Written Answer

Grants for Content Creation to Assist SMEs Transitioning to Digital Market

Speakers

Summary

This question concerns Mr Christopher de Souza’s inquiry on providing specific grants for content creation to help SMEs transition to digital markets and stay competitive. Minister Josephine Teo responded that the Government is looking to support content creation under the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) to assist SMEs. Currently, SMEs can receive up to 80% funding through the PSG for e-commerce websites and utilize Start Digital Packs for foundational marketing tools. Minister Josephine Teo also highlighted Grow Digital solutions for global market access and sector-specific Industry Digital Plans to address unique needs. The Government will continue reviewing these schemes to ensure that support remains relevant and appropriate for SMEs in a dynamic environment.

Transcript

34 Mr Christopher de Souza asked the Minister for Communications and Information whether grants can be given specifically for content creation so as to assist SMEs in not only transitioning to a digital market but continuing to remain competitive and attractive to potential customers.

Mrs Josephine Teo: The Government provides targeted support to help SMEs thrive in an increasingly digitalised economy. With more SMEs going online as a new channel for growth, programmes like SMEs Go Digital not only help SMEs make the leap, but also enhance their productivity and refresh their product offerings, all of which are essential for SMEs to remain competitive and to grow their customer base. Recognising that our SMEs need content creation as part of digital marketing to help them grow, we are looking to support this under the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG).

In the meantime, under the SMEs Go Digital programme, SMEs can tap on pre-approved digital solutions to develop their e-commerce websites with up to 80% of the costs defrayed by the PSG. Newly-incorporated SMEs can also adopt basic digital marketing or e-commerce tools at no cost for at least six months using the foundational Start Digital Packs. In addition, SMEs can adopt Grow Digital solutions, which are Business-to-Business and Business-to-Consumer e-commerce platforms that enable them to access regional or global markets; also with grant support.

All these digital solutions have been brought together to address SMEs’ needs across the economy, with sector-specific solutions in line with the respective Industry Digital Plans. We will continue to review our schemes to ensure that the support available remains relevant and appropriate for SMEs’ needs in this dynamic environment.