For Singapore’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), dealing with complicated government procedures and red tape can be a major headache.
According to The Straits Times, a new office will open its doors in early 2025, specifically designed to help SMEs navigate the often perplexing landscape of rules and regulations, especially when these involve more than one government agency.
The SME Pro-Enterprise Office (PEO), set up under Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) and the Ministry of Trade and Industry, will be all about making life easier for businesses.
Announced by Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Low Yen Ling on Monday, the new office will gather feedback from businesses facing regulatory hurdles, particularly those that require cross-agency cooperation, and work with relevant authorities to find solutions, reported the news portal.
Cutting through the red tape
So, what exactly will the SME PEO do? Think of it as a mediator between businesses and the government, focused on three main tasks, or what they’re calling the “three Ts”: Triage, Track, and Treat.
- Triage: The office will prioritise and sort through the feedback received from businesses, making sure that it gets to the right government agencies for action.
- Track: It will set up a system to measure changes in service standards, keeping tabs on how well the government is doing in responding to these issues.
- Treat: Once issues are resolved, the office will analyse the outcomes to see if there are systemic problems that need to be addressed more broadly.
This approach aims to create a smoother, faster experience for businesses when they need to deal with government regulations, freeing up their time and resources to focus on growth and innovation.
Why it matters?
For SMEs, time is money. Delays in regulatory approvals and compliance can lead to increased operating costs, missed opportunities, and a whole lot of frustration.
An example of an emerging area where it may be helpful to “harmonise” regulations is the installation of solar panels, The Business Times reported.
The issue could potentially involve multiple agencies such as the Singapore Civil Defence Force, the Building and Construction Authority, the Ministry of Manpower, and the National Environment Agency.
“Businesses need smoother and shorter regulatory processes with minimal barriers, especially with the rapid emergence of new technologies and a fast-evolving business environment,” Low was quoted as saying, highlighting the urgent need for this new office.
A central hub for business support
The SME PEO will act as a central coordinating unit, working closely with various agencies to not only address regulatory challenges but also improve inter-agency coordination.
This means that while individual agencies will still handle straightforward cases, the PEO will step in when things get complicated, ensuring no business is left bouncing between departments.
The creation of this office comes on the heels of feedback from the business community and is part of a broader effort to enhance Singapore’s business competitiveness.
In April, an inter-ministerial committee was set up to tackle these cross-cutting issues and find ways to reduce compliance costs for SMEs.
A step forward in business competitiveness
At this year’s National Day Rally, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong emphasised the importance of reducing regulatory burdens to help businesses stay competitive in a challenging global market.
He cited the example of streamlined processes for drone show registrations, illustrating the government’s commitment to making things easier for businesses, reported The Business Times.
EnterpriseSG’s managing director, Cindy Khoo, echoed this sentiment, stating, “The business operating landscape, including the associated regulatory requirements, has evolved over the years and become more complex.”
The SME PEO will address these complexities head-on, helping businesses navigate the regulatory landscape more effectively.
Looking ahead
With its launch just around the corner, the SME PEO is expected to play a pivotal role in transforming the way businesses interact with government regulations.
Whether it’s speeding up approvals or smoothing out complicated cross-agency issues, the new office promises to be a game-changer for Singapore’s SMEs.
In a fast-paced business world where agility and innovation are key, the SME PEO could be the support system that helps local businesses not just survive, but thrive.
- Read other articles we’ve written about Singaporean startups here.
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