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Events

Dialogue with the Building and Construction Authority (BCA)

Post author By sbmsa 7s6bpv
Post date 27 January, 2022
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27TH JANUARY 2022

On 27 January 2022, initiated and organized by our Executive Committee, Singapore Building Materials Suppliers’ Association (SBMSA) had an in-depth online dialogue with Building and Construction Authority (BCA).

Attending this dialogue were Director of BCA Partnership Engagement Group, Mr Reginald Wee and Assistant Ms Claryce Ng, as well as SBMSA President Mr Ng Soy Ng, Vice-President Mr George Tan, Vice-President Mr Colin Lim Beng Beng, Honorary Secretary Mr Kenny Lim, Honorary Treasurer Mr Pang Ah Sing, Assistant Honorary Trade Officer Ms Susan Ang Hwee Tin, Internal Auditor Mr Timothy Ong and Chun Hoe Pte Ltd Representative Leo.

SBMSA expressed the concerns and views raised by business owners about the difficulties and challenges faced by the construction industry and building materials suppliers. The topics covered in this dialogue include :

Due to the impact of Covid-19, the construction industry is facing challenges of project delays due to the shortage of migrant workers;
Supply chains and importation of migrant workers have being severely affected by border control restrictions;
The issue of high local land prices and high levy.
And small and medium-sized building materials suppliers are facing problems such as increase in material prices, supply chain disruptions, cash flow issues, and inability to fulfil existing contracts, etc.

SBMSA hopes that BCA will be to convey the business owners’ concerns and help to solve their problems.

Mr Reginald Wee encouraged companies to stay resilient, strengthen cooperation and support among peers, and promote industry automation and digitalization to achieve growth and transformation.

President Mr Ng Soy Ng also took this opportunity to express his interest in green building materials and his willingness to cooperate with local Higher Education Institutes to research and develop new green building materials. He thanked Mr Reginald Wee for taking the time to participate in this dialogue, and hoped that there will be more dialogue opportunities in the future.

Events

Inauguration Ceremony of the 59th Term

Post author By sbmsa 7s6bpv
Post date 17 November, 2021
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17TH NOVEMBER 2021

Singapore Building Materials Suppliers’ Association (SBMSA) held the 59^th term of Inauguration Ceremony in TA Hub Theatrette (Jurong Town Hall) at 4pm on 17 November 2021. Minister of National Development, Mr Desmond Lee presided over the ceremony and gave a speech.

Due to the safety measures and number restrictions during the epidemic, in addition to the new executive committees, only representatives from the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCCI), Singapore Ship-Chandlers Association, Singapore Rope, Hardware & Paint Merchants Association, Singapore Hardware and Tools Association, Singapore Sanitary Ware Importers & Exporters Association, Singapore Metal & Machinery Association, Specialists Trade Alliance of Singapore (STAS), Singapore Glass Association, Singapore Timber Association (STA) and Singapore Renovation Contractors and Material Suppliers Association (RCMA) were invited to attend the ceremony.

After the ceremony, Minister Desmond Lee had a cordial exchange with the attendees for more than one hour during the tea break, listened intently to many questions, and was more concerned about the impact of building materials business for small and medium-sized enterprises during this severe epidemic.

Attachments: Minister Desmond Lee’s speech, President Ng Soy Ng’s speech, Newspaper clippings published in the Lianhe Zaobao, and many wonderful pictures.

Minister Desmond Lee’s speech

President Ng Soy Ng's Speech

Minister of National Development Mr Desmond Lee, SCCCI Chairman of the General Affairs Committee Mr Thomas Pek, Chairman of Boon Lay CCC Mr Jimmy Ng, Singapore Ship-Chandlers Association, Singapore Rope, Hardware & Paint Merchants Association, Singapore Hardware and Tools Association, Singapore Sanitary Ware Importers & Exporters Association, Singapore Metal & Machinery Association, Specialists Trade Alliance of Singapore (STAS), Singapore Timber Association (STA), Singapore Glass Association, Singapore Renovation Contractors and Material Suppliers Association (RCMA), and all executive committees, good afternoon!

First and foremost, on behalf of SBMSA, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Minister Desmond Lee who took the time out from his busy schedule to preside over the ceremony for us.

Thanks to Minister Desmond Lee for coming to preside over the ceremony during this difficult time and encouraging us as well.

Covid-19 has been prevalent around the world for these two years, and Singapore is not immune to it. In addition to the safety of our lives being threatened, the daily lives of the people in the country have been disrupted, all walks of life are disgruntled, and the construction industry is the first to bear the brunt.

The construction and related industries including building materials suppliers have been facing difficulties such as project delays, manpower shortages, increase in material prices, supply chain disruptions, cash turnover, and so on. In the foreseeable future, conflicts may arise due to these problems surfacing one after another, which may cause more contractors “suspend the business”.

The guests who attending today are all from construction industries who share the same feelings. After the ceremony, there is a chance to express for heartfelt feelings with Minister Desmond Lee and hoping Minister Desmond Lee will be able to advise and guide us out of this predicament and tide over the difficulties.

SBMSA is 92 years old this year, facing advanced technology environments is a big challenge, but the elderly must learn to change and transform.

The new term of executive committees includes the old and young people. We hope that they can renew the old and bring forth the new, actively transforming on the foundation laid by their predecessors.

In the past 3 years, SBMSA has rented out the existing property and moved to TA Hub. SBMSA has been neighbours with SCCCI and more than 30 trade associations to support each other and share resources.

SBMSA also using the shared secretariat service from SCCCI to strengthen and improve the operation and quality of the association, laying a solid foundation for the gradual transformation.

Externally, SBMSA established a relationship with the China-ASEAN Business Council in 2015, signed a memorandum and became their member. SBMSA was appointed as a member of the “Construction Industry Cooperation Committee” under the Council. The “Industrial Cooperation Committee” under the RCEP (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) was established by 15 countries in the region, including China, Japan and Australia, and SBMSA is being part of the committee members.

These international connections allowed SBMSA has the opportunity to travel abroad and to open up overseas markets. This is also an important step in the transformation of the industry group and the way for Singapore to survive.

The recent World Climate Conference held in Glasgow, UK, made us deeply feel that the Earth is sick, and it is very sick. We are all a part of the Earth and as a supplier of building materials, it has always been our goal and responsibility to find innovative green materials. Last year, SBMSA and Singapore Polytechnic signed a memorandum of cooperation, looking forward to the development of sustainable green materials which suitable for tropical climates, hoping to contribute to environmental protection.

As the vaccination rate increases and the government adopts a policy to “coexist with Covid-19”, SBMSA hopes that the restrictions will gradually relax, and the days to return to normal so that we can restart physical activities, visit members, travel overseas for inspections and for our newly established Youth Team to rally together, hoping to be able to toast and sing karaoke soon!

Lastly, we would like once again thank Minister Desmond Lee and all guests for coming to attend this inauguration ceremony of SBMSA. I wish all of you the best, health and safety. Thank you!

Newspaper clippings published in the Lianhe Zaobao

Inauguration Ceremony Pictures

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[COVID-19] Time-limited Rostered Routine Testing + Rental Waiver Framework

Post author By sbmsa 7s6bpv
Post date 28 September, 2021

Time-limited Rostered Routine Testing (RRT)

MTF announced on 6 September that there will be a time-limited offer to companies of 8 kits per onsite employee, to carry out weekly testing of staff over a two-month period. Sign-up is voluntary. Companies which receive the kits are *required* to conduct weekly testing for onsite staff.

These tests can be self-administered at home, or at work premises. But employers must put in place a process to ensure that the tests are done properly and report the results to the government. Compliance audits will also be done.

Do note that this is not eligible for employees currently under the mandatory Fast And Easy Testing (such as retail mall workers, F&B and personal care outlet workers) and mandatory PCR testing.

More information can be found here

Rental Waiver Framework

The Ministry of Law has introduced a Rental Waiver Framework to assist SMEs and specified Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) affected by the tightened safe management measures during Phase 2 (Heightened Alert) (P2(HA)).

The Rental Waiver Framework complements the suite of support measures that the Ministry of Finance introduced earlier to cushion the economic impact of the P2(HA) on workers and businesses. This included one month of rental support in total under the Rental Support Scheme (RSS), paid out as cash to qualifying tenants in privately owned commercial properties.

Under the Rental Waiver Framework, landlords will be required to provide a rental waiver of 2 weeks of gross rent to eligible SME and NPO tenant-occupiers of qualifying commercial properties. Taken together with the RSS cash payouts, these tenants will benefit from a total of about 1.5 months of rental support.

More information can be found here and for further enquiries, please contact MinLaw here

Attached are infographics in English and the other vernacular languages.

‣ English

‣ Chinese

‣ Malay

‣ Tamil

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[BCA Circular – COVID19] Vaccinate or Regular Testing (VoRT) for migrant workers (MWs) in the Construction, Marine and Process (CMP) sectors

Post author By sbmsa 7s6bpv
Post date 28 September, 2021

From 1 Oct, higher-risk MWs in CMP sectors and dormitories take additional Antigen Rapid Tests (ART), in between Rostered Routine Testing (RRT).

– Enables quicker detection of COVID-19 cases, reduce disruptions to businesses and MWs

• Vaccinated workers

– 1 additional ART

– Government to continue subsidising RRT and ART costs

• Unvaccinated workers

– 3 additional ART

– Employers or workers to bear costs of two additional ART, government to cover cost of RRT

• Workers medically ineligible for COVID-19 vaccines

– 3 additional ART

– Government to continue subsidising costs for required testing

– Employers to declare MWs’ medical status by 13 Sep

– Beyond 2021, employers should be prepared to factor regular testing costs into business operations.

‣ For more details, visit:

MOM advisory here

‣ Also, refer to:

BCA’s circular dated 26 Aug on Mandatory ART and Implementation of Vaccinate or Regular Testing (VoRT) Regime here

‣ Download pdf on Roster Routine Testing and Charging Policy for Workers in Construction, Marine, and Process sectors, and in Dormitories here

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[BCA Circular] Amendments to Building Control (Environmental Sustainability) Regulations 2008 and Adoption of New Codes

Post author By sbmsa 7s6bpv
Post date 28 September, 2021

SBMSA would like to inform the industry on the “Circular on Amendments to Building Control (Environmental Sustainability) Regulations 2008 and Adoption of the New Codes”. More details can be found here.

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Support package for Phase 2 (Heightened Alert)

Post author By sbmsa 7s6bpv
Post date 30 July, 2021
No Comments on Support package for Phase 2 (Heightened Alert)

In view of the tightened Safe Management Measures from 22 July 2021 through 18 August 2021 (inclusive), the Government has released a support package to cushion the impact on workers and businesses.

Please find the full details of the package here. Infographics are also attached for your easy reference.

Enhanced Jobs Support Scheme (JSS) for Affected Sectors

From 22 July to 18 August 2021:
- JSS enhanced to 60% for sectors where the tightened measures require them to suspend many, if not all, of their activities (e.g. F&B businesses, gyms, fitness studios, performing arts organisations and arts education centres)
- JSS enhanced to 40% for sectors that are significantly affected by the restrictions (e.g. retail, affected personal care services, tourist attractions, licensed hotels, cruise and regional ferry operators, MICE organisers, travel agents, museums, art galleries, cinema operators and other family entertainment centres)
From 19 August to 31 August 2021:
- JSS tapered to 10% for both groups of businesses
More details on the JSS enhancements for affected sectors can be found here

Rental Relief for Commercial Properties

Additional 4-week rental waiver for qualifying tenants on Government-owned commercial properties
Additional 2-week rental relief cash payout for qualifying* tenant-occupiers and owner-occupiers of privately-owned commercial properties under the Rental Support Scheme (RSS); more details to be made available on the Inland Revenue Authority Singapore (IRAS) website
To ensure fair burden sharing, the Government is looking to require sharing of rental obligations between the Government, landlords and qualifying tenants; more details to be announced by the Ministry of Law in due course

*Small and Medium Enterprises and eligible Non-Profit Organisations with an annual revenue not exceeding $100 million, who are tenant-occupiers or owner-occupiers of qualifying commercial properties, will be eligible for rental relief.

Extension of Food Delivery Booster Package / Continuation of E-Commerce Booster Package

The Food Delivery Booster Package will be reintroduced to defray part of food delivery costs via food delivery platforms and third-party logistics partners for transactions made from 22 July to 18 August 2021
The E-commerce Booster Package (available till 16 November 2021) will provide support for local retailers to get on-board local e-commerce platforms

For more enquiries, please call the Enterprise Infoline at 6898-1800 or email at enquiry@enterprisesg.gov.sg.