SMEs across various stages of the digital journey are supported by:
• Sector-specific Industry Digital Plans (IDPs) provide SMEs with a step-by-step guide on the digital solutions and training to adopt at different stages of their growth. IDPs for 10 ITM Sectors have been rolled out and more IDPs will be launched in due course.
• Pre-approved solutions have been assessed to be market-proven, cost-effective and supported by reliable vendors. SMEs can go to Tech Depot (www.smeportal.sg) to browse the solutions and apply for the Productivity Solutions Grant through the Business Grants Portal (www.businessgrants.gov.sg).
• The Start Digital initiative was launched in January 2019 to help newly incorporated SMEs and those that have not adopted any digital solutions before, to get started. SMEs can take up any two foundational digital solutions: Accounting, Human Resource Management System (HRMS) & Payroll, Digital Marketing, Digital Transactions and Cybersecurity. Banking (DBS, Maybank, OCBC and UOB) and telecommunication (M1, Singtel and StarHub) partners offer the solutions at competitive prices.
• To help SMEs seize growth opportunities in the digital economy, IMDA collaborates with industry partners, to pilot B2B and B2C marketplace platforms that enable large numbers of SMEs to come on-board and uplift a cluster or whole sector.
• Established by IMDA and operated by the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (ASME), SME Digital Tech Hub (www.digitaltechhub.sg) is a dedicated consultancy providing expert advice in data analytics, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and Internet of Things. Consultants conduct educational seminars and free advisory clinics to connect SMEs to suitable solution providers and project managers.
• For SMEs that lack the manpower or expertise for project implementation, they can tap on services provided by the Singapore Manufacturing Federation. Project managers can be engaged at subsidised fees to support for SMEs to realise the benefits of digitalisation.

https://www.imda.gov.sg/programme-listing/smes-go-digital

• Singapore

SMEsGD could be replicated in any country that envisions harnessing the potential of digitalisation to grow and sustain its economy by uplifting its trade and industries. The Singapore model has been widely studied by top-tier international consulting firms that advise developed and emerging economies.

Since the launch of SMEsGD, IMDA has hosted delegates from governments, industries and academia from many countries, such as Australia, Bahrain, China, India, Korea, etc., who are keen to learn more about the programme.

SMEsGD is part of a whole-of-government approach to achieve the Smart Nation vision, thus positioning Singapore as a leading digital economy on the world stage. With substantial resources in terms of budget, talents and new policies being committed towards that vision, a rigorous process has been put in place to continuously monitor, evaluate and verify the effectiveness of the programme.

For example, ICM vendors and beneficiary SMEs must submit implementation reports, including measurable improvements in productivity, staff training and job redesign, if any, as part of the grant support requirements. We verify these reports by interviewing SMEs and highlighting successful use cases in our communication channels, social and traditional media.

We have engaged an internationally renowned research company to conduct an annual study (through surveys, dipsticks and self-assessment toolkits) with SMEs, trade associations and SME business advisory centres to provide quantitative and qualitative findings on the perception, digital readiness, rate of adoption and implementation experience. The various data points provide unbiased feedback of the programme from multiple stakeholders and form the bedrock of a comprehensive dashboard for tracking the progress and effectiveness of the SMEsGD programme. Monthly reporting of SMEsGD’s progress are shared with key stakeholders, including government ministries, agencies, and trade associations and chambers.

Furthermore, ICM vendors are assessed regularly to ensure their continued good-standing vis-à-vis various checklists from a number of government agencies, and their digital solutions are evaluated for their performance and scalability to ensure their relevance and high service levels.

SMEsGD’s goal aspires to the WSIS’s commitment to build a people-centred, inclusive and development-oriented Information Society, where everyone can create, access, utilise and share information and knowledge. Thus, enabling individuals, communities and peoples to achieve their full potential in promoting their sustainable development and improving their quality of life. IMDA has incorporated and/or taken into consideration the followingClauss 7,8,9,10,11,17 of WSIS Principles into the design and implementation of SMEsGD. SMEsGD is a WOG effort for broad-based digitalisation of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). IMDA partners closely with ESG, SSG, WSG, ITM lead agencies, industry partners, trade associations and chambers (TACs) to deliver the programme. SMEs are at the heart of Singapore’s economy, making up 99% of all business enterprises, employing two thirds of the workforce and contributing nearly half of Singapore’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). With digital technology transforming every sector of Singapore’s economy, it is essential that we ensure our SMEs make the most of digital technologies to improve operations and generate new revenue. Digitalisation has been demonstrated to have significant positive benefits for SMEs and larger enterprises in Singapore. A Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) study found that SMEs achieved increases in value added (VA) and productivity of 26% and 17% respectively. Singapore’s Committee on the Future Economy (CFE) had recommended building strong digital capabilities to help SMEs sharpen their competitiveness in 2017. In support of this recommendation, IMDA rolled out the 4-year (FY2017 to FY2020) SMEsGD programme on 1 April 2017, which aims to “make going digital simple for SMEs”. The programme was expanded and extended in 2019 to include more digital solution adoptions by SMEs and to cover more ITM sectors.