Budget 2016: Government seeks Singaporeans' views, suggestions

THE Ministry of Finance (MOF) is seeking views and suggestions from all Singaporeans in preparation for Budget 2016, which will be presented by Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat in parliament on March 24.

"Individuals, households, and businesses are welcome to provide feedback on issues such as how we can best develop Singaporeans and help local companies grow through innovation and internationalisation," the ministry said in a release on Sunday.

It added that it has launched the Budget 2016 website (www.singaporebudget.gov.sg), through which the public can access the latest updates on Budget 2016, as well as general information on the Singapore national budget process.

The website features the new Budget logo, which is designed by a local Polytechnic student.

Starting from Feb 1, 2016, interested contributors can visit the Reach Pre-Budget 2016 microsite (www.reach.gov.sg/Budget2016) to submit their views online.

The Budget feedback exercise will close on Feb 26.

In addition, MOF and Reach will stage three Pre-Budget 2016 Listening Points across Singapore from Feb 17 to 21. The Listening Points are centrally located open booths for all Singaporeans to share their views.

Reach will host a Pre-Budget Conversation on Feb 17, where members of the public will discuss their suggestions for the coming Budget.

The conversation will be graced by Senior Minister of State for Finance & Law Indranee Rajah and Reach chairman Sam Tan.

MOH said Reach will also host a Pre-Budget Facebook Q&A session on Feb 22, from 12.30pm to 2.00pm. The Q&A will be chaired by Liang Eng Hwa, chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Finance and Trade and Industry, and Sun Xueling, a member of the Committee.

Members of the public are welcome to join the "live" Q&A session on Reach's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/REACHSingapore).