Nationwide movement launched to boost productivity efforts, 4 additional sectors identified to boost productivity drive

1 The National Productivity and Continuing Education Council (NPCEC) has identified four new sectors of interest with the potential to boost the national productivity drive. The identified sectors are: financial services, accountancy, social services and process construction & maintenance. These sectors, together with the 12 priority sectors identified in 2010, will expand the scope of sectors reviewed by the NPCEC from 40% to approximately 55% of Singapore’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and from 55% to 60% of employment in Singapore. This was announced by NPCEC Chairman, Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, at the official launch of Way to Go, Singapore, a nation-wide public outreach effort on the national productivity drive.

2 DPM Tharman said, “The NPCEC has made good progress since 2010. We have completed and endorsed most of the productivity roadmaps for 12 priority sectors. This sectoral approach has served us well and the
newly-identified sectors will give further momentum to the national productivity drive. The economic situation ahead may be challenging. We need to push on with our productivity efforts so that Singapore can continue to grow and compete despite constraints on our land and labour resources. The drive to
boost productivity is therefore a long-term one that requires a sustained national effort, involving everyone.”

3 Complementing the efforts of the NPCEC is a public outreach effort which will be rolled out from today. Real-life experiences and stories of companies, employees and employers who “found a way” to improve
productivity in their organisations will be featured in print, online, broadcast and outdoor platforms. For instance, DPM Tharman visited a local printing company, Asiawide Print Holdings (See Annex A), to see how the local SME has embarked on a productivity drive to achieve better business outcomes and benefits for its workers.

4 Through the use of simple terms and striking visuals, the campaign aims to demonstrate that improvements in productivity can be initiated by anyone through three easy steps: Initiate, Innovate, and Impact. Companies and individuals are encouraged to join in the nation-wide productivity movement via the campaign portal (www.waytogo.sg), which will serve as a one-stop resource point for their productivity journeys. Aside from the portal, PRESS RELEASE collaterals will also be produced to help companies take their first step towards improving productivity.

5 DPM Tharman said: “This outreach represents NPCEC’s commitment and effort to renew the nation’s understanding of productivity. We hope that everyone, from senior management to the man on the street, will see productivity as a national imperative, and will be part of the movement. Every effort, no matter how small, is crucial. With everyone onboard, we will be better able to weather the challenges ahead, and achieve sustained and inclusive growth for Singapore.”

Media Contacts

For media queries, please contact:

Ms Mayna Teo
Assistant Director, Corporate Communications
Ministry of Manpower
Tel: 6317 1510
Hp: 9798 7939
Email: mayna_teo@mom.gov.sg

Ms Lau Ai Lin
Assistant Director, Corporate Communications
Ministry of Trade and Industry
Tel: 6332 7869
Hp: 9797 5456
Email: lau_ai_lin@mti.gov.sg