Uniform Fee For Waste Collection For Remaining Four Sectors From 1 Jan 2015

Part of NEA’s move to consolidate waste collection sectors to enable greater efficiency in solid waste management industry

Singapore, 8 December 2014 – 

Residents living in the Ang Mo Kio-Toa Payoh, Hougang-Punggol, Woodlands-Yishun and Tanglin-Bukit Merah sectors will join the Uniform Fee (UF) scheme for the collection of refuse from domestic premises with effect from 1 January 2015.  The UF rate is $7.49 per month and $24.81 per month for HDB and landed premises respectively (both fees inclusive of GST).

2          Since the UF scheme was introduced in 2012, households across different parts of Singapore have been moving onto a common (uniform) fee for waste collection service, according to their housing type. It started in two sectors, Pasir Ris-Tampines and Bedok, in July 2012, followed by another three sectors, Jurong, Clementi and City, in October 2013. With effect from 1 January 2015, the UF scheme will cover the remaining four sectors, Ang Mo Kio-Toa Payoh, Hougang-Punggol, Woodlands-Yishun and Tanglin-Bukit Merah sectors.

3          The UF scheme, announced by NEA in May 2012, will see all households in Singapore paying the same fees for the same tier of refuse collection services. This paves the way for the Public Waste Collection (PWC) sectors to be consolidated from the current nine to six sectors progressively, each time a new PWC contract for the respective sector commences (Annex A shows the old and new PWC sectors).

4          Consolidation of sectors will allow the PWC industry to realise efficiency gains and raise standards and productivity. This will lessen the impact of rising costs in labour and operations on refuse collection fees, and help to moderate fees in future. As for lower and middle-income households, U-Save rebates are automatically credited to the utilities accounts of eligible households, which would help to offset the increase in refuse collection fees for the affected sectors.

5          Besides the consolidation of the PWC sectors and implementation of the UF, NEA has also been working with the industry to raise overall standards and productivity. This contributes towards developing an efficient waste collection and disposal system while upholding high standards of public hygiene and ensuring better service delivery to residents.    

6          The next UF review is scheduled in January 2017. NEA will review the UF every two years. The public can find out which PWC sector they belong to at http://app2.nea.gov.sg/docs/default-source/energy-waste/waste-management/refuse-collection-fees-for-all-sectors-(wef-1-sep-2014).pdf?sfvrsn=0). They can also call the NEA’s hotline at 1800-2255 632 for more information about the public waste collection scheme.

~~ End ~~

For more information, please contact

Call Centre: 1800-CALL NEA (1800-2255 632)
Email: Contact_NEA@nea.gov.sg

Annex A

The current PWC sectors

The new PWC sectors

- wong chee tat :)

Waste collection fee for residents in four sectors to be raised next year

Waste collection fee for residents in four sectors to be raised next year

Residents in the Ang Mo Kio-Toa Payoh, Hougang-Punggol, Woodlands-Yishun and Tanglin-Bukit Merah sectors will be paying more for waste collection from Jan 1, 2015 onwards.

SINGAPORE: Residents in the Ang Mo Kio-Toa Payoh, Hougang-Punggol, Woodlands-Yishun and Tanglin-Bukit Merah sectors will be paying more for waste collection from Jan 1, 2015 onwards.

HDB households will pay a uniform fee of S$7.49 per month - they used to pay between S$4.82 and S$5.81. Those living in landed homes will pay S$24.81 per month, up from between S$17.12 and S$19.75 previously.

These four sectors are the last to be covered under the Uniform Fee (UF) scheme for the collection of refuse from domestic premises, introduced by the National Environment Agency (NEA) in May 2012. Under this scheme, households in Singapore will pay the same fees for the same tier of refuse collections services.

To help offset the increase in refuse collection fees for the lower- and middle-income households in the affected sectors, U-Save rebates are automatically credited to the utilities accounts of eligible households, NEA said in a media release on Monday (Dec 8).

NEA also said the UF scheme paves the way for the Public Waste Collection (PWC) sectors to be consolidated from the current nine to six sectors progressively, each time a new PWC contract for the respective sector starts.

The consolidation of sectors will allow the public waste collection industry to realise efficiency gains and raise standards and productivity, NEA added. These improvements will lessen the impact of rising costs in labour and operations on refuse collection fees, and help to moderate fees in future, the agency said.

The scheme's next review is scheduled in Jan 2017, and NEA will review it every two years.

Members of the public can find out which PWC sector they belong to at NEA's website.

- CNA/dl

- wong chee tat :)

Expect 5% annual transport fare hikes till 2016

Expect 5% annual transport fare hikes till 2016

Before slowing to 2.7% yearly increases.

"With an estimated 8% of accumulated fare revision not implemented in 2012/13, we expect significant fare hikes of 5% p.a. over the next three years, before reverting to a more normalised annual rise of 2.7%," said Maybank Kim Eng in its latest land transport sector report.

"Coupled with our long-term ridership forecasts of 2.3% p.a., we expect sector revenue to be 43% higher in 2018," it added.

The research firm further noted that the Downtown line (DTL) will open in three stages over the next four years.

The resulting traffic cannibalisation once DTL Stage 2 operates in 2016 would have a "significant" negative impact on SMRT, and Maybank believes the market has largely ignored this negative implication and expect growing concern in the years ahead.

"We see the current business models for the PTOs as unsustainable and expect imminent changes. We also expect a transition to the new rail financing (NRF) framework for all existing rail lines over the next few years," reckoned Maybank.

This led the research firm to prefer ComfortDelGro among land transport stocks, given the fact that it is "anchored by stable acquisition-led earnings growth from its overseas units" and that comfortDelGro's valuation remains more attractive than SMRT.


- wong chee tat :)

Spitting incident at Woodlands Interchange under investigation: SMRT

Spitting incident at Woodlands Interchange under investigation: SMRT

POSTED: 23 Oct 2013 14:47

The incident was captured on video and has gone viral. It shows a man spitting at two commuters in a dispute over the jumping of queue.

SINGAPORE: Public transport operator SMRT has said a spitting incident at a Woodlands bus interchange on Tuesday is under police investigation.

The incident was captured on video and has gone viral. It shows a man spitting at two commuters in a dispute over the jumping of queue.

They were queuing for bus service 950 at the bus interchange in the evening.

Posting on its Facebook page on Wednesday, SMRT said its staff alerted the police at the onset of the incident at 9.30pm on Tuesday.

It said its security staff had intervened to guide the aggressor away while waiting for police to arrive.

The video has drawn a rash of online comments over the past hours.

- CNA/de


- wong chee tat :)

How Social Media Can Help a Business Profit

- wong chee tat :)

Jurong's retail space almost doubles with opening of new mall JEM

Jurong's retail space almost doubles with opening of new mall JEM

    By Yvonne Chan
    POSTED: 05 Aug 2013 9:07 PM
   
The supply of retail mall space in Jurong has almost doubled from the second quarter of last year with the opening of the new shopping mall JEM in June this year.

SINGAPORE: The supply of retail mall space in Jurong has almost doubled from the second quarter of last year with the opening of the new shopping mall JEM in June this year.

The retail mall space jumped by 573,600 square feet in June, to nearly 1.2 million square feet.

Including the IMM Building and JCube, retail mall space in Jurong had amounted to 613,000 square feet in terms of net lettable area at the second quarter 2012.

And it is expected to increase by another 35 per cent by the end of this year, with the opening of Capitaland's new mall Westgate, which has a net lettable area of 416,000 square feet.

Analysts said asking rents for retail malls in Jurong is expected to remain relatively stable at around S$10 to S$15 per square foot.

Still, as the Jurong area becomes more saturated with shopping malls, experts said mall operators must tweak their tenant composition to stay ahead of the competition.

One such mall operator is the IMM Building, which was first opened to the public in 1991 and is one of the oldest malls in the Jurong district.

IMM is re-positioning itself from a mall that sells mostly furnishings, to one that also boasts the largest number of outlet stores in Singapore.

The mall has a home and furnishing section on Level 3 called “I'MM Home”, which houses more than 50 furniture and interior design stores that meet almost all home renovation needs.

CapitaMalls Asia, which acquired the mall in 2003, said “I'MM Home” will continue to be a key feature of IMM's offerings.

IMM's makeover comes hot on the heels of the latest addition to the Jurong Gateway area, JEM, which is developed by Lend Lease.

With the onslaught of new malls, competition for the consumer dollar will get tougher.

Alan Cheong, the senior director of research and consultancy at Savills, said: “What would sell are the traditional suburban malls, where the F&B component is about 30 per cent.  And over time, that composition could also rise to 40-45 per cent.

“The core of this Jurong East district is where you see the interchange, where it is now JEM, Westgate will probably be one of the key anchor malls.

"They're positioned slightly differently. JEM is more mid-upper but Westgate is more on the mid to higher end.”

Under the Urban Redevelopment Authority's (URA's) masterplan, the Jurong Lake district, which comprises Jurong Gateway and Lakeside, will be transformed into a unique lakeside destination for business and leisure.

Jurong Gateway is also set to be Singapore's largest regional centre -- 2.5 times the size of Tampines Regional Centre.

Other than Westgate's debut before the end of the year, another retail mall, Big Box, with an area measuring 230,000 square feet, is also expected to open in 2014.

As the Jurong Lake district continues to mature, it is expected to attract more residential and commercial property developers over the next few years.

Experts said that means existing retail mall developers must revamp their tenant mix or move towards more mixed development projects.

Chua Yang Liang, the head of research at Jones Lang LaSalle, said: "In the past, the catchment income population was more working class at the time. Increasingly, you've seen a rise of mid- to high-income groups moving back to the Jurong area, so that is the population that is under-served.

"So for the other emerging groups, you have to start looking at where's their niche, which sector is under-provided. With a growing population there, one thing you can look towards is really specialised services -- towards the growing family with children, ageing population, childcare, daycare, nursery care, etc.”

With more malls and more stores, one thing is certain, the consumer is spoilt for choice.

- CNA/nd

- wong chee tat :)

CPI for general households eases to 2.8% in H1 2013

CPI for general households eases to 2.8% in H1 2013

POSTED: 23 Jul 2013 8:11 PM

Singapore's inflation moderated in the first half of 2013. The Department of Statistics (DOS) said the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for general households eased to 2.8 per cent from January to June 2013.

SINGAPORE: Singapore's inflation moderated in the first half of 2013. The Department of Statistics (DOS) said the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for general households eased to 2.8 per cent from January to June 2013.

That is less than the 4.1 per cent increase in the second half of 2012.

CPI excluding imputed rentals on owner-occupied accommodation (OOA) fell from 3.3 per cent in the second half of 2012 to 2.2 per cent in the first half of 2013.

DOS said the lower income group experienced a smaller increase in CPI compared to the middle and higher income groups. The increase in CPI (excluding imputed rental on OOA) for the lowest 20 per cent income group was 1.3 per cent.

For the middle 60 per cent income group, the increase was 2.1 per cent, and for the highest 20 per cent income group, the increase was 2.5 per cent.

In terms of CPI (for all items), the inflation rate for the lowest 20 per cent was 3.1 per cent; for the middle 60 per cent, it was 2.9 per cent; and for the highest 20 per cent income group, it was 2.7 per cent.

DOS said food and car costs contributed to the increases in the CPIs for all income groups.

However, the DOS noted that these increases were partially offset by lower electricity tariffs, a larger quantum of government rebates on service and conservancy charges (S&CC) for HDB households, and the lower government concessionary levy for foreign domestic helpers.

- CNA/ac

- wong chee tat :)

SMEs' confidence dips despite improved outlook for global economy

SMEs' confidence dips despite improved outlook for global economy

    By Wong Siew Ying
    POSTED: 22 Apr 2013 9:47 PM
  
Small-and-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) have wound back their expectations for sales and profits in the second and third quarters of 2013, according to the Singapore Business Federation and DP Information Group's SME Index.

SINGAPORE: Confidence among Singapore's business owners has dimmed, despite an improved outlook for the global economy.

Small-and-medium sized enterprises (SMEs) have wound back their expectations for sales and profits in the second and third quarters of 2013, according to the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) and DP Information Group's SME Index.

The score for turnover expectations fell from 5.44 to 5.36, while profit expectations fell from 5.33 to 5.12 compared to the previous six months.

SMEs also expect it to be more difficult to borrow money during the next two quarters, with the access to funding index score dropping to 5.02 from 5.06 previously.

This, in spite of a three-point increase in the overall outlook for SMEs to 55 points, amid signs of recovery in the US, growth in China and the Eurozone averting a financial crisis.

In a joint statement, SBF and DP Information said improvements in the global economy are not expected to translate into improved sales and profits.

"Inflation, high business costs and tightened foreign workers policy continue to be a drag on businesses and the economy," said Ho Meng Kit, CEO of Singapore Business Federation.

"Businesses are mindful that they need to urgently raise productivity through capital investment, as well as look to alternative markets to make up for the shortfall from traditional trading partners," he said.

However, despite the downbeat expectations for growth, SMEs are still investing in technology and equipment to raise efficiency.

"This increased capital expenditure comes at a time when SMEs are less positive about their profit outlook," said Chen Yew Nah, managing director of DP Information Group.

"It means Singapore SMEs understand they need to make productivity improvements now. It is investment they can no longer put off," Mr Chen said.

The SME Index is based on 3,000 interviews with SME owners and managers, as well as companies' actual financial performance.

- CNA/ck

- wong chee tat :)

Inflation, global slowdown biggest load on economy in 2013: analysts

Inflation, global slowdown biggest load on economy in 2013: analysts
By Linette Lim | Posted: 17 December 2012 1704 hrs
     
SINGAPORE: Global slowdown aside, inflation may be the biggest load on the Singapore economy next year.

And some of that pressure is self-made as the economy endures yet another go at restructuring.

Logistics, financial services and high-tech manufacturing are just some of the industries that make up Singapore's competitive external economy, which does most of its business with the rest of the world and pays top dollar for skilled labour.

Contrast that with the less efficient domestic economy, which makes use of low-cost foreign manpower to do jobs in retail, construction and cleaning.

That is Singapore's two-tiered economy, which is currently undergoing a major restructuring.

OCBC Bank's head of treasury research and strategy, Selena Ling, said: "With a very tight labour market and the indications that the foreign manpower constraints are going to remain in order to promote productivity growth, it looks like labour costs and some of the other cost elements, such as rentals, logistics, are going to remain fairly tight.

"I think we may not see as much relief on the inflation front in the near term, so this actually puts the April 2013 monetary policy review very likely to be on an unchanged footing at this juncture."

Policies that curb the use of foreign workers have contributed to higher wages.

At around 4-4.5 percent, headline inflation is more than double the historical average, boosted by other domestic factors like accommodation costs and car prices.

At the same time, turning off the flow of cheap manpower will continue to crimp growth -- something that is of no help to exports which are curtailed by weak global demand.

Nomura Singapore's executive director and Southeast Asia economist, Euben Paracuelles, said: "We have a relatively weak backdrop. In terms of how we see Europe, for example, it will still be a bigger recession in terms of our forecast and therefore, Europe still being a significant trading partner of Singapore, will pose a drag.

"Domestically, I think the government needs to manage this transition relatively well. There will be some tightening in domestic policies; labour policies will also be very tight, and that could lead to some weakness in overall investment spending."

Economists said it is unlikely that the Singapore government's stand on restructuring will change, despite the current macroeconomic headwinds.

This means that people will have to accept a lower level of economic growth now, for more sustainable growth in the future.

Growth is expected to come in at 1.5 percent this year, and between 1 and 3 percent in 2013, according to Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry.

RBS' vice president of economics research, Enrico Tanuwidjaja, said: "Singapore should be allowed to ride the volatility of slower growth, because externally, it is weak.

"Of course, we'll be sub-optimal, achieving growth below 3 percent this year and next. But after that, with a more diversified economy, not just from manufacturing but also from services, I'm pretty sure that growth will eventually edge higher."

Edge higher it might, but the restructuring currently underway may mean Singapore will have to adapt to a slower, long-term economic growth path.

- CNA/lp

- wong chee tat :)

Rising cost of living is Singapore's top concern: survey

Rising cost of living is Singapore's top concern: survey
Posted: 17 February 2011 2333 hrs

SINGAPORE: The rising cost of living is what Singaporeans are most concerned about, based on feedback gathered by the government's e-engagement platform, REACH.

The inputs were collected over the past two months ahead of Budget 2011, to be delivered by Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam on Friday.

Besides bread-and-butter issues, Singaporeans have also suggested ways to continue growing the economy and building a better home for all Singaporeans.

To gather feedback on the Budget announcement, various REACH channels will be opened online.

These include a dedicated REACH online discussion forum for Budget issues, webchats, email, SMS, Twitter, and Facebook.

A new initiative called Insights will also be introduced this year, where netizens can get expert opinion and more in-depth discussion on the Budget.

Members of the public may also tune in to Talkback on 938LIVE on Monday, February 21.

REACH Supervisory Panel Chairman Dr Amy Khor and Vice Chairman Dr Maliki Osman will be sharing and engaging callers on their views on the Budget.

The REACH Roving Exhibition has also been revamped to include a new look and more interactive elements to engage visitors.

The exhibition will be set up in the heart of the business district next week to engage professionals, managers, executives and businessmen and solicit their views on Budget 2011.

REACH will also be hosting three webchats in English, Malay and Chinese to seek views from the public on the Budget.

- CNA/cc/ir

- wong chee tat :)

US firms post best job gains in three years

US firms post best job gains in three years
Posted: 01 December 2010 2153 hrs

WASHINGTON : US private sector employment saw strong gains in November, with payrolls expanding by 93,000 -- the largest jump in three years, payrolls firm ADP said Wednesday.

"This month's ADP national employment report shows an acceleration of employment and suggests the nation's employment situation is brightening somewhat," the firm said.

The 10th consecutive month of gains offered hope that the job sector, still convalescing after a brutal economic recession, was on the mend.

But ADP warned "employment gains of this magnitude are not sufficient to lower the unemployment rate".

That echoes concerns by Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke, who on Tuesday warned current high levels of unemployment could become entrenched and have a "very long-term effect" on the US economy.

Describing job creation as "probably the most important economic issue facing America today," Bernanke cautioned on the risks of long-term unemployment.

With nearly 40 percent of the US workforce unemployed for more than six months, fears are growing that that high jobless rates may be more than a temporary result of a brutal recession.

"This is very unusual and very worrisome," Bernanke said, warning that workers could become detached from the workforce, skills could erode over time and firms become more skeptical about the unemployed.

"This could have a very long-term effect on people's wages, on their employability," Bernanke said.

He added the world's largest economy was not growing fast enough to handle even the number of people entering the workforce, with 2.0 percent to 2.5 percent growth needed to just to keep up.

The Fed has predicted gross domestic product growth will hit 2.4-2.5 percent this year.

The unemployment rate remained stuck at 9.6 percent in October for the third month in a row.

The November jobs report is due on Friday.

- AFP/ch

- wong chee tat :)

Economists raise 2010 growth outlook for Singapore to 6.5%

Economists raise 2010 growth outlook for Singapore to 6.5%
By Desmond Wong | Posted: 10 March 2010 1229 hrs

	Photos 1 of 1
	Video Economists raise 2010 growth outlook for Singapore to 6.5%

 

SINGAPORE: Economists have upped their growth outlook for Singapore as the city-state's key industries continue to rebound from last year's recession, according to a central bank poll.

The Monetary Authority of Singapore's survey of 20 private-sector economists showed they expected average growth of 6.5 per cent this year, higher than the previous forecast of 5.5 per cent in December.

The economists also raised their outlook for the island-state's major industries including manufacturing, which is now predicted to expand an annual 9.7 per cent this year - higher than the previous forecast of 6.3 per cent.

Wholesale and retail trade is seen growing 8.4 per cent instead of 7.0 per cent while construction is tipped to expand 8.9 per cent, from a previous projection of 7.1 per cent.

The government in February upgraded its 2010 economic growth outlook to 4.5-6.5 per cent from 3.0-5.0 per cent.

Singapore's economy contracted 2.0 per cent last year due to the global economic downturn. But it has managed to pull out of recession and rebounded strongly.

Improving global trade and continued consumption by major Asian markets like China spurred a rapid recovery in the beginning of this year.

Song Seng Wun, regional economist at CIMB-GK Research, said: "We see a very strong start to the year for the manufacturing sector, led by the pharmaceuticals sector, as well as a firmer contribution from the tech sector itself. So, collectively it looks like we're off to a very strong start for the year, and for the first quarter. Indeed the first-half performance may lift the overall figures for the full year itself."

Private-sector economists surveyed by the central bank said they expected GDP growth of 9.5 per cent for the first quarter.

Sector-wise, they said the long-term prospects for the financial services sector remain strong although it is expected to lag behind the others in the first quarter.

David Cohen, director of Asian economic forecasting at Action Economics, said: "Those numbers can fluctuate quarter on quarter, and as far as the financial services, the outlook is still bright in the long term. The fact that the stock market has bounced back nicely from a year ago should help support investment activity."

As for 2011, GDP growth estimates for Singapore came in at 5.5 percent. Experts said the lower expectation is the result of the inventory restocking cycle being over, and concerns over the pace of recovery in the more developed OECD economies.

- CNA/yb/ir

- wong chee tat :) 

Survey shows poly graduates in high demand despite downturn

Survey shows poly graduates in high demand despite downturn
By Mustafa Shafawi, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 06 January 2010 1136 hrs

	Photos 1 of 1 Office workers in Singapore
	Video Survey shows poly graduates in high demand despite downturn

SINGAPORE: Despite the recession, diploma-holders appear to have no trouble finding work. A recent survey by Singapore's five polytechnics showed that nearly nine in 10 graduates last year were employed, with a growing number seeking temporary jobs.

Fresh grad employment rate stood at 88.3 per cent, while post-NS employment rate was 87.7 per cent.

Renugah Balachandran graduated from Republic Polytechnic last year. Within a month, she found a job with the Singapore Navy, under a scheme that will bond her for four years.

She said: "I wanted a stable job once I graduated so that I don't have to sit down and think that - 'why did I study?'"

Stability is certainly a big draw for the growing number of diploma holders who are looking at the public sector, which also started hiring more aggressively in 2009.

The healthcare and education sectors were among those that stepped up recruitment efforts.

The survey showed that 18.9 per cent of fresh polytechnic graduates found jobs in the civil service, up from 14.3 per cent in 2008 and 12.3 per cent in 2007.
Among post-NS graduates, the proportion went up to 27.3 per cent.

Tan Hang Cheong, principal, Singapore Polytechnic, said: "Last year, the government opened up more places because of the recession. The public sector has now offered better career development, advances, for diploma graduates.

"We hear stories of graduates who've joined the public sector and they've been offered scholarships for further studies and further development if they're doing well in their job."

Pay could be another reason.

Renugah earns about S$2,300 a month including allowance, much higher than the S$1,776 gross her peers earn on average.

Post-National Service graduates earn about S$2,130 on average.

Starting salaries for fresh diploma-holders have dipped and recruiters said anecdotally, wages at bigger firms have gone down to a bigger extent than what smaller firms are offering. Still, the draw remains.

Peter Haglund, country manager, Manpower Inc Singapore, said: "Most of what these MNCs have is a whole package of career management, career prospects and personnel development, which many of the small companies don't have.

"These benefits cost money as well. If you look at the whole employment package, they might not offer less value, but they might offer you less gross salary."

Highest earners are those in the maritime category, with starting pay of S$1,970 gross. Media and Design graduates got the least, at just S$1,642 gross.

With the economy still in recession early last year, more poly graduates chose part-time or temporary work - one in four compared to one in five in the previous survey.

The reasons are varied. Some are holding out for better job opportunities while others have opted for further studies.

Recruiters added that as companies find increasingly flexible ways to manage their manpower, the type of contract work that is being offered has also become increasingly attractive.

Graduate employment data for degree holders is expected to be out in March.
But a survey by the Singapore Human Resource Institute showed that in August 2009, while entry level pay for diploma holders rose slightly from February, that for degree holders dipped.

For instance, those with engineering degrees were offered on average S$2,451, compared to S$2,500 six months before. 

- CNA/vm

 - wong chee tat :)

Japanese logistics firm Yamato sets up parcel delivery service in S'pore

Japanese logistics firm Yamato sets up parcel delivery service in S'pore
By Mok Fei Fei, 938LIVE
     
SINGAPORE: Japanese logistics firm Yamato is setting up shop in Singapore. Yamato Transport, a unit of Yamato Holdings, has launched its express door-to-door small parcel delivery service in Singapore.

The service, called TA-Q-BIN, is the firm's first independent domestic operation outside Japan

The firm said Singapore was chosen because it offered a pro-business environment and sophisticated consumer base.

Anchoring Yamato's Singapore operations will be its standard express door-to-door delivery service, which the firm expects will be heavily utilised by firms.

Yamato will also launch a chilled and frozen refrigerated delivery service that allows users to send perishable items such as seafood and ice-cream.

Currently, 10 million domestic deliveries are made in Singapore each year and Yamato expects the figure to rise with its entrance.

Beyond Singapore, Yamato also plans to establish operations in other parts of Asia, starting with Shanghai, China in 2010.

- 938LIVE/vm

- wong chee tat :)

Singapore to keep manufacturing an "integral" part of economy

Singapore to keep manufacturing an "integral" part of economy
Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE: Singapore aims to keep its manufacturing industry an "integral" part of the economy as it seeks new strategies to help it grow faster than other advanced countries.

Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang told Bloomberg that the government is "very reluctant" to let the industry’s contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) drop "sharply". This is due to its multiplier effects on other parts of the economy, including logistics and business services.

Manufacturing accounts for about a quarter of Singapore’s GDP.

Mr Lim said that over the years, Singapore has built up some competitive strengths and good market share of some niches, in areas such as electronics, pharmaceuticals and maintenance overhaul of aircraft.

While he recognised that some segments of manufacturing may not be competitive in Singapore and may have to move out, there is constant restructuring taking place.

On the Economic Strategies Committee, the minister said he believes the committee studying the importance of manufacturing would subscribe to this importance and see how Singapore can continue to encourage manufacturing investments to take place here and to grow it.

The committee was formed in May and is expected to unveil its main recommendations in January.

— 938LIVE/ir

How will Singapore continue to compete and yet be different from the rest of the world?

- wong chee tat :)

Roche opens US$500m manufacturing plant in Singapore

Roche opens US$500m manufacturing facility in Singapore
By Yasmine Yahya, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : Swiss healthcare firm Roche has officially opened a US$500 million biologics manufacturing plant in Singapore.

The facility in Tuas comprises two manufacturing plants - one will produce two cancer drugs, Avastin and Herceptin, while the other will manufacture a medicine called Lucentis which treats patients with age-related macular degeneration, an eye disease.

The firm has no plans to expand the facility, as its global operations have sufficient capacity for its current and future manufacturing pipeline. But capacity is expected to be ramped up by improving manufacturing yields and productivity.

"This plant was designed for the E.coli or bacterial fermentation platform, but we can produce products like Nutropin, a growth hormone, here. And we also have other products in our pipeline that could potentially be produced here in the future," said Jim Miller, GM of Technical Operations at Roche, Singapore.

Roche has six biologics manufacturing sites around the world, with the one in Singapore being its first in the region. Miller said one reason why the firm decided to enter the Asian market was because of its growing sales potential.

"The market is changing. Where the US and Europe have been the predominant market leaders in the past for the types of medicines that we make, we really see that one of largest populations for cancer will be in Asia. So being here in Singapore is a very important part of the whole plan to supply, hopefully, the world someday with medicines," said Miller.

The Singapore facility currently employs 330 workers, and this figure is expected to rise to over 400 by the end of next year.

- CNA /ls

- wong chee tat :)

US jobless rate hits 10.2% as 190,000 jobs lost

US jobless rate hits 10.2% as 190,000 jobs lost

WASHINGTON - US unemployment rate shot up to 10.2 percent in October as another 190,000 jobs were shed, the Labor Department said Friday.

The report highlighted ongoing struggles in the labor market: the jobless rate was the highest since 1983 but the number of jobs lost narrowed to the lowest level in over a year.

Overall, the Labor Department monthly report - one of the best indicators of
economic momentum - was worse than expectations for a 10 percent jobless rate and 175,000 job losses.

- AFP/ir

- wong chee tat :)

1,000 jobs in biologics sector when six plants fully operational

1,000 jobs in biologics sector when six plants fully operational
By Hetty Musfirah Abdul Khamid, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 03 November 2009 2035 hrs

SINGAPORE: Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam says more than 1,000 highly skilled jobs will open up when the six biologics plants being implemented are fully operational.

These jobs will appeal to both fresh graduates and mid-career professionals from related sectors such as the chemicals, electronics and processing sectors.

Mr Tharman said this at the opening of Swiss pharmaceutical giant Roche's biologics manufacturing plant in Tuas.

He said the increased efficacy of biologics-based treatments will result in a surge in demand for manufacturing capacity in the coming years.

Singapore, he said, has built up the key capabilities and resources needed to meet the needs of companies in the industry.

In the last four years, leading companies have invested about US$2 billion to set up six commercial-scale manufacturing plants in Singapore.

- CNA/ir

- wong chee tat :)

Companies brace themselves for staff attrition as economy improves

Companies brace themselves for staff attrition as economy improves
Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE: Companies are bracing themselves for staff attrition as the economy improves. A poll by global management consultancy, Hay Group, said they are doing so by investing to retain high performing employees.

Dr Stephen Choo, regional director of Hay Group Insight, said employees in Singapore feel that they have stretched themselves to the limit to help their companies in the downturn, and a talent exodus might happen if nothing is done to reward and recognize the sacrifices made by employees.

According to Dr Choo, companies need to think of more ways to engage their employees.

"Talent are certainly very motivated to remain with the company if there are lots of development opportunities — that the company could actually work with them in terms of enhancing their skills and talent," said Dr Choo.

"Also, training is very important. Certainly leadership is still very important because lots of talent are motivated to stay with the company if there is a good role model they can look up to," he added.

Other motivating factors include offering employees more resources to work with, creating an environment that promotes greater teamwork, and also giving them more empowerment and authority.

Dr Choo said that companies polled are planning on average to give a salary increase of 3 per cent in 2010, as compared to 2.3 per cent this year.

The sectors doling out the highest salary increases will be the Oil & Gas, Chemicals and Insurance sectors.

The poll also showed that the percentage of companies cutting or freezing pay has dropped from 58 per cent in March to 18 per cent in October.

According to the Hay Group’s survey, variable bonuses for this year will remain modest at 1.8 months, and are forecast to be marginally lower at 1.5 months in 2010. The lower bonus predicted in 2010 is due to the unclear economic outlook for the next three to six months, explained Dr Choo.

He said: "As a whole, most industries are quite conservative about their forecast because there is no clear indication at this point in time that the economy is certainly moving up north.

"What we can see so far is that there are conflicting stories about some industries seeing an upturn, but at the same time there are also companies which are laying off staff as well."

— CNA/sc

- wong chee tat :)

Singaporeans cautiously upbeat after 2009 GDP forecast upgraded

Singaporeans cautiously upbeat after 2009 GDP forecast upgraded
By Cheryl Lim, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 12 October 2009 2207 hrs


SINGAPORE: Singapore has raised its 2009 gross domestic product (GDP) outlook, after the economy grew 0.8 per cent in the three months to September from a year ago.

While the GDP will fall in 2009, the government revised its full-year forecast to a contraction of 2.0 to 2.5 per cent, better than the previous estimate of negative 4.0 to 6.0 per cent growth.

The new GDP forecast indicates Singapore's economy may be in the clear. But many Singaporeans are cautiously optimistic about the next few months.

The Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is advising members to gear up in terms of capacity and manpower, and seize the opportunities that will hopefully start emerging by mid-next year.

Meanwhile, the Singapore Malay Chamber of Commerce and Industry says the situation may be improving. But some of its members feel the economy is not recovering as fast as it should.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) say they have yet to see the trickle-down effects of the changes.

Inderjit Singh, MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC, said: "Companies are starting to see a pickup in demand and improvement in financial performance, but this is not reflected in increases in salaries so quickly.

"So retailers can expect to see a similar amount of sales or level of sales compared to the past because people don't suddenly feel very rich."

As such, Mr Inderjit expects next quarter's GDP to remain in negative territory.

Despite that, one analyst is predicting a positive outlook for the year-end.

Song Seng Wun, CEO and regional analyst, CIMB-GK Research, said: "The economy shrank quite significantly towards the end of last year. This will mean year-on-year numbers could look quite impressive.

"We could see year-end GDP in the region of two to five percent, depending on how manufacturing performs.

"For the full year, we could end up with a figure that is slightly better than the revised government estimate."

The Monetary Authority of Singapore expects next year's GDP growth to be slower than in previous post-recession periods.

It said inflation is likely to be around zero per cent this year, before rising to one to two per cent in 2010.

- CNA/ir

- wong chee tat :)