Embargoed until Monday, 18 June 2012, 4.15pm
18 June 2012
Media Release: NR/14/2012
Free Business Advice for SMEs in the Heartlands
1. SMEs in the North Eastern part of Singapore can now get free business advice at the Enterprise Development Centre at North East (EDC@NorthEast). The EDC@NorthEast is a collaboration between the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (ASME) and the North East Community Development Council (NECDC) with the support of SPRING Singapore. The EDC@NorthEast was launched today by Mr Teo Ser Luck, Mayor of North East District.
2. The EDC@NorthEast, a satellite of the EDC@ASME, started operations on 1 June. It aims to assist small businesses in the North East District to upgrade by making it more convenient for them to seek help, including access to government assistance schemes. The services provided will be more targeted and designed for the smaller SMEs.
3. “As we talk and listen to the business owners on the ground in the course of the EDC@ASME’s work, we recognise the need for business guidance in the heartlands of Singapore, where many SMEs reside. Many smaller-sized businesses have low knowledge of the various grants designed to help them and thus are unable to take full advantage of the schemes laid out,” said Mr Chan Chong Beng, President, ASME.
4. The EDC@NorthEast, located at the NECDC’s Tampines headquarters, is open from Monday to Friday, except on public holidays, from 1pm to 5pm. There will be two business advisors, who will attend to both pre-arranged appointments and walk-in requests of SME owners and entrepreneurs in the North East District.
5. For SMEs who are unable to meet for consultations in the day due to work commitments, the business advisors will be available from 7pm to 9.30pm at five selected Community Centres from Tampines GRC, Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC and Aljunied GRC. Business advisory at the Community Centres are by appointment only. The EDC@NorthEast aims to reach more than 700 SMEs annually.
6. “Small businesses such as heartland shops, stalls, etc are an integral part of our community. Through this initiative, we hope to create a collaborative framework where we can help local merchants understand and tap on various government schemes as well as to help job seekers match with small businesses looking for manpower through our Job Placement Centres. This increases the employment opportunities within the district, with the added benefit of residents spending less time and money travelling for work. It is a win-win situation for both businesses looking to fill job vacancies and residents seeking employment,” said Mr Teo Ser Luck, Mayor, North East District.
7. “We are pleased that ASME and NECDC have jointly set up the EDC@NorthEast. SMEs in the North East District and its vicinity can now turn to the EDC@NorthEast for advice on how to improve and grow their businesses, as well as find out more information on the government assistance schemes,” said Mr Png Cheong Boon, Chief Executive, SPRING Singapore.
8. The five EDCs located at the Chinese, Indian and Malay chambers of commerce, ASME and the Singapore Manufacturers’ Federation provide free business and productivity advice to SMEs. The EDCs are part of the EnterpriseOne initiative managed by SPRING Singapore. In 2011, the EDCs reached out to about 15,500 SMEs through providing one-to-one business and productivity advice and through productivity workshops and seminars.
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About SPRING Singapore
SPRING Singapore is an agency under the Ministry of Trade and Industry responsible for helping Singapore enterprises grow and building trust in Singapore products and services. As the enterprise development agency, SPRING works with partners to help enterprises in financing, capability and management development, technology and innovation, and access to markets. As the national standards and accreditation body, SPRING develops and promotes an internationally-recognised standards and quality assurance infrastructure. SPRING also oversees the safety of general consumer goods in Singapore.
Please visit www.spring.gov.sg for more information and news about SPRING Singapore.
About Association of Small and Medium Enterprises
The Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (ASME) is a not-for-profit organisation established in 1986 for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs. With wide-ranging services and programmes, ASME strives to equip member SMEs with the business knowledge and market opportunities to help them grow their businesses.
ASME, as the champion of a pro-enterprise Singapore, bridges the public and the privates sectors to promote a more conducive business environment which facilitates the start-up, growth and development of a larger pool of SMEs. The two ASME flagship awards - The Entrepreneur of the Year Award and Singapore Prestige Brand Awards are in recognition of SMEs successes.
ASME will continue to roll out new SME-relevant programmes to enhance its position as the business association For Entrepreneurs, By Entrepreneurs.
About North East Community Development Council
Set up in 1997, North East Community Development Council serves a population of over 800,000 residents in three Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) and two Single Member Constituencies (SMCs). They are Aljunied, Pasir Ris – Punggol, Tampines GRCs, Hougang and Punggol East SMCs. NECDC administers financial and employment assistance to residents in need as well as works closely with community and corporate partners to plan outreach programmes to promote bonding and social cohesion. NECDC is headed by Mayor Teo Ser Luck.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Marion Abraham
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
SPRING Singapore
Direct: 6279 3617
Mobile: 9750 2903
E-mail: marion_abraham@spring.gov.sg
Justin Shen
Corporate Communications & Member Relations Manager
Association of Small and Medium Enterprises
Direct: 6513 0347
E-mail: corpcomms@asme.org.sg
May Lum
Deputy General Manager (Corporate)
North East Community Council
Direct: 6424 4004
Mobile: 94316217
E-mail: may_lum@pa.gov.sg