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Business Times
22-07-2025
- Business
- Business Times
No one to be left behind in Singapore's AI push, says Tan Kiat How
[SINGAPORE] The government is doing all it can to help companies, workers and citizens harness the potential of artificial intelligence (AI), said Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information Tan Kiat How at an event on Tuesday (Jul 22). 'We are putting in place the infrastructure, the investment ecosystem to help companies and workers make full use of this technology', he said in a speech at the DBS 'Live Fulfilled' employee carnival. To help small businesses adopt AI, the government is running programmes such as SMEs Go Digital, which provides financial support for the adoption of advanced digital tools such as Gen AI, he said. There are also efforts to ensure that companies stay safe from potential cyberattacks – whether they are large enterprises often facing online threats, or smaller businesses that are still vulnerable. By supporting the integration of AI in companies' work processes, the government is also giving workers the opportunity to learn the right way to use AI tools, Tan noted. In addition, ambassadors from the SG Digital Office are teaching the elderly digital skills such as Gen AI. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am SGSME Get updates on Singapore's SME community, along with profiles, news and tips. Sign Up Sign Up Tan gave the example of a grandmother using Gen AI to find a simplified recipe for fish and chips, which she wanted to cook for her grandson. 'We are not leaving anyone behind (in the adoption of AI)', he said. He believes that AI will not steal the jobs of human workers because there are many tasks it cannot perform. In the tech sector, AI can generate code efficiently – but someone needs to define what the code should do and whether it is reliable. Although the nature of jobs may change, 'in Singapore, especially when we don't have enough people, there will always be jobs', he said. Companies may be anxious about using AI, so large institutions such as DBS can 'lead by example' through active adoption of the technology, he noted. DBS introduces AI career coach At the carnival, DBS launched iCoach – a Gen AI-powered virtual coach for its employees. The program can be accessed by the bank's offices in Singapore, Indonesia, India, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, a spokesperson from the bank said during a product demonstration. iCoach's knowledge base was developed jointly with Marshall Goldsmith, a career coach with more than four decades of experience working with managers and executives. The virtual coach provides employees with personalised, on-demand career guidance to help them navigate the workplace. Available around the clock, it draws on DBS' roles, functions and internal mobility pathways to deliver relevant career advice. Seventy per cent of coached employees made improvements in work performance, relationships and communication, and 80 per cent reported higher self-confidence, data from International Coaching Federation and Better Up Career Coaching indicated. In response to The Business Times' query on whether iCoach will be used widely by DBS employees, the bank's spokesperson said the launch event was a key attempt at raising awareness of the tool. Employees also have access to human resource software that may guide them to iCoach, she added.
Hindustan Times
21-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Why Indian MSMEs must prioritise digital maturity for growth
India's long-term economic vision rests on sustaining a high-growth momentum. A World Bank analysis indicates that India's economy must expand at an average annual rate of 7.8% over the next two decades to achieve high-income status by 2047. The fulcrum of this growth is its 63 million micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which make up nearly 30% of GDP and drive 50% of exports. Yet, their potential remains underutilised. The sector remains bifurcated between those leveraging digital infrastructure to scale and compete globally and those falling behind in an increasingly tech-driven marketplace. Digital growth (Representational image) Only 12% of MSMEs use digital tools for strategic decision-making, while most face capital shortages, policy unawareness, and skill gaps. This directly impacts India's growth prospects as these firms operate at lower productivity, struggle with financing, and remain locked out of high-margin, global value chains. While in clear contrast, firms that have embraced digital transformation report sales growth of up to 80%, productivity gains of 40% and greater resilience against economic downturns. The question thus arises: how can India bridge the digital divide for its MSMEs as they seek to integrate into global markets? Globally industrialised economies are putting a pertinent focus on their MSMEs to go digital; Singapore's Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) covers up to 50% of digital adoption costs for SMEs. Similarly, its SMEs Go Digital initiative offers subsidised access to Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven tools and training. South Korea raised research and development (R&D) support for strategic technologies from 38% to 50%. Meanwhile, China has aggressively digitised its SME sector through its e-commerce policies, expanding global trade among SMEs by 68%. These examples underscore how digitisation enhances operational scale, cross-border competitiveness, and long-term cost-efficiency. In India, digitally mature MSMEs report a 65% increase in turnover, with 54% seeing higher profits. A Google-KPMG study shows digitally enabled businesses grow at twice the rate of offline firms. More importantly, digitisation reduces overheads, optimises inventory and logistics, improves visibility into customer data, and shortens sales cycles—driving both revenue and resilience. Digital platforms facilitate access to credit, and fintech-backed loans help MSMEs with working capital. Yet, despite these demonstrable benefits, only 57% of small businesses view AI as an opportunity, and fewer have the skills to implement it effectively. Digital platforms reduce paperwork, lower credit processing time, and help MSMEs comply with tax and regulatory norms. Despite the clear value in cost savings, faster turnaround, improved compliance, and expanded customer outreach, structural barriers persist. Cost remains the most cited deterrent to digital adoption, as 30% of MSMEs report high infrastructure costs as a limiting factor, while another 36% cite resistance to adopting new technology. The larger issue is workforce inertia—India's MSME sector has a digital skills deficit, making the transition to technology-driven operations slower. A study by NASSCOM and Meta shows that 65% MSMEs don't adopt technology due to a lack of skills and limited awareness about available tools and resources and an absence of structured support systems that could mentor them. Cybersecurity risks affect 40% of MSMEs, exposing them to fraud and financial threats. Meanwhile, policy awareness remains low—despite multiple government-led digitisation incentives and support. The result is a sector struggling to keep pace in an economy that is increasingly dictated by digital efficiencies. The structural shift required to bridge India's digital divide will demand coordinated intervention. India must implement targeted credit instruments that focus on digital upgradation for these MSMEs and reduce their technological costs, the government is already working towards it with TEAM (Trade Enablement & Marketing Scheme) and Technology Upgradation Schemes. However, to bridge the skill gaps the government should leverage their partnerships with private firms to provide structured training and hands-on tech support. Further the government can absorb ex-practitioners and industry experts in their business facilitation hubs, where MSMEs can receive customized, sector-specific guidance from former entrepreneurs, technology specialists, and financial advisors. Cybersecurity frameworks and awareness campaigns around existing digitalisation incentives must be amplified to bridge the policy communication gap. India's economic future is inextricably tied to the digital evolution of its MSME sector. Those embracing digital transformation will lead India's next wave of economic expansion. The need for proactive, policy-driven intervention has never been more urgent. This article is authored by Anup Wadhawan, former commerce secretary, Government of India and Arvind Singh, founder & chief executive officer, Quest OntheFRONTIER.
Straits Times
27-04-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Forum: SMEs can access resources needed to stay resilient and future-ready
We refer to Mr Lock Chee Wee's letter 'Give boost similar to CDC vouchers for SMEs' digital transformation' (April 18). S mall and medium-sized enterprises are a key engine of our economy and the Government is fully committed to helping SMEs undertake enterprise and workforce transformation to stay competitive and seize new opportunities. Digital transformation and innovation are important capabilities that companies must develop to thrive for the long term. The Government recently announced a new Enterprise Compute Initiative (ECI) to support companies to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) solutions into their operations and to grow their AI R&D and productisation capabilities. The ECI provides companies with access to cloud compute credits and training programmes, and a grant for consultancy services to develop and scale AI solutions. This is similar in intent to Mr Lock's suggestion to provide funding for SMEs to boost their digital transformation. Before this, the Infocomm Media Development Authority had also introduced the SMEs Go Digital programme that includes advisory support through the Chief Technology Officer-as-a-Service platform, while Enterprise Singapore's Productivity Solutions Grant helps businesses adopt digital solutions to improve operational efficiency. To help companies upgrade their workforce, the Government has also set aside over $400 million for a new Enterprise Workforce Transformation Package, which will be progressively rolled out in 2026. This package comprises three main features: - a new SkillsFuture Workforce Development Grant to provide support for activities such as job redesign, capability building and training; - enhanced funding support for job redesign activities; and - a fresh $10,000 in credits for eligible businesses under the redesigned SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit to support workforce transformation. Aside from enterprise and workforce transformation, the Government gives priority to supporting SMEs' efforts to grow and internationalise. SMEs looking to strengthen their business operations and develop innovative products can tap the Enterprise Development Grant. SMEs keen to access overseas markets can apply for the Market Readiness Assistance Grant to defray related expenses. Access to financing is also key to SMEs' growth. Through the Enterprise Financing Scheme, the Government shares the risk for loans extended by participating financial institutions for businesses' transformation, innovation and expansion. We would like to assure Mr Lock that we will continually review our programmes to ensure that we can support SMEs with the tools and resources they need to stay resilient and future-ready. Ong Li Lian Director, Enterprise Development Division Ministry of Trade and Industry More on this Topic Forum: What readers are saying Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
