The Business Times (BT), Singapore’s leading financial daily, launched a bi-monthly magazine “The SME Magazine” in partnership with SPRING Singapore and IE Singapore to help SMEs operate more effectively and explore new markets last month.

Positioned as the essential resource tool to help SMEs compete in these challenging economic times, “The SME Magazine” provides news, stories and information which help SMEs grow, expand and globalise with higher value-added products and services.

SMEs make up 99% of all businesses incorporated here and form the backbone of the Singapore’s economy. It is responsible for about half of the country’s GDP and generates more than 60% of jobs found in Singapore.

Mr Alvin Tay, Editor of The Business Times said, “The SME Magazine leverages on The Business Times’ 34 years of editorial experience in reporting and analysing issues which concern and impact on our SMEs. It also enhances BT’s wide array of products catering mainly to the SME audience. These products include our weekly SME Inc section in BT; two annual awards, Enterprise 50 and Emerging Enterprise, that recognise and honour the top and best-managed SMEs; and regular talks and networking sessions for SME owners and executives.’

Said Ms Chen Huifen, Editor of The SME Magazine, “Small and medium enterprises are the future of Singapore. And it's not just about the employment they provide or the value-add they

contribute to the economy. They hold plenty of aspirations of entrepreneurs and their teams. We hope to be able to capture their tenacity and enterprising spirit, as well as help them connect and learn from one another, through this new magazine.”

Mr Png Cheong Boon, Chief Executive of SPRING Singapore said, “We are excited to be partnering The Business Times in the production of the SME Magazine. This will be a useful resource that keeps SMEs abreast of relevant issues and topics ranging from leveraging business opportunities to building sustainable resources."

Mr Chong Lit Cheong, Chief Executive Officer of IE Singapore said, “Internationalisation is a prominent feature of many successful SME businesses today. We hope that the publication will be a useful platform for knowledge and experience sharing for SMEs to learn from one another, and to help them be aware of the many resources available to help them venture beyond our shores.”

The SME Magazine retails at newsstands, Buzz Pod and major bookstores. Call 6388-3838 for subscription enquiries.