AmCham Singapore launches SME ACCelerate business partnership programme

THE American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (AmCham Singapore) on Friday launched a business partnership programme to support Singapore-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The SME ACCelerate programme aims to support SMEs in achieving long-term growth by connecting them to American multinationals (MNCs) and AmCham members for learning and collaboration. The programme's support is categorised into four areas, namely mental well-being, women-led business, digitalisation and SME Connect & Learn.

Through this programme, both SME and MNC AmCham members will be able to discuss issues and solutions covering areas such as access to capital, government grant applications, accounting, finance and communications tactics.

AmCham Singapore chief executive officer Lei Hsien-Hsien said the chamber is committed to supporting the Singapore government's initiatives to strengthen SMEs, which make up nearly 40 per cent of AmCham Singapore's membership.

"The programme is designed to build and support an effective and accessible ecosystem by promoting deeper collaboration between MNCs and SMEs. We believe that SMEs can benefit from the experiences, processes and the global standing of MNCs whilst sharing innovative ideas," Dr Lei said.

The co-chairs of AmCham's SME committee - Andrew Wu, Jeff Paine and Von Leong - said in a collective statement that the SME ACCelerate programme's solutions can help Singapore SMEs seize and create growth opportunities that "go beyond the conventional constraints of their company's size".

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They urged MNCs and SMEs to participate in the programme, saying: "Joining hands with local entrepreneurs offers AmCham Singapore and its members a unique opportunity to better understand business challenges and to provide mutual help to entrepreneurs when and where it is needed the most."

Said Lam Yi Young, chief executive of the Singapore Business Federation: "I am heartened that AmCham is launching the SME ACCelerate business partnership programme to help SMEs build their core capabilities and position them for recovery and growth. I am confident that our SMEs will benefit from this programme, and we look forward to more opportunities to partner AmCham to support and help our members."

The programme was launched by Low Yen Ling, Minister of State for the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and starts this month. It is supported by AmCham Singapore members such as PayPal, P&G, Tricor, XCL Education, Abbott Laboratories, Klareco Communications and Finaxar.