Progress of Take-up Rate of NEA's Incubation Stall Programme

42 Mr Liang Eng Hwa asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (a) what is the progress on the take-up rate of NEA's Incubation Stall Programme; and (b) whether the programme will be reviewed and improved to achieve better outcomes.

Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: Under the National Environment Agency's (NEA's) Incubation Stall Programme, aspiring hawkers can run their businesses at pre-fitted stalls with reduced stall rental for 15 months. As of 30 June 2025, NEA has allocated 99 incubation stalls to aspiring hawkers. About 37 of them have since converted to become full-fledged hawkers. Achieving business viability and sustainability in the hawker trade is dependent on aspiring hawkers' ability to meet patrons' expectations and manage their businesses effectively.

NEA conducts reviews of the programme and its parameters from time to time. In 2019, after taking in feedback from participants, NEA extended the 50% rental discounts from six to nine months and provided 25% rental discounts for a further six months, so that participants could have more time to build their clientele and stabilise business operations. NEA will continue to monitor and review the scheme from time to time to ensure that it remains relevant to the hawker trade and needs of aspiring hawkers.