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. <END> 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