One
Stop Portal To Better Serve Our Enterprises
Local enterprises can
now get access to more than 30 government agencies and business chambers
and associations with the launch of EnterpriseOne, an initiative for enterprises
managed by SPRING Singapore. EnterpriseOne stands for "One Network
for Enterprises".
EnterpriseOne consists of two key channels:
- A significantly enhanced customer-centric business.gov.sg portal that is supported by a telephone hotline; and
- A network of Enterprise Development Centres (EDCs), managed by the chambers and industry associations, such as the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (ASME).
SPRING Singapore completely redeveloped the original www.business.gov.sg portal based on feedback from enterprises to ensure that the portal truly meets their needs. Although retaining the original URL link, the new portal boasts a host of new features such as step-by-step guide for the application of government schemes, case studies, and useful tips and advice from successful companies.
There is also a convenient "Quick Find" function that allows businesses to identify funding options, government assistance schemes, and even market statistics from 25 government agencies to meet their business needs. Another key e-Service is the award-winning Online Business Licensing Service (OBLS) which won a United Nations Public Service Award last year, is a one-stop e-service to fulfil the licensing needs of businesses.
For the second channel, enterprises looking for advice on business issues can visit any of the EDCs at the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, the Singapore Manufacturers' Federation and the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The EDCs provide a range of expert business consultancy products and services to both aspiring entrepreneurs and existing businesses.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs, Mr Wong Kan Seng, said at the Official Opening of Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) at the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCCI) in February 2006 that the portal was developed with the needs of enterprises of in mind. More than 500 enterprises from the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) and the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (ASME) took part in a study to identify and gather the needs of enterprises.
According to Mr Ng Wai Choong, Deputy Secretary (Industry), Ministry of Trade & Industry, one common feedback the Government had received from the small and medium-sized businesses is that while information on various government topics such as assistance schemes, regulations and services are readily available, the information was often dispersed among different government agencies. As a result, most SMEs had to approach quite a few agencies before locating the right one, which is wastage in both time and costs.
SMEs, therefore, asked for a single access point where they could obtain the relevant government information with the information tailored and packaged according to the SMEs' perspective. According to DPM Wong, it is hoped that "with this EnterpriseOne portal, enterprises will be able to cut down on the time spent in seeking out information and finding the right government agencies to approach for their needs."
Besides the English
version of the portal which is at www.business.gov.sg,
a Mandarin version of the EnterpriseOne portal is available at www.sccci.org.sg/enterpriseone
to cater to the Mandarin speaking entrepreneurs and both are supported
by a telephone hotline.
