Editorial Message. Furthermore, informative sessions have been conducted to update companies on the available government assistance programmes.

Transcription

1 UEN : S97SS0046G Jan Mar 2013 Editorial Message In spite of ASPRI s short span of a quarter into the year, many events took place which saw plenty of opportunities for friendships/partnership formed for our members and council members and their clients. Besides these, a whole range of networking events initiated by ASPRI, the Association has also been working closer than ever with government agencies, creating greater engagement with our members through the Association s activities. Furthermore, informative sessions have been conducted to update companies on the available government assistance programmes. Read ahead to find out more about our activities. Feel free to approach any of our Secretariat staff and we will be more glad to assist you on any industry matters. Editorial Advisory: Mr. Charles Quek (President) Mr. Lim Jit Say (Executive Director) Editor: Ms. Chantal Quek (Senior Manager), Ms. Corlissa Shen (Executive We welcome contributions of news related to the process supporting industry. Please send your contributions or queries to: chantal@aspri.com.sg ASPRI Secretariat 26 Boon Lay Way #01-88 Tradehub 21 S pore t: f: pg 2 Lohei Dinner cum MOU Signing pg 3 Inaugural Youth Futsal Tournament pg 4 Excusive Annual Dialogue pg 6 Manpower Policy Updates pg 7 Secretariat Updates

2 A night of entertainment, celebration and festivities. Events Highlights ASPRI PROSPERITY LOHEI DINNER 2013 CUM MOU SIGNING WITH THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AGENCY (WDA) On 20 Feb 2013, ASPRI held its Annual Prosperity Lohei Dinner at the Singapore Island Country Club (SICC). The esteemed event saw an impressive 389 attendees from 86 member companies, including 50 invited guests from 20 companies, such as: ExxonMobil Shell Eastern Petroleum PCS, and others. Signing of MOU with Mr. Ang Chai Soon (Director of Healthcare Retail & Business Services Division, WDA) (3 rd from right) and the 5 participating companies. Mr. Charles Quek posing for a photo with ASPRI Advisor SMS Lee Yi Shyan ASPRI's Advisor, SMS. Lee Yi Shyan (Senior Minister of State, Minister of Trade and Industry & Ministry of National Development) graced the evening as Guest of Honour. Following the significant event of the MOU Signing for the Development and Apprenticeship (DNA) Programme, it was a night of performances by a live jazz band, a windfall lucky draw winnings and networking between our member companies, government agencies and plant owners. Press journalists from the Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) were also present to cover the event. Mr. Charles Quek was first elected into ASPRI Executive Council (previously called ASPRI Steering Committee) back in After serving ASPRI for ten years, he was elected as President in The Lohei was significant to him as he spoke as President on that evening and also highlighted the plans of ASPRI and its 7 committees. DID YOU KNOW? Through the DNA programme, WDA pledges $1 million to support these companies, by providing structured development and career progression pathways for 46 locals over the next 2 years. During which, these locals will undergo a 12-month programme that will comprise of company-specific training to facilitate entry of new workers into the industry. Plenty of opportunities for networking pg 2 Attendees truly enjoyed themselves that night These 5 participating companies are: Hai Leck Engineering (Pte) Ltd HSL Constructor Pte Ltd Mun Siong Engineering Ltd Rotary Engineering Ltd Shao Fook Engineering Pte Ltd

3 Events Highlights ASPRI S INAUGURAL YOUTH FUTSAL TOURNAMENT Despite the extreme weather conditions, the participants were all praises. On 2 March 2013, ASPRI held its Inaugural Youth Futsal Tournament. Initiated by the ASPRI s Youth Committee, registration was full with 16 participating teams in spite of it being our 1 st tournament. Despite the extreme weather conditions (where there was both scorching heat and pouring rain), the participants were all praises and had no complaints. The passion amongst the players were so strong that some were already looking forward to the next tournament. The event proved to be an excellent occasion where young people in the Process Supporting Industry could network, form new friendships, strengthen existing bonds, and still have fun. WINNERS Champion PCS (Petrochemical Corporation of Singapore Pte Ltd) Drew 2-2 with Austin United in normal time. Won 3-1 on penalties 1 st Runner Up Austin United (Austin Energy Asia Pte Ltd) Drew 2-2 with PCS in normal time. Lost 3-1 on penalties The Champions Team PCS 2 nd Runner Up Rotary Stars (Rotary Engineering Ltd) Beat ExxonMobil 2-1 in the 3 rd /4 th placing match Top Scorer Mr. Vijayakumar Naidu (Petrochemical Corporation of Singapore Pte Ltd) Golden Boot Award with 7 goals 1 st Runner Up Austin United pg 3

4 ASPRI ANNUAL EXCLUSIVE DIALOGUE WITH MOF, MOM, MTI AND IRAS On 3 April 2013, ASPRI held its Annual Exclusive Dialogue session for member companies and the various government agencies, namely the Ministry of Finance (MOF), Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Ministry of Trade and Industries (MTI) and also the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS). Presenters from the government agencies presented on updates from Budget 2013, such as corporate tax reduction, Wage Credit Scheme (WCS) and also PIC bonus. Thereafter, a Panel was present to answer questions and address issues raised by the attendees. It was an informative and candid, and many honest issues were raised. Panelists (from left): Mr. Tan Kiat How (Director of Economic Programmes) from MOF, Mrs. Penny Han (Divisional Director) from Ministry of Manpower (MOM), Mr. James Goh (Immediate Past President, ASPRI 9th Executive Council) from ASPRI, Mr. Chng Kai Fong (Director, Resource Division) from the Minsitry of Trade and Industries (MTI), and Mr. Anthony Tan (Manager, Corporate Tax Division) from Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS). The dialogue would be useful in helping businesses to sustain or even grow, especially for the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). g 4 Attendees who were present had the chance to raise their concerns and questions. Events Highlight MEMBERS NIGHT On the 3 rd April 2013, ASPRI had its Member's Night at the Lustre Lounge Bar, where members were encouraged to invite their clients to joim. The event saw a wonderful turnout of 76 representatives from 34 member companies. These representatives include CEOs, directors, business development managers and other top management personnel. Companies like CTCI, Eastman Chemical, ExxonMobil, Interion, Jurong Aromatics Corporation, Neste Oil, Shell were present. It was a fruitful time of networking for our attendees, forming budding friendships with one another and also catching up with old friends. ASPRI is pleased to receive sponsorship from our member companies for this Members Night, namely: HSL Constructor Pte Ltd Mun Siong Engineering Limited. If interested in sponsorships, please contact Ms. Chantal Quek at tel:

5 Business Developments ASPRI SEMINARS ON GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAMMES (GAP) Since the 20 th July 2012, ASPRI has been conducting a series of 5 seminars regarding the various Government Assistance Programmes on a regular basis. These seminars highlight those schemes arising from the recent Budget, andwould see a turn out of at least 20 attendees per session. Furthermore, the ASPRI-Institute of Process Industry (ASPRI-IPI) shared on the DNA Programme and other relevant training courses they provide, which would be beneficial for members. Topics covered during GAP: Corporate Income Tax (CIT) Rebate HR Capability Toolkit Business Advisory Programme (BAP) Wage Credit Scheme (WCS) Productivity Innovation Credit (PIC) Bonus Capability Development Grant (CDG), etc pg 5

6 Highlights from Singapore Budget 2013 Qualifying Criteria for S-Pass Workers MOM will increase the S Pass qualifying salary criteria from $2,000 to $2,200 as of 1 Jul 2013 (with older and more experienced S Pass applicants will need to qualify at higher salaries). It was also mentioned that Foreign Worker Levies, Work Passes and also S Passes will increase in 1 Jul 2014 and 1 Jul 2015 Changes to Foreign Worker Levy (FWL) Rates(current till 2015): Current 1 Jul Jan Jul 2013 Process (Work Permits) MYE MYEwaiver 87.5% 180/ % 210/ % 230/ % 250/ Process (Work Permits) MYE MYEwaiver Existing Schedule Proposed Extension 1 Jul Jul Jul 2015 R1/ R2 87.5% 250/ R1/ R2 87.5% 210/ /750 R1/ R2 87.5% 230/ /800 New Salary Rules for hiring Foreign Workers From July 2013, the salary threshold for full-time local will be increased from S$850 to S$1000. Locals earning below S$1000 but more than S$500 will be considered as 0.5 local worker regardless if he/ she is working as full or part-time worker. Wage Credit Scheme (WCS) Under this scheme, the government will co-fund 40% of Singaporean employees with wages $4,000 or below for YA NEW: PIC Bonus With minimum spending of $5,000 on qualifying PIC activities, businesses will enjoy a dollar-to-dollar matching bonus (up to $15,000) in addition to existing PIC benefits for YA This bonus seeks to support businesses in the costs incurred for improvement in productivity and innovation. Corporate Income Tax (CIT) Rebate Initiated by IRAS, a three-year CIT rebate of 30% capped at $30,000 per Year of Assessment ( YA ) from YA 2013 to YA This scheme is given to help companies alleviate rising business costs over the medium-term. Road Tax Rebate In order to relieve business costs, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has set aside $46 million to provide 30% road tax rebate for goods vehicles (including goodscum-passenger vehicles), buses and taxis for one year. this rebate will take place from 1 July Increase in CPF Contribution Rates CPF has introduced the increase in contribution rates for older workers (Aged 36 and above) with a monthly salary of $50 to $1,500. This scheme will commence in 1 Jan 2014, with the rates as follows: Income CPF Contribution rates Employer Employee >$50 - <$500 Raised to the full CPF contribution rates of $500 - <$750 workers earning more than $1,500. No mandatory CPF contributions required. Gradually increases with wage, from 0% (at income of $500/month) to the full contribution rates (at income of $750/month). $750 - <$1500 Raised to the full CPF contribution rates of workers earning more than $1,500. SME Talent Programme Launched by SPRING Singapore, together with industry chambers and trade associations and chambers, this programme seeks to attract polytechnic and ITE students over the next five years to join SMEs upon graduation. SOURCE: IE Singapore Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) Grant Established by IE Singapore, this grant will help Singapore-based companies overseas venture by co-funding 50% of eligible costs, capped at $20,000 per year for each company. For more information, do visit the IE Singapore website. pg 6 SOURCE:

7 COMMITTEES OF ASPRI Finance Committee Seeks to ensure proper accounting records, better utilization and higher growth of funds HR Working Committee Provide focus and direction to member companies in managing their Human Capital challenges Internationalisation Committee Promotes internationalization Helps member companies to explore, establish and expand overseas businesses through partnering with government agencies such as IE Singapore as well as overseas similar TACs and potential business partners Manpower Development Committee Development of training courses relevant to and necessary for our industry for more information, feel free to call our Secretariat office at: Membership & General Affairs Committee Aims to promote the best interests of ASPRI members through events/activities Also, to expand the network with relevant organizations, institutions, TACs and even government agencies ASPRI Youth Committee: Exists to gather the youths (Singaporeans and PRs) from the member companies who are in the Executive level and above to organise activities/ initiatives so as to benefit the process supporting industry as a whole and simultaneously creating a common identity among the youths. Productivity Committee Promotes productivity their mechanization, automation and best work practices Safety Committee Promotes safety awareness, to encourage continuous improvement in members safety practices Provides a platform for exchange of WSH initiatives UPCOMING EVENTS 22 May 2013: ASPRI Golf Tournament 12 June 2013: ASPRI Members Night STAFF TURNOVER Nov 2011 to Mar 2013 New Staff Arrivals The ASPRI Secretariat would liketo welcome three new members into its family: 1. Ms. Serene Tang Accounts Executive, ASPRI (contact serene@aspri.com.sg) 2. Ms. Caphine Lee General Manager, ASPRI-IPI (contact caphine@ipi.org.sg) 3. Ms. Sarah Heng Sales Manager, ASPRI-IPI (contact sarah@ipi.org.sg) Staff Resignations 1. Ms. May Ho Asst. Manager, Accounts, ASPRI 2. Mr. Wong Chin Yeow General Manager, ASPRI-IPI Pg 7