Amidst an increasingly complex business landscape, the SME Pro-Enterprise Office serves as the central coordination unit to streamline regulations for small and medium-sized enterprises.
About SME Pro-Enterprise Office (SME PEO)
Established under Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG), the SME PEO serves as the central coordination unit within the Government to help businesses with their feedback on Singapore’s regulations that span multiple government agencies or relate to emerging sectors where regulations are unclear or still being developed. This will in turn support SMEs to stay competitive and tap business opportunities.
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Who should approach the SME Pro-Enterprise Office (SME PEO)?
Businesses can approach SME PEO if you:
- Require help to navigate regulations that involve multiple government agencies; or
- Need help with regulations pertaining to emerging sectors where regulations are unclear or still being developed; or
- Wish to provide feedback on regulations.
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What is the role of SME PEO vis-a-vis other regulatory agencies?
The SME PEO will work with government agencies to streamline regulatory processes and reduce compliance burden, enabling enterprises to capture business opportunities. In doing so, the SME PEO will
- Triage and direct regulatory feedback received from businesses to relevant government agencies for review;
- Establish and track Whole-of-Government case management service standards on regulatory issues; and
- Analyse the enquiries and feedback received, monitor resolution outcomes and identify systemic regulatory issues.
The office complements the work of other government agencies, which will continue to handle regulatory cases that are straightforward and specific to their agencies. For example, businesses should contact SCDF on fire safety issues, JTC on lease renewal of JTC industrial properties, and MOM on work permit matters.
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How will SME PEO handle my enquiry or feedback? When will I receive a reply?
We will help you directly with straightforward enquiries or feedback. Where necessary, we may direct the enquiry or feedback to the relevant public agencies for review and reply to you.
Our response time depends on the nature and complexity of your enquiry or feedback. We endeavour to respond within 5 working days for most enquiries. For more complex enquiries, we seek your understanding that we may need more time to respond.
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What are government regulations?
Government regulations are compulsory requirements set by government agencies that companies must follow in their business operations. These requirements include obtaining licences and permits, applying for lease renewals, and completing tax filings.
The SME PEO does not cover applications for government support (e.g. grants, subsidies, tax exemptions) because these are not compulsory requirements for business operations. To report individuals or businesses who violate regulations, companies should contact the relevant government agency.
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What are some examples of regulatory issues that SME PEO hopes to address?
The examples are:
- Issues that span multiple sectors, government agencies or domains such as converting factories into worker dormitories, installing solar panels on rooftops and obtaining temporary occupation permits for buildings.
- Issues that are technically intricate and require specialised expertise to comply with such as the import and manufacturing of novel food ingredients (e.g. plant-based proteins).
- Issues related to emerging sectors where regulations are unclear or still being developed such as the deployment of autonomous mobile robots and use of hydrogen as an energy source.
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