Media Division, Ministry of Information and The Arts, 36th Storey, PSA Building, 460 Alexandra Road, Singapore 119963. Tel: 3757794/5
SPEECH BY MR YATIMAN YUSOF, SENIOR PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND THE ARTS, AT THE LAUNCHING OF THE INAUGURAL ISSUE OF THE SINGAPORE MUSLIM TRADE & BUSINESS DIRECTORY AT PLAZA HOTEL ON SATURDAY, 19 JUL 97 AT 2.45 PM
I am honoured to be with you today on the occasion of the launching of the Singapore Muslim Trade & Business Directory.
I would like to thank the SSA Media for their kind invitation to me. I congratulate the SSA Media for their initiative in publishing this Directory that is tailored to the needs of the Muslim business community and consumers alike both locally and overseas. I am confident that this Directory will serve as useful guide for them and also will act as a window for the promotion of their products and services.
To remain ahead in a very competitive market and to retain our competitive edge, our entrepreneurs will have to scour the world for new ideas, apply the latest technology and acquire the knowhow. In Singapore, such endeavour is not without advantage. Through SingaporeOne the government has actually created the necessary environment for the benefit of our local entrepreneurs.
As a communication hub, Singapore can position itself as a major network and create the opportunity for comprehensive and extensive downstream electronic facilities for our use. Entrepreneurs can use such position to provide information on products, processes and services available not only for the region but also worldwide. In a competitive world, those who gear themselves to maximise their business potential will get way ahead in the race.
As we regionalise and as we become more active in participating in the global economy, the availability of new tools are becoming even more critical. Regionalisation and globalisation also mean that the business arena is opened to all -- Muslim and non-Muslim. Muslim businessmen are not only competing among themselves but others from the region and the world.
The setting up of Singapore Muslim Trade and Business Directory is both an opportunity and a challenge to our businessmen. It is an opportunity because by appearing in the Directory, our businessmen actually advertise the goods and services offered. But that is not all, you have to respond and do the necessary follow-up effectively and skilfully before the efforts can bring in the desired results. Herewith lies the challenge.
The Directory is a window for you to reach the world and it is also a window for entrepreneurs all over the world to reach you. By offering useful information and ready contacts, the Directory helps them to venture abroad and invite others to do business with our local entrepreneurs.
Muslim businesses, local or otherwise, must realise by now, the synergistic power of working closely with each other. It is very encouraging to note that there is finally a publication that you can look to, when the need arises.
I hope, and would like to see this Directory being used to its maximum potential and, in the process, contribute towards the economic growth of Singapore and the region.
Finally, I believe and know that our entrepreneurs out there, big or small, young or old, will take advantage of this opportunity to provide that quantum leap in your business. It would be heartening to see a new development springing/branching up from within the Muslim business community and with the resource and guide you can get from this Directory, I hope to, one day, see the number of notable Muslim businesses on the scale that we can truly be proud of.
* * *