Dear Members and Friends GONG XI FA CAI! I hope you all have had an enjoyable start to The Year of the Rooster! In addition to being a big year for your Chamber, 2017 marks the 50th Anniversary of the introduction of National Service (NS). The late Mr Lee Kuan Yew once said: “Without a strong Singapore Armed Forces, there is no economic future.” That is precisely why the Chamber and its members have always supported NS and NSmen. They provide the security under which business can thrive. Companies owe it to their NSmen to ensure they are supported while serving the country and are not disadvantaged in their careers. Launched in August 2016, the NS Mark is a national-level accreditation scheme that recognises  businesses and organisations which  put  in place  policies  and  human  resource  practices  that support NS and  Total Defence (TD). I am delighted to tell you that the Chamber and Chamber members Ricoh Singapore and Edmund Tie & Company have been newly accredited with the NS Mark. Ricoh Singapore and Edmund Tie & Company are good examples of how companies play a very important role in the support for NS. Like the Chamber, they have implemented pro-NS policies to help NSmen manage both their work and their NS commitments. This includes granting time-off for staff to attend NS and related matters as well as providing arrangements to cover their workplace duties while they are away. I know Ricoh Singapore and Edmund Tie & Company are not alone in being pro-NS. Celebrate the first 50 years of NS with them and your Chamber by pledging your company’s commitment to continue to support NS and NSmen. You can do this by applying for the NS Mark by visiting www.nsmark.sg. Warmest regards Victor Mills Chief Executive

Smart & Lean Work Practices for Your Business, 16 February 2017 Our guest speakers from KPMG, myWorkflowww and Epicentre Limited will share practical tips to help you streamline your operations and allow you to focus more resources on development and sales.  Read more Innovation Series, 22 February 2017 Join us for a fireside chat with a panel of innovation experts who will draw from their own experiences as innovators to share practical tips and ideas that you can take back to your business and work. Read more Post-Budget Talk, 27 February 2017 Attend the Chamber’s 2017 Post-Budget Talk and hear from our expert speakers as they examine the key measures, tax changes and policy directions of Budget 2017.  Read more SICC 180th Anniversary Gala Dinner, 24 March 2017 Join us as we celebrate 180 years of collective service to the business community and to Singapore. The gala dinner will be attended by senior business leaders, diplomats, key government officials and heads of business and trade associations. This event is also held in conjunction with the 2017 SICC Awards Ceremony.  Read more  Getting the most out of LinkedIn: 10 Top Tips, 4 April 2017 Sign up for this practical and fun learning session led by Chris Reed, Founder and CEO of Black Marketing and Official LinkedIn Power Profile. Chris will share 10 practical tips on how you can leverage LinkedIn for marketing and networking purposes.  Read more