Country Seminar: Vietnam – Emerging Business Trends & Opportunities

Seminar on “How to be a Successful Manager”

HRM Workshop: Termination and Dismissal Issues

Sustainable Development Industry Informal Networking Series

Workshop on Case-Studies on 30 Pitfalls, Tricks & Traps in Letters of Credit Transactions

HRM Workshop: Restructuring of Companies & Transfer of Employment

“MEXICO | NIP 07-12” Information Session and Business Seminar

EBIS Information Resources Seminar: Global Halal Food Market – Great Opportunities for Business Enterprise

HRM Workshop: Writing the Employee Handbook

AUGUST Essentials for Doing Business in Vietnam

Cum Vietnam Post-Mission Session CEO Forum 2008 (Conducted

in Mandarin) SBF Workshop on Incoterms 2000 Networking Lunch – Indonesia:

Maluku The Hidden Gem In Asia Seminar on Business Opportunities in

Iran & Business Matching Session 2008 Invitation to Participate in the Seminar

& Dialogue Session on “Business Opportunities in Malaysia”

www.re-employment.sg – A Tripartite Initiative: The First one-stop information portal for Employers & Workers on Re-employment

Navigating India’s Booming Economy – Opportunities for SMEs Goods Trading Sector

Work-Life Conference 2008 Seminar on “Investment Climate and

Business Opportunities in Egypt” Creative Industries Exchange –

Innovating Your Business HRM Workshop: Employment

Contract Issues EBIS Forum: CRM in Building Customer

Connections: How to Turn Interactions into Business Opportunities?

SBF Workshop on Letters of Credit – An in-depth Understanding for Importers & Exporters

Seminar on Business & Investment Opportunities in Sri Lanka

Dinner Dialogue with Dr. Kenichi Ohmae – “Growing Singapore’s Business and Investment Hub for Competitive Advantage”

HRM Workshop: Discipline Handling at the Workplace

Briefing on Auto-Inclusion Scheme for Employment Income

The Leaders Network: The New Business Paradigm: Knowing Where to Find the Winners

HRM Workshop: Managing Human Resources in Small & Medium Size-Industries

Exclusive Employers’ Visit to Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Open House

SME Financial Series 2008 – Mentorship Programme: Strategic Business Planning

SEPTEMBER Briefing on the Enhanced Marriage

& Parenthood Package SBF Workshop on Incoterms 2000 Workshop on NEW Corporate Income

Tax Law in China EBIS Country Seminar: Doing

Business in Russia

JUNE SBF Mentorship Series 2008:

Mentor – Model Program Branding For Differentiaton

SBF Sustainable Business Facilitation Series – “Green Solutions”

Business Matching Session with Korean Companies

SBF Workshop on Understanding the UCP 600 & ISBP 2007

HRM Workshop: Designing & Planning Employee Benefits

Business & Investment Opportunities in Bangladesh

China-ASEAN Expo – The 5th China-ASEAN Exposition Trade and Business Opportunities Conference 2008

Post mission networking session on Chongqing and Wuhan

SBF Post Mission / Networking Session: Indonesia – The Emerging Market – Batam, Bintan and Karimun (SEZ)

CEO Boardroom Exchange: National Wages Council (NWC) Guidelines 2008/09

HRM Workshop: Understanding The Singapore Employment Act & Its Key Provisions

Seminar on the Relevance of Competition Law to Your Business

JULY SBF Workshop on Incoterms 2000 Singapore Sustainable Development

Distinguished Speaker Series – Mr. Mike Splinter, President & CEO of Applied Materials “Unlocking the Potential of Solar Energy – a Bright Future for Clean Energy”

Briefing on Company’s Tax Obligations & Completion of Form C For YA 2008

MARCH Workshop on Singapore Financial

Reporting Standard Updates SME Financial Series 2008 –

Mentorship Programme: Developing Financial & Business Master Plan

Workshop on Incoterms Briefing on the Essentials of

Competition Law & Cartel Detection – A Guide for Procurement Officers

Business Matching Session with Korean Companies

SME Financial Series 2008 – Mentorship Programme: Strategic Budgeting

Briefing on Proposed Work Injury Compensation Act (Re-Run)

HRM Workshop – Retiring Employees, The Retirement Age & Re-Employment Issues

Briefing on Budget 2008 Workshop: Case-Studies on

Pitfalls, Tricks & Traps in Letters of Credit Transactions

EBIS FORUM – A place to acquaint, network and collaborate: Netting More Customers™ through the Internet!

Seminar on Business Opportunities in Chongqing & Wuhan

HRM Workshop – Avoid Hiring The Wrong Employee


HRM Workshop – Writing The Employee Handbook

MAY SBF Workshop On Incoterms 2000 TURKEY – The Next Destination Workshop On New Corporate

Income Tax Law In China Joint SBF-SNEF Briefing on National

Wages Council (NWC) Guidelines For 2008/2009

National Security Dialogue: Strengthening Corporate Resilience

HRM Workshop – Employment Contract Issues

Post – Mission Dialogue Session: Iskandar Malaysia (with focus on Nusajaya)

Differentiate or Sell Cheap – How Enterprises Are Built

Workshop on China New Employment Contract Law

“WTO – Make It Your Business” ISEAS-SBF WTO Seminar

SBF Workshop on Letters of Credit – An in-depth Understanding for Importers & Exporters

Workshop on Financial Reporting Standards 12 Income Taxes

Russia-Singapore Business Matching Session

Informal Business Networking Session – Clean Energy & Sustainable Development Industry

HRM Workshop – Discipline Handling at the Workplace

HRM Workshop – Managing Performance Appraisal at the Workplace

EBIS Information Resources Seminar: Emerging Global and Regional Digital Media Market

APRIL Clean Energy & Sustainable Development

Forum – Opportunities for Singapore Companies & Businesses

Seminar on Tripartite Advisory on Responsible Outsourcing Practices

TradeXchange™ – Achieving Operational Efficiency Through Seamless Supply Chain Collaboration

Franchising Opportunities In Emerging Markets – Middle East & Vietnam

Briefing on GST E-Filing Singapore Tripartism Forum (STF)

Dialogue on Employment & Employability Challenges

Briefing on the Essentials of Competition Law & Cartel Detection (Re-run) - A Guide for Procurement Officers

HRM Workshop – Termination And Dismissal Issues

Workshop on Drafting Employment Contract for Executives

SBF Seminar on Managing Distributors & Agents

HRM Workshop – Workforce Flexibility Through Part-Time Employment


EBIS Information Resources SeminarThailand: Overview of the Opportunities and Security Concerns

SBF Workshop On Incoterms 2000 Briefing on Changes to Tax Deduction for

Medical Expenses and Portable Medical Benefits

HRM Workshop – Managing Human Resources In Small & Medium Size-Industries (SMEs)


List of 2008 Activities 4342 List of 2008 Activities

OCTOBER 36th Junior Chamber International

Singapore National Convention 2008 STF Tripartite IR Seminar 2008

“Strengthening Industrial Relations in the New Economy”

Investment in Cambodia PBD Singapore – Towards a Dynamic

Indian Diaspora ISAS Public Lecture – Nepal’s Political

and Economic Transformation: Challenges and Prospects

SME Development Survey 2008 Conference

Wine For Asia 2008 ASEAN Human Resource Summit Singapore Human Capital Summit on

“People Strategies for Asia” Invitation to the Legacy of Tan Kah Kee

and Lee Kong Chian Exhibition Standards eXchange on Management

Systems Enabling Enterprise Competitiveness for Global Markets

NOVEMBER IE Singapore – World Bank Procurement

Workshop – How to do business in World Bank financed projects

Carbon Forum Asia 2008 The 9th Doing Business in Japan Seminar:

Japan-Increasing FDI and M&A, New Business Opportunities

International Arbitration – East Asia Comes of Age

Doing Business in Hungary Korea Product Show and Business

Meeting 2008 The First ICC Regional CEO Forum FOURTH INTERNATIONAL

CONFERENCE ON SOUTH ASIA – Challenges of Economic Growth, Inequality and Conflict in South Asia

Events Supported by SBF

FEBRUARY IE Singapore – Asian Development Bank:

Business Opportunities Seminar

MARCH Briefing on Fair Employment Business Continuity Management

Conference 2008 – Overcoming Global Risks & Threats of Business Continuity

Bintan Industrial Estate (BIE) Investment Seminar

Rise of the Golden Crescent – Doing Business in the Middle East

UK – Your Strategic Partner in Europe Singapore Brand Conference 2008 –

Differentiate or Sell cheap

APRIL ADR Training – Under the auspices of

the ICC ADR – Dispute Board – Expertise Services

The 4th Cambodia ICT & Telecommunications World Expo

Arbitration Day: Hearing and Deliberation – Under the auspices of the ICC Institute of World Business Law

B4E – Business for the Environment Global Summit 2008

Business Matching Session With Korean Companies from Chungnam Province

Introduction To Climate Change And Carbon Trading

MAY Vietnam ICT For SMEs Clean Energy Seminar 2008

Vietnam Medi-Pharm 2008 – The 15th Vietnam International Exhibition on Products, Equipment, Supplies for Pharmaceutical, Medical, Hospital and Rehabilitation

The Standard Chartered SME Summit – Strategizing your Business Growth: Underlying Risks in Asia Pacific

“Governing for Sustainability – A Hungarian Perspective on Climate Change, Environment and Responsibility for Future Generations”

Business Seminar by Embassy of Mongolia in Singapore

JULY Seminar on Essentials For Business Public Accountants Conference 2008 The Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2008 BlueSky Festival 2008 IE Singapore / UNPD: UNDP Seminar

on How to do Business with the United Nations

Do you want to enter the Beauty, Cosmetics or Spa & Wellness Market in China?

Business Opportunities in Romania

AUGUST TOP 50 BRANDS “Are Singapore Brands

Underperforming?” International Economic Forum Ukraine:

New Possibilities Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Certificate

Programme

SEPTEMBER ICC-SIAC Conference – Reflections on

Diverse Issues in International Arbitration (SBF is a Member of ICC National Committees in Singapore)

Briefing on Fair Employment

Workshop on An Overview of the Financial Reporting Framework in Singapore For Directors and Non-Accounting Managers

Indonesia – Projects Briefing and Investment Facilitation

Briefing on the Proposed Amendments to the Employment Act

Hands-On Workshop on Preparation of Financial Statements Using FS Manager

Latin Asia Business (LAB) Forum 2008 SBF Workshop on Letters of Credit –

An in-depth Understanding for Importers & Exporters

SBF Forum “ASEAN Economic Community 2015” – “How will Singapore businesses benefit from ASEAN Economic Community?”

HRM Workshop: Designing & Planning Employee Benefits

SME Financial Series 2008 Mentorship Programme: Cashflow Management Improvement

Briefing Session on “Doing Business in Brazil”

HRM Workshop: Avoid Hiring the Wrong Employee

Business Solutions Series: How Trade Solutions Can Support Your Business

HRM Workshop: Managing Performance Appraisal at the Workplace

Re-Branding Out of Trouble SBF Seminar on Vietnam Taxation

& Legal Issues SBF-SPRING SME Financial

Management Series: Managing Risk in a Volatile Environment for SMEs

OCTOBER Corporate Social Responsibilities(CSR) In

Singapore – Moving Forward Seminar

Seminar on Supply Chain Management Risk

Pre-Budget Dialogue Session on Budget 2009


Business Matching Session With Vietnamese Companies

Workshop on UCP 600 & ISBP 2007 by Pavel Andrle – New tools and solutions for International Trade Finance

Essentials for Business HRM Workshop: Termination and

Dismissal Issues SME Customer Service Seminar “Build A

Superior Service Culture for Sustainable Competitive Advantage™” With Ron Kaufman

SBF Workshop on Letters of Credit – An in-depth understanding for Importers & Exporters

Creating a World Class Organisation in Challenging Times

Briefing on the Amendments to the Employment Act

SBF-SPRING SME Financial Management Series: Practical Measures for SMEs During Turbulent Times

HRM Workshop: Writing the Employee Handbook

DECEMBER Democratic People’s Republic of

Korea Seminar Briefing on the Amendments to

the Employment Act (Rerun) Closed Door Dialogue Session between

Government and the Business Community SICCI-CII Business Forum ‘Corporate India: Challenges & Opportunities’

Briefing on the Enhanced Marriage & Parenthood Package (Re-Run)

SBF Workshop on Incoterms 2000 Business Outlook & Sentiments Series:

Forecasts for Q4 & 2009 CEO Breakfast Talk: Seduced by Success:

How the Best Companies Survive the 9 Traps of Winning

HRM Workshop: Employment Contract Issues

SBF-TP Clean Energy Test-bedding Community (CETC) Business Facilitation Series “Clean Energy Solutions for Green Building & Facilities Management”


HRM Workshop: Workforce Streamlining, Redundancy & Retrenchment Issues

Post-Mission Information Series: Spotlight on Doing Business in Libya

SBF Workshop on Understanding the UCP 600 & ISBP 2007

Navigating India’s Booming Economy – Opportunities for SMEs in the Food & Beverage Sector; Pioneering Business in Northeast India


HRM Workshop: Understanding the Singapore Employment Act & Its Key Provisions

SBF Workshop on Incoterms 2000

NOVEMBER “The Business Case For Sustainability –

A New Zealand Perspective” Distinguished Lecture 2008: “CSR as a

Competitive Advantage: the Fuji Xerox Experience” Mr. Toshio Arima, Former President and Executive Corporate Advisor of Fuji Xerox Co. Ltd & UN Global Compact Board Member



MOUs signed in 2008

JANUARY Qatari Businessmen Association

FEBRUARY The Confederation of Finnish

Industries EK The Federation of Industries of

the State of São Paulo

MAY The Libyan Businessmen Council (LBC)

AUGUST The General Authority for Investment

and Free Zones (GAFI) Egypt

SEPTEMBER The China Council for the Promotion of

International Trade (CCPIT) Guangdong The Federation of Industries of Rio

Grande do Sul (FIERGS)

DECEMBER The Democratic People’s Republic

of Korea Chamber of Commerce (DPRK Chamber of Commerce)

Overseas Business Missions

JANUARY Business Mission to Qatar & United

Arab Emirates

MARCH Business Mission to Batam and

Bintan – Special Economic Zone

APRIL SBF Business Mission To Vietnam

(Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh) SBF Business Mission to Jaipur,

Rajasthan, India (In conjunction with the Great Indian Travel Bazaar 2008)

Business Mission to Chongqing & Wuhan

MAY SBF Business Mission To Libya SBF Business Mission to Malaysia

(Selangor & Negeri Sembilan)

JUNE Singapore Business Mission to India

NOVEMBER Business Mission to Indonesia

(Jakarta & Bekasi)

DECEMBER 23rd International Autumn Trade

Fair 2008, Dubai

AUGUST Visit by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin,

Minister of International Trade & Industry Delegation from Iran Delegation from Oman Delegation from Nanjing Audit University

SEPTEMBER Courtesy Call by the Israeli Ambassador

to Singapore Delegation from Hangzhou led by

Vice Mayor Delegation from Guangdong Province

led by President of CCPIT

OCTOBER Visit by Crown Prince of Bahrain, H.H.

Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa Delegation from Ghana Delegation from the International

Research Committee, Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences

Networking Session with Russian SEZ Delegates

Delegation from Libya Courtesy call by the Ukrainian

Chamber of Commerce

NOVEMBER Delegation from New Zealand Delegation from Vietnam’s Leading

Business Club Delegation from Ningbo City Courtesy call by CEO of the

Hungarian Investment and Trade Development Agency

Delegation from IT IS, MFA and Korea International Cooperation Agency

DECEMBER Visit by Democratic Peoples’ Republic

of Korea Foreign Trade Minister, Mr. Ri Ryong Nam

Visits Hosted by SBF

JANUARY Visit by Stanford Graduate School

of Business Delegation led by Vice Director Wang

Yun Hua, Shandong Province’s Weifang Economic Development Area (WEDA)

Visit by Ms Yasmeen Mohammed Al-Awadhi, Assistant Deputy Minister of Housing Sector, Republic of Yemen

Visit by Mr. Assem Regab, Chairman, General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI)

Delegation from 3rd Expo Central China Organizing Committee led by Deputy Director Wang Bisheng, Hebei Dept of Commerce

Delegation from Qingdao Feiyang Vocation and Technical College

Delegation from National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the APEC SME Technology Conference and Fair Organizing Committee led by NDRC Division Chief Mr. Huang Dianwen

FEBRUARY Business roundtable with visiting Finnish

Minister for Foreign Trade & Development, Mr. Paavo Vayrynen, and accompanying business delegation

Visit by H.E. Ambassador Celso Amorim, Minister of External Relations of Brazil and business delegation re “Brazil – The Next Leap” seminar

MARCH Dialogue with Mr. Youssouf Bakayoko,

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cote d’Ivoire Courtesy call by Ambassador of Sudan

to Singapore Courtesy call by Charge d’Affaires,

Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina Meeting with Ministry for Small and

Medium Size Enterprises, Commerce, Tourism and Liberal Professions, Romania

Business matching session with visiting Korean companies

APRIL Courtesy call by Ambassador of Turkey

to Singapore Visit by delegation from Fujian Foreign

Trade & Economic Cooperation Dept Meeting with President of Italy’s

Motorcycles and Motocycle Parts Manufacturers’ Association

MAY Meeting with the delegation from

Bai Se, Guangxi Autonomous Region, China

Meeting with delegation from Kunshan, Jiangsu led by Mr. Feng Hui Qing, Deputy Chairman of Kunshan Trade Union Federation

Delegation from Russia Delegation from Mongolia Delegation led by Mr. Ye Rongzhong,

Deputy Director of Foreign Affairs Office from Ningbo, China

JUNE Delegation from Guangdong

Department of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (DOFTEC) led by Wu Jun, Deputy Director-General

Delegation from Hong Kong and Macau

Dialogue Session with H.E. Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Governor of the Osun State of Nigeria

Visit from the 5th CAEXPO Organising Committee to Singapore

Delegation from Jiujiang, Jiangxi led by Jiujiang Mayor Ms Wang Ping

JULY Delegation from Romania’s

government agencies, state-owned enterprises and businesses

Dialogue with African Leaders and Policy Makers

Courtesy call by Mrs. Norica Nicolai, Vice-President of the Upper House of Parliament, Romania

Delegation from the China – ASEAN Business and Investment Summit (CABIS) Organising Committee

Spa Symposium 2008 REDAS’ 49th Anniversary

Dinner 2008 Seminar On Investment and Market

Opportunties/Korean Start-up and Pre-IPO Companies

Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Certificate Programme

DECEMBER Briefing on Fair Employment SICCI-DBS Singapore-India

Business Award (SIBA) 2008 Presentation Ceremony & SICCI-CII Business Forum ‘Corporate India: Challenges & Opportunities’

Global Financial Crisis: Challenges and Opportunities for SMEs

Global Business Outlook for 2009 Conference



This page is intentionally left blank.

Singapore Business Federation

10 Hoe Chiang Road #22-01 Keppel Towers

Singapore 089315

Tel: +65 6827 6828 Fax: +65 6827 6807

www.sbf.org.sg

geared up for the challengedownload.sbf.org.sg/sbfannualreport/sbfannualreport2008.pdfDevelopers’...

Documents

Transcript of geared up for the challengedownload.sbf.org.sg/sbfannualreport/sbfannualreport2008.pdfDevelopers’...