Given the pressing need for SMEs across different industries to be able to transform their businesses digitally, the SME Leadership Academy will also expand its capacity to help 4,000 SMEs by end 2021, a ten-fold increase from the initially projected 400 SMEs.

In collaboration with the Economic Development Board and with the support of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) Marketing College2, Enterprise Singapore and Singapore Retailers Association, the training programme for retail and tourism SMEs will be conducted online through six to eight webinars, each lasting an hour, starting on 28 April 2020. Previous training sessions were conducted through in-person seminars.

The revised and online curriculum now teaches SMEs how to use digital solutions, including online collaboration tools, to be more effective when managing their businesses from home. SMEs will also gain insights into effective people and business management during crises, which can then be turned into practical steps they can take to tackle their own immediate challenges. UOB will guide SMEs on how to apply for COVID-19 financial relief assistance to help tide them over during this difficult period. The Bank, through its innovation accelerator The FinLab, will also connect SMEs with suitable technology solution providers. With the support of these providers, SMEs will be able to implement digital solutions that will see them through the current situation and ensure they are well-positioned for better times.

Mr Ben King, Country Director of Google Singapore said, “The considerable disruptions of COVID-19 has made this a tough time for businesses at all levels - doubly so for SMEs who need to accelerate digital adoption and quickly move their business online to adapt to the evolving situation. It is critical that we support them in whatever way we can. Alongside our other initiatives to help the business community, we hope that the webinar series of our SME Leadership Academy will empower Singaporean businesses through skills training and enable them to succeed in a digital economy, which is especially critical during this challenging business climate.”

Mr Lawrence Loh, Head of Group Business Banking, UOB, said, “At UOB, we have been helping SMEs overcome their business challenges and deepen their capabilities for more than 80 years. We understand that during these especially challenging times, the priority for SMEs, especially those in the retail, tourism and F&B sectors, is to keep their business afloat. Through the customised curriculum and online webinars, we want to make it easier for SMEs to address the business constraints resulting from the pandemic and to be ready for recovery. They can do so by gaining relevant market insights and learning how they can make use of digital solutions to create new revenue streams and to manage their costs more effectively.”

Mr Eric Tham, Head of Group Commercial Banking, UOB, said, “Just as UOB has been actively helping our SME customers address their immediate concerns, we want to ensure that they are well-prepared for the future. We expect the new ways of working today will become the new normal for the future. The SME Leadership Academy’s new online curriculum is one way we can help enable SMEs adapt to change and adopt technology for their long-term business continuity and growth.”

Mr Kiren Kumar, Chief Digital Industry Officer, Digital Industry Singapore, said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted businesses from every industry, making it crucial for the business community to stay united. The expanded SME Leadership Academy webinar series will help more firms leverage technology to get through this difficult time, and build digital capabilities within their businesses to prepare for the eventual recovery. We look forward to collaborating with more companies like Google and UOB to support companies during this period.” .