Economy & business

5,376 debates and bills about economy & business

9 Mar 2017

Committee of Supply – Heads C, D, F, G and Z

The Chairman proposed to take Heads C, D, F, G and Z for the Main Estimates en bloc and these were agreed to.
The Chairman also proposed Heads C and F for the Development Estimates and these were likewise agreed to.
The debate centered on the approval of expenditure sums for these specific Heads as outlined in the 2017 estimates papers.

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9 Mar 2017

Estimates for the Financial Year 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018

The debate focused on the Estimates for the financial year from 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018.
It was conducted in the Committee of Supply on the 6th Allotted Day.
Mdm Speaker chaired the session, overseeing the proceedings.
The discussion involved the consideration of government expenditure and allocations.
The proceedings followed formal parliamentary procedures for budget approval.

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9 Mar 2017

Comparison between Singapore and OECD's Electricity Tariffs

Leon Perera asked for a comparison of Singapore's electricity tariffs with OECD countries using gas for power generation from 2011 to 2016.
The Minister noted Singapore relies on imported natural gas for 95% of electricity, with only five OECD countries using gas as a main fuel source.
Compared to all five OECD countries, Singapore's tariffs were about 1% higher on average from 2011 to 2015.
When compared to Ireland, Turkey, and Japan—which also mainly use imported gas—Singapore's tariffs were about 13% lower on average during the same period.
The debate highlighted the importance of selecting comparable countries when assessing electricity tariffs.

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8 Mar 2017

Annual Breakdown of New Jobs Created from 2011 to 2016

Leon Perera asked for an annual breakdown from 2011 to 2016 of new jobs created and net new jobs across MNCs, SMEs, GLCs, and the public service.
Lim Swee Say provided net employment change data for SMEs, non-SMEs, and public service from 2011 to 2016 but noted that gross job creation data is unavailable.
The response did not include GLC-specific data or separate figures for MNCs.

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8 Mar 2017

Committee of Supply Reporting Progress

Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin moved to report progress and adjourn the debate until the next day.
The motion was approved, and the Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair of the House from the Committee of Supply.
The Committee of Supply reported progress on the Estimates of Expenditure for the 2017/2018 financial year.
The Deputy Speaker granted leave for the Committee to sit again the following day.

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8 Mar 2017

Estimates of Expenditure for the Financial Year 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018

The debate initiated in the Committee of Supply for the 2017–2018 financial year, focusing on the government's proposed expenditure.
The Minister for Finance outlined the budget allocations, emphasizing strategic priorities and fiscal prudence.
Members of Parliament raised queries on specific ministries’ spending, seeking clarifications on allocations and outcomes.
The Minister responded to queries, justifying expenditures and highlighting accountability measures.
The Committee of Supply progressed through the vote on accounts, advancing the budget debate.

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7 Mar 2017

Committee of Supply Reporting Progress

The Minister for National Development, Lawrence Wong, moved to report progress and adjourn the session until the next day.
The motion was approved, and the Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair of the House.
Lawrence Wong formally reported that the Committee of Supply had made further progress on the 2017/2018 financial year Estimates of Expenditure.

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7 Mar 2017

Committee of Supply − Head M (Ministry of Finance)

Several MPs urged the government to accelerate the digitalisation of public services to enhance efficiency and user convenience, with the Second Minister for Finance outlining ongoing efforts such as the MyInfo portal and the Business Grants Portal to streamline interactions for citizens and businesses.
A significant portion of the debate focused on government procurement, with calls to better support SMEs through measures like tender-splitting and the Gov-PACT scheme, while the minister emphasized the principles of fairness, transparency, and value-for-money, noting that SMEs already win a substantial share of contracts.
Proposals were made to refine social assistance schemes, including re-examining means-testing criteria to be more inclusive of private housing residents and multi-generational households, with the Senior Minister of State explaining the government's approach to balancing fairness, sustainability, and work incentives.

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7 Mar 2017

Estimates of Expenditure for the Financial Year 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018

The Singapore Parliament convened a Committee of Supply session to scrutinize the government's proposed expenditure for the fiscal year 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018.
The proceedings were formally opened with the Speaker in the Chair, initiating the committee's review of the budget allocations.
The debate focused on evaluating the financial plans and spending priorities across various government ministries and agencies for the upcoming fiscal year.
Discussions aimed at ensuring accountability and prudent use of public funds were central to the parliamentary examination of the expenditure estimates.

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6 Mar 2017

Committee of Supply Reporting Progress

The Minister for Education (Schools) moved to report progress and seek leave to sit again tomorrow, which was consented to by the Chairman.
The Committee of Supply reported further progress on the Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 2017/2018.
The Deputy Speaker granted leave for the Committee to sit again the next day.

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6 Mar 2017

Committee of Supply − Head Q (Ministry of Communications and Information)

Members urged the Ministry to enhance support for SMEs in digital transformation, including sector-specific digital plans, innovation centres, and better access to grants, while also helping workers reskill amid technological disruption.
The debate highlighted concerns about cybersecurity, the impact of internet separation on public service, and the need to strengthen data protection and PDPA compliance, especially for SMEs.
Questions were raised on improving public communications, live-streaming parliamentary sessions, and ensuring inclusive access to digital government services, particularly for seniors and less tech-savvy citizens.

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6 Mar 2017

Committee of Supply − Head S (Ministry of Manpower)

Patrick Tay proposed a review of Singapore's labor laws—including the Employment Act, Industrial Relations Act, Employment Claims Act, and Trade Unions Act—to better cover professionals, managers, executives, and technicians (PMETs), freelancers, and workers affected by economic restructuring, suggesting changes such as removing salary caps for coverage and allowing freelancers to join unions.
MPs raised concerns about job mismatches, long-term unemployment, and the impact of technological disruption on workers, urging enhancements to Adapt and Grow initiatives like Professional Conversion Programmes and Career Support Programme, and introducing new schemes like Attach and Train and extended work trials to support workers in transitioning to new roles.
The Ministry of Manpower highlighted measures to strengthen the Singaporean core, including tightening foreign manpower policies, expanding the Lean Enterprise Development Scheme for SMEs, and launching the Human Capital Partnership program, while emphasizing the need for tripartite collaboration to ensure fair employment practices and progressive workplaces.

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6 Mar 2017

Estimates of Expenditure for the Financial Year 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018

The Committee of Supply convened on the third allotted day to consider expenditure estimates for the financial year April 2017 to March 2018.
Parliamentary procedure was followed with the Speaker presiding over the session to ensure orderly debate on the budget allocations.
The discussion focused on the government's proposed spending plans for the upcoming fiscal year across various ministries and agencies.

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3 Mar 2017

Committee of Supply ‒ Head V (Ministry of Trade and Industry)

The debate highlighted Singapore's need to adapt its economic strategies in response to global disruptions like anti-globalization trends and rapid technological changes, with a focus on moving from value-adding to value-creating through initiatives such as Industry Transformation Maps (ITMs) and the Committee on the Future Economy (CFE) recommendations.
Key concerns were raised about slower economic growth (2% in 2016, projected 1-3% for 2017), business costs including rentals and regulations, and the need to support SMEs, with ministers outlining measures like the SME Working Capital Loan, automation support, and regulatory streamlining to enhance competitiveness.
Discussions emphasized strengthening Singapore's global connectivity through trade agreements and international partnerships, while building domestic capabilities in areas like advanced manufacturing, digital economy, and urban solutions, with examples like the Global Innovation Alliance and enhanced support for startups through the "Startup SG" initiative.
The government outlined efforts to foster innovation, including A*STAR's transformation, Gov-Pact for public procurement of innovative solutions, and initiatives to attract global entrepreneurial talent via enhanced EntrePass schemes, while addressing sector-specific challenges in marine, retail, and food manufacturing industries.
Parliamentarians raised practical issues like resource pooling for SMEs, support for heartland businesses, and workforce reskilling, with ministers committing to closer collaboration with trade associations and unions to drive industry transformation and ensure workers are prepared for future jobs.

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3 Mar 2017

Estimates for the Financial Year 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018

The Committee of Supply for the 2017-2018 financial year was convened for its second allotted day, with the Speaker presiding over the proceedings.
The debate centered on the approval of government expenditure estimates for the period from 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018.
The session focused on the legislative process to authorize and scrutinize the allocated funds for the upcoming fiscal year.

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3 Mar 2017

Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for the Financial Year 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017

The Committee of Supply approved supplementary expenditure for the financial year 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017, totaling $105,323,500 for the Supplementary Main Estimates and $464,478,600 for the Supplementary Development Estimates.
The Chairman proposed taking the Heads of Expenditure en bloc without amendments, and all related questions were put and agreed to by the Committee.
The Senior Minister of State for Finance reported the Committee’s resolutions and moved for Parliament’s agreement, which was subsequently approved.

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3 Mar 2017

Exit of Manufacturing Operations by US Companies

The Minister outlined Singapore’s attractiveness to US companies, citing strong investment figures and a diversified manufacturing sector anchored by pro-business policies, skilled talent, and robust IP protection.
The government is leveraging Industry Transformation Maps and the Home Strategy to boost competitiveness, support R&D in advanced manufacturing, and build ecosystems around leading companies.
Efforts are being coordinated with agencies like SkillsFuture and Workforce Singapore to ensure a skilled workforce, while Singapore remains committed to open trade and resisting protectionism to sustain global relevance.

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3 Mar 2017

Guidelines for Eco-labelling on Products

Leon Perera asked whether the Ministry would introduce guidelines for eco-labelling to prevent consumers from being misled by non-governmental eco-labelling initiatives.
The Minister replied that the Ministry encourages eco-label administrators to reference international standards like ISO and cited the Singapore Green Labelling Scheme (SGLS) as a credible local example, urging consumers to rely on established bodies.
Perera followed up by questioning whether private organisations could create their own eco-labels without international connections and how consumers could assess credibility without guidelines.
The Minister reiterated that credible organisations like SGLS are already used by the government and advised consumers to rely on such established bodies for their choices.

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2 Mar 2017

Committee of Supply Reporting Progress

The Minister for Foreign Affairs sought consent to report progress and adjourn the sitting to the next day, which the Chairman granted.
The Committee of Supply resolved to report progress and request leave to sit again tomorrow, with the Deputy Speaker assuming the Chair of the House.
The Foreign Affairs Minister formally reported that the Committee made further progress on the 2017/2018 financial year Estimates of Expenditure.
The Deputy Speaker approved the adjournment, confirming the sitting would resume the following day.

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2 Mar 2017

Estimates of Expenditure for the Financial Year 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018

The Chairman outlined procedures for debating Singapore’s expenditure estimates for FY2017–2018, noting 545 amendments and strict time limits for discussions.
The debate will proceed by considering Heads of Expenditure, starting with the Prime Minister’s Office (Head U), as per the Committee of Supply’s allotted days.
Digital timers will be used to enforce speech times, with the Chairman emphasizing adherence to limits for both backbench and frontbench members.

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