By: Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports
At 9.15 am at the Institute of Systems Science, National University of Singapore
Dr. Kio Chung Kim, Executive Director, Asian Pacific Women's Information Network Center, Sookmyung Women's University,
Ms Irene Boey, President, Federation of Business and Professional Women of Singapore,
Mr Yong Hwan Lee, Commercial Attache, Ministry of Knowledge Economy of Korea,
Ms Anita Douglas, Communications Director, APEC,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning,
INTRODUCTION
I am delighted to be here this morning for the launch of the APEC Digital Economy Forum for Women.
First of all, let me congratulate the Federation of Business and Professional Women of Singapore, the Asian Pacific Women's Information Centre and the APEC Women's e-biz Centre for coming together to organise this event. I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of the Korean Ministry of Knowledge Economy, the Electronic Commerce Steering Group, the APEC Gender Focal Point Network (GFPN) and Women Leader's Network (WLN), the International Federation of Business & Professional Women's Association and the Singapore Council of Women's Organisations for supporting this event.
This excellent initiative is organised as part of the ''Initiative for APEC Women's Participation in the Digital Economy''. Today?s forum aims to enhance women's economic activities in such an economy and equip them with the knowledge, skills and the confidence to become entrepreneurs.
Launch of Singapore's Infocomm Masterplan, iN2015
It was in 2006 that the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore launched its infocomm masterplan, Intelligent Nation 2015, in short ''iN2015''. The aim of iN2015 masterplan is to innovatively harness infocomm technologies to enhance our national competitiveness. By 2015, an ultra high-speed, pervasive, intelligent and trusted infocomm structure will be established. As a result, key economic sectors, government and society will be transformed through more sophisticated use of infocomm.
Indeed, in today's fast-paced economy, infocomm is becoming increasingly pervasive in our lives. As at December 2007, the mobile penetration rate in Singapore has reached 122.5%. Household broadband penetration rate was 77.1%, a double-digit increase from 61.1% just a year ago in December 2006. Business broadband penetration increased from 49% in 2006 to 52% in 2007.
However, survey shows that while internet usage, broadband mode of access and web presence have increased, there remains a sizeable gap between smaller enterprises and the bigger enterprises. Respondents with no computer and internet usage cited the cost factor as the number one barrier to infocomm usage. The low level of infocomm skills among employees is cited as the second barrier.
Promoting Infocomm Adoption Among SMEs
So how do we bridge this digital divide? To help the SMEs to see more value in infocomm and embrace it, I am happy to share with you three recent initiatives the Government has introduced. The first is the SME Infocomm Resource Centre at Singapore Polytechnic to provide SMEs with advice on, for example, how to leverage commonly used applications such as email, Skype, anti-spyware and anti-virus for their businesses. SMEs can also pilot innovative solutions before embarking on full-scale implementation. The advisory services are provided at a cost as low as $5.
Another initiative is the SME Domain-Name Reservation service. When a local company registers its name with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority, or ACRA for short, it can reserve its preferred domain name for free. It has three months to decide if it wishes to register that domain name and if it wishes to, it will be offered at a subsidised rate initially.
The third initiative is the SME Infocomm Package, which by May 2008, will offer infocomm service and support packages from a list of pre-qualified suppliers. This scheme will enable SMEs to reap cost savings when they invest in basic infocomm equipment and services. The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) will co-fund the first 5,000 SMEs who take advantage of these packages.
Promoting Infocomm Manpower and Talent Development
Talent development will continue to be important to ensure that our economy can thrive in the new environment. Last year, the National Infocomm Competency Framework (or ''NICF'') was introduced. It is aimed at helping professionals upgrade and equip themselves with skill sets which we anticipate will be in high demand in the future. A new NICF portal was launched on 29 Feb 2008 to enable users to assess manpower capability gaps, develop career development plans, as well as to identify relevant training programmes. The NCIF will benefit employers by enhancing staff training and development programmes based on industry standards.
Complementing this framework is the Techno-Strategist Programme to equip some 1,000 middle-tier infocomm professionals, with deeper domain knowledge specifically in healthcare, finance and banking. The programme will eventually expand into other sectors. Over the next 5 years, IDA will be investing a further $70 million into these infocomm manpower development programmes.
Besides addressing talent, IDA and the Media Development Authority (MDA) will work with other government agencies, including the Economic Development Board (EDB), to continue with industry efforts to attract high-value ICT and Research and Development activities to Singapore. Assistance for local startups will also be increased so that they will be able to create and market their IP both locally and internationally.
Women in the Digital Economy
The Government's initiatives to develop infrastructure and talent demonstrate that we are sparing no efforts in boosting Singapore's global competitiveness in the digital economy. However, more still needs to be done to ensure that women can leverage on the use of infocomm technology to their advantage and not be left behind.
A new research project led by Ms Irene Boey, President of the, Federation of Business and Professional Women in Singapore will study the differences between men and women business owners in using Internet technologies as well as examine differences between SMEs in the different economies and how this might affect international trade between them. The findings will be important in helping relevant stakeholders identify and address issues facing SMEs and women-owned businesses. I strongly encourage participants today, who are owners or representative of SMEs to take part in this study.
Conclusion
I applaud the organisers for putting together this forum to facilitate discussion and the sharing of best practices on promoting women's e-business entrepreneurship. Your views will be important as policy recommendations formulated today will be presented to the Government, the APEC E-Commerce Steering Group, and the GFPN and WLN for consideration.
Singapore is looking forward to hosting APEC in 2009. My Ministry will be organising both the GFPN and the WLN Meetings. I look forward to your participation and support again next year.
Thank you very much for having me here today. It now gives me great pleasure to launch the APEC Digital Economy Forum for Women in Singapore 2008. I wish all of you an insightful and enjoyable forum. Thank you.
MCYS SPEECH NO: 25/2008
DATE OF ISSUE: 19/04/2008