Highlights of SGTech’s 41st Annual General Meeting

Representatives from SGTech member companies attended SGTech's Annual General Meeting

On 16 September 2022, SGTech held our 41st Annual General Meeting (AGM), attended by 32 representatives from member companies in person at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre.

During FY21/22, SGTech navigated an eventful financial year as we emerged stronger from the uncertainties brought about by the pandemic and transited to this endemic period where once again, we can gather in person for many of our flagship activities, including our 40th Anniversary Gala.

We appreciate the support of our members and the leadership of the Council and Excos of our Chapters and Committees, and we look forward to achieving many more milestones on the road ahead.

Looking ahead to FY2022/23 and beyond

Our Chair, Mr Wong Wai Meng presented the Chair’s report on FY21/22 and our key initiatives for FY22/23

In his Chair’s Report, Mr Wong Wai Meng highlighted our 40th Anniversary Gala, which more than 1,000 guests attended. The event was graced by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, Senior Minister of State Tan Kiat How, Senior Minister of State Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State Zaqy Mohamad, and Professor Yaacob Ibrahim.

During the Gala, DPM Heng issued a birthday challenge to SGTech. He wants us “to keep abreast of skills needed for emerging tech areas, and to bring onboard more business leaders from all sectors so that tech is pervasive across all industries and companies.”

As we reflect on his birthday challenge, we looked at how we can continue to create opportunities for Singapore’s tech industry and contribute to placing Singapore on the world map for tech via our three strategic thrusts.

Firstly, we want to position Singapore as a global node for digital and data, built on trust.

Last September, since the formation of the Digital Trust Committee, we embarked on an ambitious project to conduct a Digital Trust Landscape Study which aimed to map out the state of play for Digital Trust and identify opportunities for Singapore to thrive as a Global Digital & Data Node.

We thank our Patron, Senior Minister of State Tan Kiat How for providing his invaluable advice on the direction of the study.

It will be launched at our new flagship event, the inaugural SGTech Global Future Series: Digital Trust Forum on 28 October 2022.

Our second strategic thrust is to lead the tech sector to take collective action and be part of the solution to Singapore's and global Sustainability.

We expanded the focus of our sustainability agenda to embrace the 5 pillars of Singapore Green plan. They are E-waste and packaging, Green Infrastructure, ESG Reporting, Circular Economy, FoodTech, and Energy. With this expanded focus, SGTech has formed our Sustainability Steering Committee in 2021 to lead Singapore’s tech sector.

Dr Amy Khor has also accepted our invitation to be our Patron for this Committee and under her patronage, SGTech looks forward to fostering closer public-private collaborations and strategically boosting the impact of our efforts.

Thirdly, we will continue to champion Talent for Tech, to power the growth of the industry and the broader Singapore economy.

We are collaborating with Workforce Singapore to launch a scaled-up version of our tech career services programmes to assist close to 600 career switchers across activities such as support groups, workshops and speed interviews.

As part of a national effort to support students and graduates from Polytechnics and ITEs, we have also expanded our work under the TechSkills Accelerator for ITE and Polytechnics (TIP) Alliance with IMDA and Singapore Computer Society. By designing new skills-based apprentice programmes and facilitating the matching with employers, we target to start with 1,000 students over the next 3 years.

In addition to our strategic thrusts, we have also launched three new initiatives:

a. TransformLife.sg – a multimedia publication that serves as the go-to resource for all things tech. This is a resource that is collectively contributed by tech leaders and other stakeholders to develop a richer understanding of future trends.

b. Alumni Leaders Network – formation of this network to recognise the contributions of all the members of the Councils, Chapters and Committees, who have been instrumental in bringing us to where we are. Senior Minister of State Zaqy Mohamad has been invited to be Advisor of this Alumni Leaders Network.

c. Digital Transformation Centre – to develop a holistic approach towards digitalisation (encompassing Strategy, Skills and Solutions). This will support 1,500 companies in their digitalisation journey over the next 3 years. Our partnership with Singapore Business Federation will assist 50 trade associations and chambers (TACs) in building their capabilities and leveraging them to support these companies.

Advocating for the industry

The existence of SGTech is very much dependent on our members and our focus is to continue to advocate for our members. Some of SGTech’s recommendations to the government for Budget 2022 were included in the announced measures. They include: the COMPASS Framework for Employment Pass holders, continued enhanced support under the Productivity Solutions Grant, and waiving the Skills Development Levy contribution as a criterion for the SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit, enabling micro and small enterprises to utilise it.

We have ensured the industry’s voice was heard in engagements on government procurement, the pilot Data Centre – Call for Application Exercise (DC-CFA) and the Public Consultation on Strengthening Protections for Platform Workers. We have also advocated at the international arena via our participation in the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) and ASOCIO.

We will continue to represent our industry by advocating for change and driving what enables tech innovation and accelerates tech adoption.

SGTech Council Elections

Finally, we proceeded to elect our new Council Members for FY22/23. The elected members of the Council are:

Chair: Mr Wong Wai Meng, Keppel Data Centres Holding Pte Ltd
1st Vice-Chair: Mr Andy Sim, Dell Global B.V. (Singapore Branch)
2nd Vice-Chair: Mr Gavin Chua, Meta Singapore Pte Ltd
Honorary Secretary: Ms Sharon Teo, Inspire-Tech Pte Ltd
Honorary Treasurer: Mr Nicholas Lee, EZ-Link Pte Ltd

Exco Members:
• Mr Howie Lau, NCS Group
• Mr Ivan Chang, TWDC
• Mr Lau Shih Hor, Elixir Technology Pte Ltd
• Mr Michael Yap, TNB Ventures Pte Ltd

Councillors:
• Ms Daphne Ng, Dedoco
• Mr Dutch Ng, I-Sprint Innovations Pte Ltd
• Ms Eileen Chua, SAP Singapore
• Ms Jamie Tan, Flying Cape Pte Ltd
• Ms Lim Hsin Yin, SAS Singapore
• Mr, Paul Lim, Fidelium Group
• Ms Serene Sia, Autodesk Asia Pte Ltd
• Ms Jessie Xia, ThoughtWorks Singapore Pte Ltd

SGTech gives our heartfelt thanks to all new and outgoing Councillors for their contribution to the association.

Let's Journey Together

Join SGTech, the association for Singapore's tech industry representing over 1,000 members. Contact us at [email protected].