Question

Ms Faizah Jamal: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry in view of EDB’s aim to make Singapore a hub for non-profit organisations (a) how many Singaporeans are given employment by international non-profit environment/conservation organisations set up locally; (b) which organisations are these and what sort of training to Singaporeans has been provided by such organisations; and (c) whether EDB monitors and ensures that Singaporeans are given such employment.

Written Reply by Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr Lim Hng Kiang

1.     EDB aims to grow the presence of international non-profit organisations, or INPOs, in Singapore. This is part of our efforts to make Singapore a vibrant global city. Cities such as New York and Geneva differentiate themselves from their competitors by hosting organisations like the United Nations and the World Trade Organisation. Singapore also hopes to serve as a base for INPOs to deliver their programmes to the region and beyond – fulfilling our role as a responsible stakeholder of the international community. 

2.     In these respects, we have succeeded in securing global mindshare over the past few years – anchoring blue-chip names such as the World Bank, the International Air Transport Association, the World Wide Fund for Nature, Save the Children and Conservation International to set up regional representative offices. Between 2007 and 2011, the number of INPOs based in Singapore rose from 48 to 135.

3.     This has translated to healthy economic spin-offs for Singapore. Between 2007 and 2011, the annual total business spending incurred by INPOs went up from $145 million to $380 million. The number of jobs rose from 470 to 1,630.

4.     A number of Singaporeans occupy senior management positions in INPOs based here. Examples include the Chief Executive Officer of the World Wide Fund for Nature Singapore, the Chief Operating Officer of Asia Venture Philanthropy Network, and the Executive Director of Charities Aid Foundation Southeast Asia. But we aspire to do even better.

5.     To prepare Singaporeans for leadership positions in the non-profit sector, we are working with various partners to grow local expertise. In collaboration with MCYS and the Singapore Totalisator Board, the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy offers a course on “Non-Profit Management Programme for the 21st Century”. We are heartened that INPOs provide support for many of such training programmes. For instance, Ashoka Foundation and Special Olympics help deliver certain modules in the “iLEAP[1] Professional Course for Non-Profit Leaders” offered by the SMU Lien Centre for Social Innovation. In so doing, they share with course participants valuable insights distilled from their experience on the ground.      

6.     Moving forward, we will continue to work on securing Singapore’s position as the regional base for INPOs, bringing in more INPO jobs that Singaporeans find desirable, and equipping them with the requisite skills to fill these jobs.