​OPENING REMARKS BY MS SIM ANN, SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE, MINISTRY OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY & MINISTRY OF CULTURE, COMMUNITY AND YOUTH, AT THE SME CENTRES AND PARTNERS APPRECIATION DINNER, ON THURSDAY 1 SEPTEMBER 2016, 6.00PM, AT THE POD, NATIONAL LIBRARY

Presidents of the Trade Associations and Chambers,

Board of Directors of the SME Centres,

Business Advisors,

Friends from the 5 Community Development Councils and People’s Association,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening,

1.  I am delighted to join all of you at this evening’s SME Centres and Partners Appreciation Dinner.

2.  SMEs are an important pillar of our economy. Since the establishment of the SME Centre initiative in 2005, the number of SME Centres serving our SMEs has increased from 5 to the 12 SME Centres today. Outreach to SMEs has expanded significantly, from 9,600 SMEs served in 2013 to 25,000 in 2015. As the first stop for advice for SMEs, especially smaller and micro enterprises, SME Centres are key partners in helping SMEs on their productivity and growth journeys, by providing one-on-one business diagnosis, enabling SMEs to plan their upgrading efforts and tap on available Government assistance schemes. In addition, by organising capability workshops, the SME Centres help SMEs build networks and learn from best practices.

 3.  As co-lead of the SME deep dive under the Committee on the Future Economy, I have had the privilege of working with some of you here today, and I have a deep appreciation of the work that you do to help the ready to grow. I would like to encourage you to continue to stay abreast of the latest business trends and developments in order to respond effectively to the needs of SMEs. I look forward to working with more of you in the future in my new role at the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

4.  Thank you once again for your hard work and continued support.