Services for SMEs to remain amid Spring, IE Singapore merger: Sim Ann

THE SINGAPORE government will ensure that services provided to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) remain when it merges Spring Singapore and IE Singapore into a single business-focused agency called Enterprise Singapore, Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Sim Ann said on Friday.

During a panel discussion at the SME Convention 2017 organised by the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) on Friday, Ms Sim, who is also Senior Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth, said: "We are very cognisant of the wishes and the expectations that the business community has communicated to us.

"We want to ensure that the formation takes place smoothly. In the process of doing this merger, we will ensure that services to our SMEs remain."

Ms Sim is also the adviser to the SBF-led SME Committee, which gives a platform to SMEs to discuss and analyse business issues with policymakers.

One key feature of the convention was the release of a government procurement (GP) business guide that aims to help SMEs leverage growth opportunities in GP projects.

Put together by the GP working group of the SME Committee, the guide outlines steps for businesses keen on tendering for government contracts. This includes giving ways on how companies can maximise their competitive advantage and what they should do before the bidding process for tenders.

Firms are encouraged to attend relevant government procurement fairs and clinics to be familiar with procurement processes and opportunities. The guide also encourages firms to request feedback from the procuring agency if the bid was unsuccessful.