MEDIA RELEASE Singapore Manufacturing Federation & Japan Management Association

MEDIA RELEASE
Singapore Manufacturing Federation & Japan Management Association
Ink Memorandum of Understanding to
Strengthen Business Relations and Promote Economic Co-operation
9th October 2014 - Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) and Japan Management
Association (JMA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today. SMF PresidentDesignate, Mr Douglas Foo and JMA President, Mr Masami Nakamura, represented the two
organisations respectively and inked the MOU at the Manufacturing Solutions Expo 2014 which
is held at Suntec City Convention Centre.
With Singapore manufacturing activities shifting from labour-intensive to knowledge-based
activities, many local manufacturers are expanding their business overseas outside Singapore.
This trend is in sync with the vision of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), which
envisages a single market and production base as well as a highly competitive economic region
that is fully integrated into the global economy.
In view of this, JMA believes that Japanese companies can utilise Singapore as a regional base to
capture new business opportunities and achieve collaborations.
“The collaboration between SMF and JMA is an important step towards strengthening business
relations and promoting economic co-operation between Singapore and Japanese enterprises. It is
my wish that by working together, SMF and JMA will be able to learn from each other, and
provide assistance to our members in the various areas of trade, investment and business events,
as well as upskilling,” said Mr Douglas Foo, SMF President-Designate.
“I hope this signing ceremony will serve as the first step for JMA and SMF to strengthen their
partnership for the business growth of both countries,” said Mr Nakamura, JMA President.
Taking place at the start of Singapore’s National Productivity Month, the MOU presents an
excellent platform for SMF and JMA to help their members to achieve productivity gains and
business transformation through collaborations.
The MOU aims to achieve the following objectives:

Render assistance to each other in trade, investment and business events, including fairs,
missions and conferences.

Provide advice and assistance to members of the two organisations who are visiting the
respective countries.

Make effort to promote collaboration in training programmes between the two
organisations.

Render assistance to business programmes that promote business collaborations among
members of the two organisations.
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About Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF)
Established since 1932, SMF represents the interest of the Singapore manufacturing community,
driving its competitiveness and sustainable growth through serving industry-specific needs.
Supported by 10 industry groups and 6 Centres of Excellence, SMF enhances the
competitiveness of the industry by encouraging capacity development and capability building,
innovation and productivity.
It provides opportunities for companies to collaborate, network; and to grow and expand both
locally and internationally. Current membership stands at more than 3,000 corporate members
ranging from SMEs to MNCs. For more information, please visit www.smfederation.org.sg.
About Japan Management Association (JMA)
Japan Management Association (JMA), being the largest management organization in Japan with
over 1,300 corporate members, has been contributing to the productivity and innovation of
Japanese industries for 70 years. They are engaged in various activities such as organising
exhibitions and conferences as well as training & education for executives and business partners
for over 20 industries.
For media queries, please contact:
Patricia Ang
Kiki Zheng
Director
Executive
Corporate & Marketing Communications
Corporate Communications
Singapore Manufacturing Federation
Singapore Manufacturing Federation
DID: (65) 6826-3034
DID: (65) 6826-3013
HP: 93628258
HP: 91509237
Email: patriciaang@smfederation.org.sg
Email: kikizheng@smfederation.org.sg