In his Budget 2019 speech, Singapore Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat shared new ways that Singapore would help the more than 200,000 enterprises in the country thrive, beginning with helping startups scale.
Deep enterprise capabilities
Startups received a boost two years back with Startup SG to provide holistic support for startups and entrepreneurs, from co-investments and proof-of-concept grants, to mentorship and physical space.
"Our startup ecosystem is flourishing," Heng said. "There are now over 220 venture capital deals per year in Singapore, worth close to US$4.2 billion1. This is a significant rise from the 80 deals worth US$136 million in 2012.
"Today, more than 150 global venture capital funds, incubators, and accelerators are based in Singapore, supporting startups here and in the region."
To help startups scale up and venture into new markets, Singapore will now provide support in three areas: customised assistance, better financing options, and supporting technology adoption.
"Customised support can enable firms to identify and overcome the unique challenges they face, and scale up quickly," Heng said.
"Enterprise Singapore will launch a Scale-up SG programme in partnership with the private and public sectors. Scale-up SG will work with aspiring, high-growth local firms to identify and build new capabilities, to innovate, grow, and internationalise," Heng revealed.
To further support innovation, the government is launching a two-year pilot Innovation Agents programme, where firms can tap on experienced industry professionals to advise them on opportunities to innovate and commercialise technology. Such experts or innovation agents will have both technology expertise and business experience.
Enterprise Singapore will identify individuals with deep expertise in technology, strong track record in growing businesses, and access to global industry networks. These Innovation Agents will be matched with enterprises that aspire to use technology to improve existing businesses or build new ones.
Innovation Agents will provide mentorship to enterprises to identify innovation opportunities, and facilitate connections to valuable technology and business partners. Depending on enterprises’ needs, Innovation Agents may provide consultation on a one-to-one basis, or on a group basis to groups of enterprises or consortia looking to capture new market opportunities through innovation. The duration of an engagement may vary from a few months to a year, depending on its scope.
More support for companies
While the the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has simplified the regulatory regime for venture capital managers and launched a US$5 billion private markets programme to encourage global private equity players to deepen their presence here, the pool of "smart, patient" capital (editor's note: capital that is invested for the long term, and which brings with it knowhow) will be grown further.
Since 2010, Singapore has invested S$400 million through two rounds of fund injections for the Co-Investment Programme (CIP) to invest in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) alongside the private sector. This has catalysed about S$1.3 billion of additional funding for SMEs, Heng said.
This year, an additional S$100 million is earmarked to establish the SME Co-Investment Fund III. "As part of the CIP, it will catalyse investment in Singapore-based SMEs that are ready to scale up. We expect that this will bring in at least S$200 million of additional funding," Heng said.
Temasek Holdings will participate as a co-investor in SME Co-Investment Fund III. Qualifying investee companies must have their key management functions and headquarter activities based in Singapore, and have revenues of up to S$500 million. The fund will be managed by Heliconia Capital Management, which can be reached at enquiries at heliconiacapital.com.
When it comes to loans, local banks have been supportive. DBS provides a Business Capabilities Loan for innovative SME projects; UOB has financial support for technology investments and overseas ventures, and OCBC finances new SMEs which lack the track record typically required for credit assessment. "To catalyse these further, we will enhance the accessibility of loans," Heng said.
Existing financing schemes offered by Enterprise Singapore will be streamlined into a single Enterprise Financing Scheme that will cover trade, working capital, fixed assets, venture debt, mergers and acquisitions, and project financing. This will be launched in October this year, with businesses able to apply for it via participating financial institutions.
The same Enterprise Financing Scheme will provide stronger support for companies that have been incorporated for under five years. "The government will take on up to 70% of the risk for bank loans to these young companies, compared to the current 50% under most existing loan schemes2," Heng said.
The SME Working Capital Loan scheme is to be extended till March 2021. "Since its launch in June 2016, the scheme has catalysed more than S$2.5 billion of loans. We expect the extension to catalyse a further S$1.8 billion. Support for working capital will be folded under the Enterprise Financing Scheme from October," Heng said.
Helping SMEs adopt digital technologies
The SMEs Go Digital programme, announced in Budget 2017 and benefiting some 4,000 SMEs to date, will be expanded.
Its key components* are IDPs, pre-approved digital solutions and digital sector projects. Sector-specific IDPs developed by IMDA serve as a guide for SMEs on the digital technologies and skills training programmes that are relevant to them at different stages of growth. As of end-2018, IDPs have been developed for seven sectors: environmental services, retail, food services, wholesale trade, logistics, security and media.
The accountancy, sea transport, and construction sectors will get their own Industry Digital Plans (IDPs), with more sectors to be added later, Heng said. "These will guide SMEs on relevant digital technologies and skills training programmes," he elaborated.
The government will also expand the number and range of cost-effective, pre-approved digital solutions that will be supported under SMEs Go Digital to boost technology adoption among SMEs. Pre-approved digital solutions are identified by IMDA and sector lead agencies and accessible on the whole-of-government (WOG) Business Grants Portal. This year, the solutions are to include artificial intelligence (AI)-infused solutions and cybersecurity solutions. SMEs can apply for the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) for funding support of up to 70% of qualifying costs to adopt these solutions.
IMDA also works with key industry leaders to pilot new digital solutions (including platforms) that have the potential to scale and uplift sectors. These are called digital sector projects.
MAS and the Info-communications Media Development Authority (IMDA) will also jointly pilot a cross-border innovation platform for SMEs, known as Business sans Borders, with an artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled marketplace to help SMEs match with buyers and vendors globally.
To help companies in the services sector capture opportunities from digitalisation, the Ministry of Communications and Information launched a three-year pilot of the Digital Services Lab (DSL) in November 2018. The DSL brings together industry and the research community to codevelop digital solutions with sectorwide impact in services sectors, such as logistics, retail and media. Companies participating as demand users and technology solutions providers may apply for funding support of up to 70% of qualifying costs.
This year, the Singapore government will extend the Automation Support Package (ASP) by two years. Introduced in Budget 2016, the ASP supports firms to deploy impactful, large-scale automation, such as robotics, Internet of Things solutions, and other Industry 4.0 technologies. Since its launch, the ASP has helped more than 300 companies to automate their operations and raise productivity.
Originally set to expire 31 March 2019, the ASP encourages companies to embark on large-scale automation projects to achieve significant productivity gains. The support package comprises grant, tax and loan components.
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) will also extend its operations and technology roadmapping efforts to more companies and sectors.
Additionally, the Ministry of Trade and Industry and relevant agencies are developing a one-stop portal, with a pilot to be launched for the food services sector by Q319. "Businesses will deal with only one point of contact, instead of up to the 14 different ones today," Heng said.
"Learning from these pilots, government agencies will continue to innovate, and improve the ease of doing business."
Enabling people to enjoy good jobs and opportunities
"On the part of the government, we will continue to invest in our people across all stages of their lives, from preschool, to work," Heng said.
There are currently over 100 Professional Conversion Programmes (PCPs) in about 30 sectors. This year, new PCPs relating to Blockchain, embedded software, and prefabrication will be launched to prepare Singaporeans to move into new growth areas.
The Career Support Programme, begun in 2015, will be extended for another two years. The programme provides wage support for employers to hire eligible Singaporeans who are mature and retrenched, or are in long-term unemployment.
Heng said the current rise in foreign workers for the services sector is unsustainable. "We need to act decisively to manage the manpower growth in services, and encourage our companies to revamp work processes, redesign jobs, and reskill our workers. Our workforce growth is tapering, and if we do not use this narrow window to double down on restructuring, our companies will find this even harder in the future.
"Relying on more and more foreign workers is not the long-term solution – other economies are developing too. What we need is to have a sustainable inflow of foreign workers to complement our workforce, while we upgrade our Singaporean workers and build deep enterprise capabilities in these sectors. We must enhance the complementarities of our local and foreign workers," he said.
The workforce quota is thus to be adjusted for the services sector in January 2020. For the sector, the Dependency Ratio Ceiling (DRC) will be cut in two steps, from 40% to 38% on 1 January 2020, and to 35% on 1 January 2021. The S Pass sub-DRC requirements for the services sector will also be reduced in 2020 and 2021.
The DRC is the maximum permitted ratio of foreign workers to the total workforce that a company in the stipulated sector is allowed to hire. At the time of writing, the DRC for the Manufacturing sector is 60%. This translates to 60% of a manufacturing company’s total workforce - the sum of local workers, S Pass and Work Permit holders - may consist of S Pass and Work Permit holders.
To support firms as they adjust to these changes, the 70% funding support level for the Enterprise Development Grant, slated to expire 31 March 2020, is now extended to 31 March 2023.
The Productivity Solutions Grant is likewise extended, and its scope expanded to support up to 70% of the out-of-pocket cost for training.
"Transitional manpower flexibilities can be considered if firms need more resources in the short term to transit to new operating models," Heng clarified.
He also said that firms can bring in foreign workers with specialised skills that are in demand globally, on a case-by-case basis, provided that they still face a shortage after having given fair consideration to Singaporeans.
An earlier-announced increase in foreign worker levy rates for the Marine Shipyard and Process sectors will be deferred for another year.
Digitising trade
To draw greater value from existing trade networks, the government will streamline and digitise trade processes further to enable easier access to overseas markets, and help firms make better use of free trade agreements, including the recent EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (EUSFTA).
"We will also be working with partners to facilitate the secure exchange of electronic trade documents, to unlock further productivity gains," Heng said.
Singapore as the Global-Asia Node of Technology, Innovation and Enterprise
"With the centre of economic gravity shifting to Asia, and with the technological depth of our partnerships with the G3 economies, we should position Singapore as 'Asia 101' for global MNCs looking to expand into Asia’s growing markets, and as 'Global 101' for Asian companies ready to go global," Heng suggested. The G3 economies refer to the US, Europe and Japan.
As with the macro strategy, the plan to become the Global-Asia node will focus on investments in research and innovation by Singapore universities, research institutes, and Singapore firms; investments in people; and building global partnerships.
"First, we will continue to invest in R&D to support the push to make innovation pervasive. We have set aside S$19 billion as part of our five-year Research, Innovation, and Enterprise 2020 plan. Our investments in R&D in our universities and research institutes are bearing fruit," Heng said.
"The construction sector, seen as low-tech and labour-intensive, is now using integrated digital delivery3. This makes use of building information modelling (BIM) and other digital technologies, connecting different players working on the same construction projects. This has raised productivity and created new high-value jobs such as 3D modellers. Site productivity has improved by about 15% over the last eight years."
BIM is the DevOps of construction, shortening process cycles by bringing together siloed teams on a digital platform earlier in the process, so everyone can visualise building components even before they are physically created.
Much has been done in research and development, and more activity is expected. "The government will continue to invest in Centres of Innovation at our institutes of higher learning (IHLs) and research institutes, and to support companies in innovation," Heng said.
Enterprise Singapore, for instance, will launch a Centre of Innovation in Energy at NTU, building on earlier investments at the Energy Research Institute at NTU (ERI@N). The centre will collaborate with the Sustainable Energy Association of Singapore to drive industry-led innovation in areas such as energy efficiency, renewable energy, and electric mobility.
The current local and overseas internship programmes at IHLs will be combined into a single Global Ready Talent Programme with have enhanced funding support for students interning overseas with Singapore firms. Additionally the programme will support high-growth Singapore firms to send Singaporeans with up to three years of working experience for postings in key markets such as Southeast Asia, China, and India.
"Singapore as a Global-Asia node will bring new opportunities for our people, in new frontiers. The second thrust is to prepare and develop our people to make full use of this node. We are partnering firms to invest in our people, including young Singaporeans, to provide them with opportunities to gain working experience abroad," Heng added.
"To summarise, our economic transformation is progressing well. But, we must persist with our industry transformation efforts. At the same time, the pace of technological innovation is rapid, and global economic weight is shifting towards Asia. We will position Singapore as a Global-Asia node of technology, innovation and enterprise," Heng concluded.
"By giving young Singaporeans overseas exposure, they can develop new skills to better support our firms’ overseas expansion," Heng observed.
The third thrust is to build global partnerships. In Budget 2017, the Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) was launched. There are now nine nodes in global startup hotspots, such as Bangkok, Thailand; Beijing, China; Berlin, Germany; Jakarta, Indonesia, and San Francisco in the US.
"Last year, we held the third edition of the Singapore FinTech Festival. This is now the world’s largest fintech event4. As part of this festival, the Global Investor Summit brought together investors on our Meet ASEAN’s Talents and Champions (MATCH) platform. These investors expressed an interest to invest up to US$12 billion in ASEAN enterprises in fintech, infocommunications technology, and medtech over the next three years," Heng said.
Last year, the Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology (SWITCH) brought together more than 350 exhibitors, and 1,000 promising startups and financiers from 75 countries, Heng said. This year, SWITCH and the Singapore FinTech Festival will be held in the same week in mid-November in 2019 for more impact.
"We can draw in even more entrepreneurs, investors, innovators, from around the world, to explore and collaborate in technology innovation in this fourth industrial revolution," Heng said.
Supplementing worker incomes on the low end
The Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) scheme, which provides cash payouts and CPF top-ups for workers whose earnings are in the bottom 20%, will be enhanced.
From January 2020, the qualifying income cap will be raised from the current S$2,000 to S$2,300 per month. The maximum annual payouts will also be increased by up to S$400. Older workers will see higher increases in payouts. Heng gave the example of workers aged 60 and earning S$1,200 a month today. Under the revised WIS, they will receive S$4,000 per year from WIS, or almost 30% of their wages.
The enhanced WIS is expected to benefit almost 440,000 Singaporeans. The changes will apply for work done from 1 January 2020 onwards.
The older workforce
In response to the greying workforce, with about 25% of the workforce aged 55 or more, Singapore has set up a Tripartite Workgroup to study the concerns of older workers. The committee reviews policies such as the retirement and re-employment age, and the CPF contribution rates of older workers. Recommendations are expected later in 2019.
To support employers in hiring older Singaporean workers, the government had introduced the Special Employment Credit (SEC) scheme in 2011, and later an Additional SEC (ASEC) scheme.
"I am happy that companies have responded by hiring older workers, tapping on their experiences, and supporting them in upgrading their skills," Heng shared. "With a tighter labour market, and more Singaporeans choosing to work longer, more companies will be hiring older workers.
"The government will study better forms of support to continue to help workers to remain productive, earn more, and save more for retirement."
The SEC and ASEC are to be extended to 31 December 2020. "Our aim is to help Singaporeans fulfil their potential at each stage of life," said Heng.
Comments from industry players were generally positive.
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| Source: PwC. Woo. |
"The re-calibration of foreign manpower policy is a timely wake-up call to the services sector that industry re-design transformation is central; undue reliance on cheap foreign labour will soon be a thing of the past. Businesses will need to accelerate industry transformation with a focus on automation, redesigning worker skillsets and employing older Singapore workers," added Girish Vikas Naik, Global Mobility Director, PwC International Assignment Services.
Benjamin Low, VP (Asia Pacific), Milestone Systems, commented: “The measures announced in this year’s Budget address two key issues for businesses – the ability to adopt new technologies and ability of people to work with them. For instance, the expansion of the PSG will allow businesses to adopt new technologies which can give them a competitive edge, or reinvigorate struggling sectors such as brick-and-mortar retail."
Low added that the new PCP will also help more people get crucial upgrades to their skills. "In the security industry, for instance, the traditional role of a security guard has been to patrol a site and watch security surveillance feeds. But video analytics can help optimise the work of security guards, meaning our security workforce must start gaining higher value skills, such as the ability to operate more technical surveillance systems, in order to stay relevant,” he explained.
"Local firms are at different phases of growth and competencies. Customised support programmes such as Scale-up SG and Innovation Agents programmes introduced in this Budget will help high growth local firms in deepening their capabilities, strategising how they should venture in new growth markets and introduce innovative products and services so that they can compete globally," stated Lennon Lee, Entrepreneurial & Private Clients Tax Leader, PwC Singapore.
Alex Lim, ASEAN Director, BMC Software noted, “In today’s digital era we are facing profound and far-reaching changes in the way digital technology is created, managed, analysed, and consumed. In an age of 'more'— more people, using more technology, from more locations, on more devices, for more of the time – businesses are having to adapt in dramatic ways. This can be a challenge for businesses of any size, so we therefore support the important initiatives announced in (February 18's) Budget, which will help more of Singapore’s businesses make the crucial changes required to successfully adopt new technologies and remain competitive in the long-term.”
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Source: Tableau.
Ong.
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"Time
is running out for businesses who haven’t started their digital
transformation journey but the measures announced in this year’s Budget will
help more businesses embrace new technologies and help workers upgrade
their skillsets to match the needs of the new digital economy. We look
forward to seeing more of Singapore’s businesses upgrade their
competitiveness as a result.”
"We are excited to see how the Singapore government will be working with various technology leaders and industry associations to equip local businesses with the knowledge and confidence in choosing the right technological solutions to propel them to the next level."
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Source: Trend Micro.
Jain.
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"Therefore, developing threat-hunting and investigation capabilities, and training talents who can perform these tasks would be the top priority. The Singapore government’s role should be to help companies develop such skills, either in-house or via an external service provider who offers managed detection and response (MDR) services,” said Nilesh Jain, VP, Southeast Asia and India, Trend Micro.
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*Companies can also benefit from other forms of support under the SMEs Go Digital programme, including consultancy services and project management services.
1 Inclusive of spikes in venture capital investments arising from large deals.
2 The enhanced support for young companies will be reviewed by 31 March 2021.
3 Integrated digital delivery taps on building information modelling (BIM) to allow architects, engineers, contractors, and facility managers to share information and collaborate. It raises productivity, and creates new, high value jobs such as 3D digital modellers, data analysts, and computational specialists.
4 In 2018, the festival had over 500 exhibitors, 250 speakers, and 45,000 delegates from over 127 countries.
