EMPOWERING BUSINESSES FOR TOMORROW

Annual Genera lMeet ing 2020

3 0 J u n e 2 0 2 0

As of Dec 2019, SBF represents 27,200

companies as well as local and foreign

chambers and key national industry

associations from business sectors that

contribute significantly to Singapore’s

economy.

Top 5 Industries

✓ Wholesale Trade

✓ Financial and Insurance

✓ Manufacturing

✓ Professional Services

✓ Construction & Civil Engineering

Wholesale Trade21%

Other Financial and Insurance Activities

15%

Manufacturing12%Professional Services

9%

Construction and Civil Engineering

8%

IT and Related Services6%

Logistics and Transportation

5%

Banking and Insurance5%

Administrative & Support Service

Activities4%

Retail Trade3%

Real Estate Activities3%

Hotels, Restaurants & Accommodation

3%

1%1%

Education1%

1%

0.5 to 1.0

million

1 to 5 million

5 to 10 million

10 million and

above

Our Members

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2019 Year in Review – Empowering Businesses for Success

27,149SBF

Members

53,972Participants

Engaged

616Events & Activities

29Outgoing Missions

40Incoming

Delegations

2019 in Numbers

2019 Key Initiatives:Strengthening Businesses

Taking on Inequality with Sustainable

EmploymentEight months in the making, this report is the culmination of the insights and feedback of over

300 business leaders.

Strengthening Businesses

On 22 November, close to 200 business leaders and industry

stakeholders attended the Sustainable Employment Conference.

Guest of Honour President Mdm Halimah Yacob launched the

Sustainable Employment Pledge alongside 20 companies. To date, more than 130 companies have

pledged.

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Budget 2019 Dialogues Business Sentiments

Strengthening Businesses

SMEC’s Budget recommendations focused on transformation and growth. Post-Budget briefings

provided insight to the implications and provisions of the Budget.

Dialogues between the business community and political leaders,

senior decision-makers and various key business stakeholders

Conducted research and surveys to measure and assess business

sentiments on a range of issues, as well as seminars on business outlook

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2019 Key Initiatives:Broadening Horizons

The fifth edition of the annual ASEAN Conference saw the launch of the SBF BusinessASEAN Network. More than 500 business

leaders and experts gathered to discuss the

future of ASEAN.

Broadening Horizons: Flagship Events

On its third year, Digitize ASEAN pushed for stronger collaboration

between governments, businesses and the workforce. The ASEAN Applied Research

Centre was also launched.

The fifth edition of the Singapore Regional

Business Forum focused on strengthening the

success of cross-border projects like the BRI. It

was followed by the inaugural Singapore

Regional Infrastructure Summit.

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Broadening Horizons: High-Level Missions

In conjunction with PM Lee’s participation in the Belt & Road Forum for International Cooperation, SBF led a

business delegation of eight business leaders to Beijing, China. SBF Chairman Mr S.S. Teo also delivered a speech at

the inaugural Belt and Road CEO Conference.

Inaugural Business Mission to Russia

In conjunction with the 10th Inter-Governmental Commission between

Singapore and Russia, the mission had 12 delegates exchanging views with top Government leaders from Singapore.

A business delegation to Vietnam called on the Prime Minister of

Vietnam and senior government officials, aside from exploring business opportunities in the

country. The Vietnam-Singapore Business Council was also

launched.

Business Delegation to China

Business Delegation to Vietnam

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Broadening Horizons: Trade Shows

2nd CIIESBF led a larger and more

diverse delegation in 2019 to the China International Import

Expo. Twenty-six MoUs, valued at $260 million, were

also signed between Singapore and Chinese

enterprises at the Singapore-China Trade & Investment

Forum.

The 16th China-ASEAN Expo promoted Singapore’s

strategic role as a regional connector for trade and commerce. The various

Pavilions highlighted Singapore’s innovation

expertise across sectors.

CAEXPO

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Broadening Horizons: Incoming Delegations

Held in conjunction with the state visit of the King of Jordan, the Roundtable had business

representatives of both countries identifying areas of cooperation. Six MoUs were also signed

between Singapore and Jordanian companies.

Singapore-Jordan Business Roundtable

Organised in conjunction with the state visit of the President of Turkmenistan, the Forum explored emerging opportunities in

sectors like oil and gas, construction and agriculture. Nine agreements were inked, including an MoU between SBF and the

Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan.

Singapore-Turkmenistan Business Forum

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2019 Key Activities:Gearing Up for the Future

Boosting Business Transformation

Future Economy Conference & Exhibition

Gearing Up for the Future

SBF-SMEs Go Digital Industry Forums focus on logistics, retail, wholesale and security sectors, with support of various trade associations. Participants go

through the Industry Transformation and Digital Maps, and have one-to-one

consultation clinics.

This initiative, including the SBF-SMEs Go Digital “Leaders for

Transformation” Series is led by the SBF Digitalisation

Committee.

The third FECE explored how technology is reshaping business models, jobs and how

stronger linkages should be forged between tech adoption, job redesign and upskilling of

employees.

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Professional Conversion Programme – South East

Asia Ready Talents

FTA Education & Outreach

Gearing Up for the Future

Since the PCP-SEA was launched in 2018, over 140 companies have benefited with more than 200

candidates matched to vacancies largely in wholesale trade. The

Programme was extended due to overwhelming response.

To help businesses leverage FTAs to internationalise, SBF set up an FTA Education & Outreach arm to raise awareness and educate Singapore

businesses on FTAs.

Inaugural Strategic Planning Session for

TACsOver 70 leaders from more than 40 trade

associations and chambers deep-dived into pertinent issues such as internationalisation, innovation and digitalisation as well as how TACs need to transform to stay relevant for

the future.

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2019 Highlights:Advocating Inclusivity & Sustainability

SBF Foundation (SBFF) Global Compact Network Singapore (GCNS)

Advocating Inclusivity & Sustainability

SBFF engaged seven partners and disbursed $4.03 million to programmes that support over 1,000

individuals including the homeless, persons with disabilities, youths-at-risk and students from low—

income families.

Through various platforms for multi-stakeholder engagement and collective action, GCNS advances the stewardship of sustainable business practices

through programmes like the annual GCNS Summit, GCNC Youth Forum, CEO Roundtable and Singapore Apex Corporate Sustainability Awards Gala Dinner.

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Helping Businesses Meet the Chal lenges of COVID -19 & Emerge Stronger

Resilience Diversification

Manpower & Jobs

TransformationHelp & Support

Innovation

Our Priorities Now

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SBF Surveys Dialogues with the Government

Acting as the Voice of Businesses & TACs

SBF takes a proactive approach in regularly seeking insights and opinions from the business community. Several surveys were conducted over the past few months, especially in view of COVID-19, for ground

sensing of sentiments and challenges. Our Government recognises these as useful inputs to the

formulation of their policies, programmes & assistance measures. We also use these as inputs to

shape our activities to help businesses.

SBF business leaders actively dialogue with our Government to provide feedback from businesses. Our

Government values this. Feedback from SBF has contributed to several support measures introduced by the

Government on COVID-19.

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Fair Tenancy International Advocacy

Acting as the Voice of Businesses & TACs

SBF’s SMEC supports the Fair Tenancy Framework Industry Committee’s

(FTFIC) recommendation to address the imbalance in the relationship between institutional landlords and tenants. The

FTFIC put forward a position paper listing 15 key recommendations to

MinLaw and MTI on 21 May.

Advocacy efforts on trade and investment were made on five key international business platforms,

namely APEC, ASEAN BAC, B20, WTO and ICC. They focused on COVID-19-related recommendations and the importance of a trade facilitative

environment.

Polls with TACsSBF conducted polls with TACs on

various issues – holding AGMs during COVID-19, impact of COVID-19 and

challenges faced. Results of the latter were shared with ESG. SBF has also

appealed to government agencies to extend rental relief measures to all

TACs.

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Recommendations for

Fair Tenancy Legislation

COVIDBiz Helpline Business Matching Service

Addressing Business Concerns

The Helpline is an additional avenue for companies to get help in navigating COVID-19-related

government advisories, the various grants and measures introduced, and seek advisory on border

restrictions, business support measures and movement of goods in key markets globally. As of 24

June, SBF attended to 1,065 enquiries.

Launched on 13 April, the Service connects Singapore companies with suppliers, domestically and overseas.

As of 24 June, it has successfully matched 117 suppliers to 36 buyers.

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SBF ManpowerConnect SGUnited Jobs Initiative

Manpower & Jobs

Jointly launched by SBF and MOM to help companies better manage their

manpower needs by connecting companies with excess manpower to

companies facing shortage of manpower. As of 24 June, SBF has

connected close to 2,000 companies and facilitated the transfer of almost

1,500 WPHs.

The Government introduced this initiative to help about 100,000

Singaporeans access job opportunities. SBF will help to match the demand and supply of manpower for Singaporeans and PRs & reach out to TACs to collaborate. As of 24 June,

SBF has received 1,944 surplus workers from 213 companies and

2,141 vacancies from 57 companies.

SGUnited TraineeshipsSBF is the programme manager for

the SGUnited Traineeships Programme. It is meant to support our fresh graduates and boost their

employability. As of 24 June, close to 750 companies have been approved to provide traineeships for more than

7,000 vacancies.

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BCP ConnectBusiness Resilience

Advisory Programme

Building Business Resilience & Facilitating Transformation

The Programme aims to help business leaders deal with the present crisis

and equip them for the future, through a series of webinars and

advisory sessions, as well as a number of free clinics on key topics. SBF

members are eligible for RISE Fund support of up to $500 to offset costs.

Industry 4.0 Human Capital Initiative

IHCI is the first programme in Singapore dedicated to equipping

companies with people management and job redesign skills required for

successful Industry 4.0 transformation. This programme is

targeted at manufacturing companies. More than 20 companies have started

the programme. The IHCI self-help portal went live in May.

Supported by ESG, SBF is working to launch a series of business

continuity planning (BCP) programmes aimed at helping companies build up internal

capabilities in BCM systems, risk management, and emergency

management.

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Going Global

SBF, in partnership with Enterprise Singapore, set up GlobalConnect@SBF to be the partner for Singapore companies looking to expand overseas. With a focus on ASEAN, frontier and emerging markets, FTA education and outreach, and markets along the Belt and Road, GlobalConnect@SBF

supports companies’ business expansion plans to new markets.

Topical research and case studies are also be developed to help companies looking to internationalise.

Attended to 191 enquiries

Assisted 110 companies

Two companies successfully expanded

overseas

Organised 38 webinars

Engaged 4,003 participants

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ASEAN China & North Asia

Going Global: What’s Next

One-to-one consultation and advisory sessions with market specialists for

Indonesia and Vietnam are ongoing. SBF intends to set up overseas

presence in Ho Chi Minh and Jakarta in Q3/Q4 2020. We are also looking for dedicated personnel for Thailand and

Myanmar markets.

SBF launched the “China Economic Outlook Webinar Series” to provide

updates on China’s economic situation post-COVID-19. Webinars on the

infrastructure sector are also ongoing. The BRI Connect Portal is expected to

launch in Nov 2020. A BRI Regional Business Survey will also be

conducted in Q3 2020.

AEMEAThe team has been organising various

webinars focusing on emerging markets like Africa and the Middle East. These sessions provide insight to the impact

of COVID-19 on the global business landscape and potential opportunities. An upcoming FYIstival for the African region is being planned for Q3 2020.

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SBF-YBLN Hope Fund SBF RISE Fund

Driving Funding Support

SBF set up a $2.5 million Rising in Support of Enterprises (RISE) Fund in

June. SBF members with a share capital not exceeding $5 million, can

apply for support of up to $500 to offset costs of a wide range of

qualifying activities conducted by SBF, its programme partners, and other

TACs.

SBFF Compassion FundSBF Foundation will provide $2 million

in funding to enable TACs and their members to set up their industry-led Compassion Funds to help employees

in need. SBFF will match dollar for dollar up to $200K per TAC. Six TACs will set up their respective Funds,

while another six will support to raise funds.

YBLN collaborated with Goldbell Evolutionary Network to provide

SMEs access to short-term working capital loans. SMEs could draw down

on a seed fund of S$5 million and receive $50k within 48 hours if their applications were approved. Loans

were disbursed to close to 50 companies.

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Thank you for your support!