Heartland enterprises get space to test innovative ideas under new programme
Chong Xin Wei
A NEW Heartland Innovation and Transformation (HIT) Programme will provide curated training courses and affordable spaces where neighbourhood enterprises can try out product or business model innovations.
Such innovation “will boost the revenue of heartland shops and attract more footfall to the heartlands”, said Minister of State for Trade and Industry Low Yen Ling during the ministry’s Committee of Supply debate on Tuesday (Feb 28).
The 12-month HIT programme will be launched in the second half of 2023. Participating enterprises can test new business ideas in “modular temporary spaces” in mature heartland precincts, with a pilot at Ang Mo Kio Town Centre.
Another option is the direct allocation of shop spaces through the Housing and Development Board’s Enhanced Entrepreneur Scheme, to be rented at valuer-assessed market rent with a 10 per cent discount on the first term of the three-year tenancy, said Enterprise Singapore in a media release.
Participants can attend innovation and entrepreneurship courses conducted by institutes of higher learning (IHLs) and the Heartland Enterprise Centre, Singapore. They will also get opportunities to learn from successful entrepreneurs who are familiar with the heartlands, merchants’ associations and grassroots communities, said Low.
Separately, heartland shops will continue to get help to digitalise. The Heartlands Go Digital programme, launched in 2020 to encourage e-payment and other digital commerce solutions, will move into its third phase.
Heartlands Go Digital 3.0 will have new private sector and IHL partners, so heartland shops can deepen capabilities in areas such as digital marketing and visual merchandising.
Separately, a new Digital Transformation Programme will be launched this year for small and medium-sized enterprises. It will help them develop their digital transformation roadmap, curate technology solutions and provide access to training support.
Driven by industry body SGTech, it is an example of how trade associations and chambers are supporting industry development, said Low.
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