TECH industry trade association SGTech has launched Smart Nation Colab, a year-long industry programme that will support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large enterprises to co-develop Smart Nation solutions.

The programme will rally technology, digital solutions providers, and consultants from SMEs and large enterprises, to establish partnerships and build capabilities for a Smart Nation. Its launch was announced at an industry event today (Jul 20) organised by SGTech’s Smart Nation Chapter, and graced by Senior Minister of State Tan Kiat How.

Tan said the government is committed to helping businesses transform through “significant investments in digital enablers” and in encouraging the adoption of digital tools and solutions.

“Partnerships of this nature collectively encourage innovation in the sector and help us shape the digital future of our nation,” he said.

In a press statement, SGTech said recent government-led Smart Nation initiatives have reinforced the need to build a digital economy, with businesses encouraged to integrate technology and solutions, such as data analytics, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things, into existing work processes and systems.

At the launch, SGTech made an open invitation to companies to participate in the Smart Nation Colab, either as problem owners or solution providers. To date, 16 companies have joined the programme as solution providers, including large enterprises Surbana Jurong and Huawei International, as well as SMEs such as Elixir Technology.

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Participants of the Smart Nation Colab must attend quarterly working sessions in the first year of the programme’s run. At these sessions, they can expect to share market knowledge, gain insights, as well as build relationships with business leaders and stakeholders to expand their network and businesses.

Participating solution providers will work together to offer problem owners a set of solutions on themes such as smart campus, smart industry, and net zero living.

Robin Li, vice president of Global Smart City Infrastructure at Envision Digital International, said digitalisation and decarbonisation are central to his firm’s net-zero business operating system.

“We’re not fast enough to fight climate challenges alone, so participating in the Smart Nation Colab allows us to team up with like-minded public agencies and private sector companies to collaborate, discover and engage together,” Li said.

Another SME participating in the Smart Nation Colab is Elixir Technology, which has been taking part in Smart Nation trial projects since 2014.

Said Lau Shih Hor, its co-founder and chief executive: “This alliance is a culmination of many years of SGTech’s Smart Nation initiatives, where key players in smart solutions can band together to provide end-to-end solutions to our country and beyond.”