Latest news with #SMF
CNA
22-07-2025
- Business
- CNA
Singapore firms want FTAs to cover areas like digital economy and services: Study
Singapore firms say they want free trade agreements (FTAs) with a wider scope, in areas like the digital economy and services trade. They are also looking for guidance on tapping FTAs. This is according to a research study on manufacturing businesses, led by the National University of Singapore. Kok Ping Soon, CEO of the Singapore Business Federation, and Lennon Tan, President of the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF), discuss the survey findings from the research study on manufacturing businesses. They talk about the pressing challenges local manufacturers face and how SMF is helping businesses tap FTAs.
The Star
18-07-2025
- Science
- The Star
Helping students is their mission
Hands-on approach: Students participating in an character building session held by SMF staff at one of their hostels. (Inset) Lei sees value in teaching science subjects for the future of Sabah. PETALING JAYA: From building hostels near schools to providing accommodation for students from rural communities, Starfish Malaysia Foundation (SMF) is now hoping to directly help those same students achieve academic success. Founded to make attending school safe and easier for rural students, the foundation's ambitions to assist students have grown significantly since it was named as a Star Golden Hearts Award (SGHA) winner in 2023. SMF founder Jimmy Lei said the recognition has since enabled them to easily find potential partners or sponsors for their cause. 'The recognition we received has been very helpful as we now include SGHA in all our communications with others. 'This has led to big names, like local banks, supporting our efforts. We hope to expand our goal of supporting education in Sabah,' he said in an interview. Lei said SMF now plans to further assist students academically by building a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) centre after noticing a dip in students enrolling in science subjects in recent years. 'We want to spark interest among the students to take up science subjects by teaching them its importance, not just for their future but Sabah as well,' he said. Lei also said renovations were already underway on a 0.3ha property in Tuaran to turn it into a STEM centre, with additional plans to promote STEM education with cooperation from the Sabah Education Department. He said this will include hosting STEM roadshows and establishing STEM hubs in 30 selected urban and rural primary and secondary schools around the state. Starfish Malaysia Foundation (SMF) founder Jimmy Lei The first programme will kick off on July 14. 'We will supply STEM equipment for over 30 interactive display stations to SMK Sri Nangka in Tuaran for the roadshow. 'Towards the end of the event, we will gift the equipment to the school to establish their own STEM hub so that the students can have easy and free access. 'Hopefully, this could encourage more students to take up science,' he said. Looking to continue its original goal, Lei said SMF has also completed the construction of a new dormitory in Pitas last November to replace the rundown 50-year-old one in the area. The new fully-functional building has the capacity to accommodate up to 40 boys and two tutoring or visitor rooms as they continue adding new items to further furnish the premises. The dormitory joins SMF's other five hostels that they manage directly across northern Sabah, which provide a safe home for 180 students, comprising 50 from primary schools and the rest from secondary schools. 'We will continue to organise tuition classes, usually done by volunteers both face-to-face and online, on several subjects that the students need help on. 'Other programmes that focus on character building and life skills are also held during weekends at our hostels,' he added. Meanwhile, the SGHA returns for the 11th edition to honour everyday Malaysians whose compassion and selflessness have made a lasting impact on others. With McDonald's Malaysia as the new strategic partner, SGHA is poised to broaden its reach and deepen its impact nationwide. This year also marks the debut of the McDonald's Caring Hearts Award – a special recognition honouring individuals or grassroots groups whose heartfelt acts of kindness have uplifted lives in profound and lasting ways. Since its inception in 2015, SGHA has honoured over 100 individuals and organisations whose efforts have inspired action, transformed lives and strengthened communities nationwide.
Forbes
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
Here's How Better Buses And Bike Lanes Could Battle Loneliness
Car dependancy has been attributed to a rise in loneliness. Car dependency can lead to poor health and even general unhappiness, but it may also cause loneliness. That's according to an analysis by UK thinktank Smart Market Foundation (SMF), which showed that loneliness went down by 5% for every 20% fall in satisfaction with public transport as well as active travel. "Put another way, failing to provide alternatives to cars is making people more lonely and more isolated," noted senior researcher Gideon Salutin in a post on SMF website. And, as we've heard time and time again, we are facing a loneliness epidemic: we spend 70% less time with our friends than we did a decade ago and that matters as research from last year suggested it could lead to 30% higher rates of early mortality, on par with smoking 15 cigarettes daily. Better buses and bike lanes won't solve loneliness entirely, but it could have an impact, according to the SMF. Car dependency sparks disconnection The SMF study used an existing Department for Transport study to compare car dependance — based on dissatisfaction with public transport but also including journeys taken by car — with feeling lonely or isolated, controlling for other intervening variables. (The hope was to also capture people who chose to drive even though they had plenty of transport around them — the example given was "SUV owners in Kensington and Chelsea".) Salutin wrote: 'Across all four loneliness indicators – feeling lonely, left out, isolated, or lacking companionship – in every region, as car dependency increases, people are more likely to feel lonely and disconnected.' Beyond the loneliness metric, the analysis also suggested that for every 20% decrease in satisfaction with public or active transport options, 4.1% of people felt more left out, 3.2% felt more isolated, and 2.9% felt a lack of companionship. Why do cars cause loneliness? Why is this happening? One obvious example is car dependency in a transport desert traps those without a car at home, making it more difficult to visit friends and access social experiences or find work. Can riding the bus more reduce loneliness? Salutin suggests the stress and costs of driving could be leaving people feeling vulnerable, and limits some activities — if you're driving, you're not staying in the pub all night drinking (or at least you really shouldn't be.) Salutin suggests that the physical impact of cars on our environment could be impacting our mental health. "It might also be that the infrastructure we build to support motoring paradoxically builds more barriers, as elevated motorways, wide roads, and sprawling car parks replace what might have been walkable neighbourhoods and green spaces," he wrote. And, if you're driving, you're not interacting with other people, but cut off from any chance of small talk or community — which may be welcome some of the time, but could be damaging all of the time. Or as Salutin noted, 'some theorists speculate that cars themselves could be the problem, keeping us shut in our 'little steel protection box,' isolated from the outside world.' Cars vs loneliness: not that simple Of course, there's more to loneliness than bike lanes and buses. And Salutin admits that having access to a car can help people reach social spaces, increasing life satisfaction in particular when alternative transport infrastructure is poor — but only to a point. Passengers wait at the bus stop near the Academy of Athens as a trolleybus arrives in Athens, ... More Greece, on January 15, 2025. (Photo by Giorgos Arapekos/NurPhoto via Getty Images) "In Athens, with its poor public transport infrastructure, car ownership greatly increases people's life satisfaction," Salutin notes. 'In Oslo, where residents have more alternatives, car ownership still tends to increase satisfaction, though the effects are less pronounced. In Beijing, where residents enjoy some of the most efficient public transportation in the world, car ownership has very little impact at all on life satisfaction.' He notes that making more than half of trips via cars has been suggested as contributing to loneliness by American researchers — adding that two thirds of journeys outside of London are by private vehicle. The SMF has called to get that number down below 50% via investment in buses and other local transport, a move which could help reduce loneliness — and solve so many other problems, too.
The Sun
03-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
UOB, FMM, SMF in pact to spur cross-border manufacturing projects, investments
PETALING JAYA: In a move to bolster regional economic integration and facilitate foreign direct investment (FDI) flows, UOB signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturing (FMM) and the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) at the Asean Conference in Singapore today. The strategic partnership aims to strengthen the Malaysia-Singapore manufacturing corridor by leveraging UOB's regional network and sectoral expertise to help businesses, especially SMEs, scale across borders, access new markets, and grow sustainably. The collaboration supports the 2025 Asean Summit's theme of inclusivity, ensuring that businesses of all sizes can participate in and benefit from regional growth. It also builds on the momentum of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) agreement between both governments. Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Liew Chin Tong said, 'One of the key visions laid out for the JS-SEZ is to establish a better integrated and resilient supply chain ecosystem across the Malaysia-Singapore border. Both Johor and Singapore can leverage on our complementary capacities, join hands to drive innovation and enhance productivity. This MoU between FMM, SMF and UOB is therefore timely and propitious to align the strengths of Malaysia and Singapore for greater regional economic growth in the current global trade climate.' UOB Malaysia CEO Ng Wei Wei said, 'UOB is proud to have been an early supporter of the JS-SEZ, launching initiatives such as the Green Lane with Invest Johor and setting up dedicated SEZ Desks and introduced a fast lane account opening services. Since 2024, UOB has committed RM11.5 billion in financing to support businesses in Johor and is actively facilitating RM10 billion of FDI flows into the zone. Through this MoU, we look forward to working with FMM and SMF to help their members seize cross-border opportunities and contribute to Asean's industrial growth.' Reflecting the bank's long-term commitment to Asean's sustainable economic growth, the MoU outlines two key objectives. The first is to promote opportunities by facilitating and exploring business opportunities and cross-border projects in the region, particularly between Singapore and Malaysia, for stakeholders and ecosystem partners. The second is to deepen collaboration by driving joint business, trade, and investment initiatives focused on strengthening the cross-border manufacturing ecosystem. To support these efforts, UOB will provide advisory services, including tailored market entry and in-market guidance, to FMM and SMF members. These services will help businesses navigate the financial and operational aspects of establishing a presence in Singapore, Malaysia and across Southeast Asia. FMM president Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai said, 'This collaboration sets the stage for more cross-border success stories under the JS-SEZ. FMM is committed to supporting our members in leveraging this important bilateral initiative to build stronger regional connections. With the support of UOB and SMF, our manufacturers, especially SMEs, will be better equipped to pursue growth opportunities, foster innovation, and become integral players in ASEAN's evolving industrial landscape.' SMF president Lennon Tan said, 'Asean's competitiveness rests on how quickly our manufacturers can innovate, scale and connect. Through this partnership with UOB and our Malaysian counterpart FMM centred on the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, SMF will help businesses to seize cross-border opportunities, accelerate innovation, and strengthen supply chain resilience. Together we will open clearer paths to capital, talent and technology, enabling sustainable growth and keeping the Malaysia–Singapore manufacturing corridor competitive and future-ready.'
The Star
03-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
UOB, FMM and SMF ink MoU to boost Malaysia-Singapore manufacturing ties
From left: Federation of Malaysian Manufacturing president Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai, UOB Malaysia CEO Ng Wei Wei, UOB deputy chairman and CEO Wee Ee Cheong, Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and trade and industry minister Gan Kim Yong and deputy investment, trade and industry minister Liew Chin Tong. KUALA LUMPUR: United Overseas Bank (Malaysia) Bhd (UOB Malaysia) has signed a tripartite memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) and the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) to strengthen regional economic integration and promote foreign direct investment (FDI) flows. The bank, in a statement, said the partnership aims to strengthen the Malaysia-Singapore manufacturing corridor by leveraging UOB's regional network and expertise to help businesses, especially SMEs, expand across borders and grow sustainably. It supports the 2025 Asean Summit's theme of inclusivity, of which Malaysia chaired and hosted, ensuring that businesses of all sizes can participate in and benefit from regional growth. The agreement also builds on the momentum of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) agreement between both governments. UOB Malaysia CEO Ng Wei Wei said the bank is proud to be an early JS-SEZ supporter, having launched the Green Lane with Invest Johor, set up SEZ Desks, and introduced fast-track account openings. 'Since 2024, UOB has committed RM11.5bil in financing to support businesses in Johor and is actively facilitating RM10bil of FDI flows into the zone. 'Through this MoU, we look forward to working with FMM and SMF to help their members seize cross-border opportunities and contribute to Asean's industrial growth,' she said. The MoU reflects UOB's long-term commitment to Asean's sustainable growth, aiming to promote cross-border opportunities and deepen collaboration in trade, investment, and manufacturing between Singapore and Malaysia, for stakeholders and ecosystem partners. To support these efforts, UOB will provide advisory services, including tailored market entry and in-market guidance for FMM and SMF members. These services will help businesses navigate the financial and operational aspects of establishing a presence in Singapore, Malaysia, and across Southeast Asia. FMM president Tan Sri Soh Thian Lai said the collaboration sets the stage for more cross-border success stories under the JS-SEZ. 'FMM is committed to supporting our members in leveraging this important bilateral initiative to build stronger regional connections. With the support of UOB and SMF, our manufacturers, especially SMEs, will be better equipped to pursue growth opportunities, foster innovation, and become integral players in Asean's evolving industrial landscape.' Meanwhile, SMF president Lennon Tan said: 'Through this partnership with UOB and our Malaysian counterpart FMM centred on the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, SMF will help businesses to seize cross-border opportunities, accelerate innovation, and strengthen supply chain resilience.' 'Together we will open clearer paths to capital, talent and technology, enabling sustainable growth and keeping the Malaysia–Singapore manufacturing corridor competitive and future-ready,' he said.
