In response to the global economic downturn, the Singapore Government implemented the Resilience Package to save jobs, enhance business capabilities and to ready the economy for continued growth and global competitiveness. The Resilience Package comprises a myriad of programmes across all industries. In this new mini-series, iN.SG introduces the various Government assistance programmes available for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and infocomm companies beginning with programmes aimed at supporting infocomm innovation and adoption.

SME Infocomm Package (SIP)

Government assistance programmes are available to support SMEs in infocomm innovation and adoption.

Agency: Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA)

Objectives

Under this programme, SMEs can seek advice on how to introduce infocomm technology into their business, purchase affordable infocomm solutions packaged according to their business needs, and enjoy maintenance support, all under one roof. Subsidies are provided for SMEs who are developing a web presence for their business for the first time. The benefits of SIP include one-stop provision for affordable infocomm packages to SMEs as well as a subsidy to encourage SMEs to develop a web presence if they do not already have one. In response to the economic downturn, SIP has been enhanced to offer higher subsidies. The enhanced SIP is available from 1 April 2009 to 30 April 2010.

Coverage

The subsidy is capped at S$2,000 per SME (increased from S$1,000). The SME must minimally purchase website/web pages development. The subsidy covers 80 per cent of the website/web pages development efforts. In addition, subsidy also covers any of the following items:

• 80 per cent (up from 50 per cent) of monthly broadband subscription charges for 12 months (SME must sign a minimum 12-month contract).
• 80 per cent (up from 50 per cent) of monthly hosting and maintenance of website/web pages for 12 months (SME must sign a minimum 12-month contract).

Eligibility

* Local SMEs with

• At least 30 per cent local shareholding
• Less than S$15 million fixed assets, and
• Less than 200 employees (for non-manufacturing sector)

* The SME also must not already own a website for the business as the SIP purchase must include the development of website/web pages for the business.

Contact: info@ida.gov.sg.

Technology Innovation Programme (TIP)

Agency: SPRING Singapore and IDA

Objectives

SPRING's TIP helps fast-growing SMEs and start-ups by catalysing and co-funding technology projects. IDA works with SPRING to assess TIP applications for projects involving infocomm technologies to develop or improve products & processes.

Coverage

The TIP grant can support up to 70 per cent (raised from 50 per cent) of qualifying project costs for:

• Manpower
• Professional fees
• Equipment
• Software

Eligibility

* Local SMEs with

• At least 30 per cent local shareholding
• Less than S$15 million fixed assets, and
• Less than 200 employees (for non-manufacturing sector).

* Project must be carried out in Singapore

Contact: EnterpriseOne Hotline: (65) 6898 1800,
Email: enterpriseone@spring.gov.sg.

Business Upgrading Initiatives for Long-Term Development (BUILD)

Agency: SPRING Singapore

Objectives

This is a S$200m programme to help SMEs stay focused on long-term capability building.

Coverage

* For individual SMEs, SPRING Singapore will increase funding support from 50 per cent to 70 per cent for its capability development programmes. Programmes supported include the following:

• Technology Innovation Programme
• Intellectual Property Management Programme
• Design Engage Programme
• BrandPact
• SME Management Action for Results Initiative
• Business Leaders Initiative
• Customer-Centric Initiative
• Local Enterprise and Association Development (LEAD) programme

* For industry-level projects, SPRING will raise funding support from 70 per cent to 80 per cent under the LEAD programme.

Eligibility

Refer to individual schemes for eligibility.

Contact: EnterpriseOne Hotline: (65) 6898 1800,
Email: enterpriseone@spring.gov.sg.