Question

Ms See Jinli Jean: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry in respect of the Ministry’s marketing plans to promote Singapore as a culinary capital, whether the Ministry will consider strengthening the uniquely Singaporean element via support schemes for marketing and rental that will encourage more local culinary professionals to establish their food and beverage businesses in Government-led space rejuvenation projects.

Written Answer by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong

1.            The Government collaborates with partners to provide platforms for local F&B businesses to showcase their brands. Enterprise Singapore supports annual food-related MICE shows in Singapore, namely the Food and Hotel Asia (FHA), Restaurant Asia and SIGEP Asia. These shows provide an opportunity for our local food companies to network and profile their brand to an international audience. The Singapore Tourism Board also organises the Singapore Food Festival annually to celebrate our local food, culture, and culinary talents.

2.            In addition, Enterprise Singapore has programmes to support companies, including local food companies, to grow, transform and internationalise. The FoodVentures is a structured end-to-end internationalisation programme for progressive food services companies. Companies can also tap on the Market Readiness Assistance Grant to defray the costs of overseas market promotion, business development, and set-up; and the Productivity Solutions Grant and Enterprise Development Grant to grow and transform their businesses.

3.            We generally do not provide support schemes for rental costs to avoid distorting market prices.