Hong Kong – NovationWire, the Asia based PR distribution newswire who is focusing on the fin-tech, AI, AR/VR/XR, digital marketing & blockchain industries, has released a report on ‘Insight of Marketing Trends of 2022 for Europe & US Companies’. Content marketers have become an integral part of any B2B marketing team. Users can’t just have a half – hearted piece of content. Instead, users need video content, virtual events, or any type of a solid editorial plan in place, complete with all different content types. Users need solid blog content, visual content, video content, an email marketing strategy, and a social media strategy rich complete with substantial audience engagement. Don’t forget to invest in a good customer experience on customers’ website to keep customers’ audience coming back for more. Customers are interested in products because they either solve a want or a need. This has been a trend and is an ongoing trend for 2022. Through content creation, show potential customers how customers’ product solves that want or need and let that shine through customers’ content. The trick is to do this without sounding too much like a salesperson. Instead, focus on educating customers with data and information. If users are the one who gives good information about how a product fills the need or want, then users start the trust process, which leads to sales. Today’s consumers are flooded with marketing messages from multiple channels to the point where they have started to tune them out. Traditional advertising is losing its effectiveness, so what’s the answer? Personalized marketing messages that forge a real connection between the brand and the target market. So, go way beyond the “Hi [Customer Name]” emails, “Don’t users want to make more money?” popups, or “Hey, come back here.” cheesy messages in the browser titles to find what makes customers tick. Then, give them content that will win their hearts. The head of influence at Ogilvy is convinced influencer marketing will move from engagement – based metrics to ROI – based metrics in 2022, and he’s not the only one. Given the general movement towards ROI becoming the dominant measure of success, influencer marketing is merely the latest area of brand positioning that is being held to account. For brand positioning efforts, this means ensuring that customers’ brand ambassadors can provide users with tangible predictions and results – and ensuring that customers’ marketing team is offering support across all channels. Watch the data and consider multitouch attribution. Remember that not every piece of content should be geared to a conversion or a sale. Keep sight of other metrics like traffic, leads, and events on customers’ website that indicate engagement on these levels. It might take dozens of steps for someone to convert through the stages of their journey, especially in B2B content marketing. So, adding an extended attribution window and a multitouch approach can help users measure and track the impact of different content pieces, even if the user didn’t convert immediately. This is one of those enduring branding trends, as the closer, customers’ customer experience reflects the values users hold dear as a brand, the more authentic the experiences users provide will feel. Customers’ marketing efforts will need to be aligned to customers’ overall brand strategy and values, with steps to re – align as time goes on built into customers’ planned actions. Every step of customers’ brand’s customer journey will need to feel genuine and promote customers’ key values, so it’s worth looking into a journey mapping tool to help users catch any missing pieces. About NovationWire NovationWire offers deep insight into industry trends in the financial market. NovationWire provides easy and quick solutions that allow customers to capture, monitor, and audit market data from a holistic view down to an individual task on market research and industry trend insights, especially in including Fin-tech, blockchain, NFT, Metaverse gaming, AR/VR/XR, AI learning and leading biotech industries. They also provide guidance to SMEs in PR distribution, Global News Release, Content Marketing in Southeast Asia. For a long time, NovationWire has based in East Asia and Southeast Asia (Japan, Korea, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, etc.). To date, the company has provided data and analytics services to more than 1,000 enterprise clients. For PR contact Brand: NovationWire Market Research Contact: Tony Lee, Press Release Distribution Head at NovationWire Address: Room C21, G-Floor Greenland Court, No. 88 Ma Tau Wai Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong Email: support@novwire.com Website: https://www.novationwire.com/ SOURCE: NovationWire Market Research
MANILA, Apr 25, 2022 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Supporters across the Asia-Pacific region started volunteering over the weekend on Habitat for Humanity sites in their home countries to mark the culmination of its 2022 Young Leaders Build campaign. This marks the first time the housing nonprofit hosted in-person youth volunteers in its build sites since the coronavirus pandemic began.Cambodia – Young volunteers and Habitat staff take HYLB on a campus tour to raise awareness about the campaign and the need for decent, affordable housingPhilippines – Members of the Habitat for Humanity campus chapter in De La Salle University in the Philippines visited the Pasig 2 Habitat Housing community to work alongside homeowners on community gardens."Over the last two years, the youth responded creatively as the health and economic fallouts due to the global pandemic took a toll on everyone. Working virtually with Habitat for Humanity, they helped vulnerable families and communities to stay safe in decent shelter. We are excited to welcome young volunteers back on our build sites, following local health protocols in areas where the spread of the pandemic is controlled, to build and repair homes alongside local families in need," said Luis Noda, Vice-President for Asia-Pacific, Habitat for Humanity International.In Indonesia and the Philippines, long-term Habitat volunteers trained their peers about the importance of building decent, affordable housing. In Cambodia, volunteers are expected to build and repair at least four houses later this week.Volunteers in the Asia-Pacific region also used virtual spaces to raise awareness of COVID-19 safety and the links between health and housing. They will continue to raise funds to support Habitat's mission in the region."A house is where all of your basic needs are met. But sadly, a lot of people still don't have access to adequate housing. This is where we as youth should come together to increase awareness of the situation and work to solve the housing problem in our community, country and all around the world," said Monica Hartono, a volunteer from Indonesia. Together with fellow students from Wardaya College, she implemented Project: Home, virtual fundraising sessions in support of families in need of decent homes. In December 2021, young leaders launched the 2022 campaign with the #VolunteeringisViral Challenge, a social media-based activity that aimed to highlight the power of volunteering to inspire action for good.In the four months since the annual campaign's launch, thousands of supporters have hosted and attended learning events about the housing needs in Asia-Pacific and their respective countries, supported disaster response efforts, assisted older people in cleaning and repairing homes. They also advocated for more support and funding for the housing sector. In addition, supporters have used crowdfunding sites in support of various Habitat projects in 10 countries and one special administrative region and assisted in fundraising events.Since 2012, over 17 million supporters have raised US$9.2 million, enabling more than 33,300 families to achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. While the 2022 campaign peaks in end-April, the momentum will continue as youth groups and volunteers are expected to participate in Habitat's upcoming global advocacy campaign. About Habitat for HumanityDriven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity found its earliest inspirations as a grassroots movement on an interracial community farm in U.S.A. Since its founding in 1976, the housing organization has grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in more than 70 countries. In the Asia-Pacific region since 1983, Habitat for Humanity has supported millions of people to build or improve a place they can call home. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. To learn more, donate or volunteer, visit habitat.org/asiapacific. About Habitat for Humanity Young Leaders BuildSince 2012, Habitat for Humanity Young Leaders Build brings together youth from across the Asia Pacific region to support people and families in need of decent housing. Every young person volunteering, fundraising, raising awareness and adding their voices in support of affordable housing can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. The movement encourages youth to take the lead and motivate their peers to create societal changes by building homes and communities, on a Habitat build site and/or online through their social networks.For further information, please contact Ms. Angeli Alba-Pascual, AAlba@habitat.org, +63 920 956 3376, or Ms. Michele Soh, MSoh@habitat.org, +65 9233 1544. Please find a short video on the call for youth volunteers to support Habitat for Humanity's mission, www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMC8LyQL_Sc. Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)
SINGAPORE - Staff who return to the workplace must be fully vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19 in the past 270 days, from Jan 1 next year (2022). There are some 113,000 unvaccinated workers in Singapore. Only a small proportion are medically ineligible for the Covid-19 vaccination. Around 14,000 unvaccinated workers are above the age of 60 and at high risk of severe illness or death from Covid-19 infection. These figures were released by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on Saturday (Oct 23), when it announced that only fully vaccinated employees or those who have recovered from Covid-19 can return to the workplace. MOH and MOM noted that 96 per cent of Singapore's workforce had been vaccinated and that 70 per cent of firms had attained 100 per cent vaccination coverage for their employees as at Oct 17. The latest expansion of vaccination-differentiated measures means unvaccinated people will need to test negative for Covid-19 before they can return to the workplace. They will need to pay for these antigen rapid tests, the results of which are valid for 24 hours. Employers who are negligent or wilful in allowing unvaccinated workers to enter the workplace without a valid pre-event test (PET) result will be in breach of safe management measures. Here are some details that businesses need to know about the new rules, according to MOM. Q: Do I need to pay for tests for my unvaccinated employees who need to report to the workplace? A: Unvaccinated staff who are medically eligible for Covid-19 vaccines will have to bear the costs of tests, which can be done at an MOH-approved test provider. Employers should come to reasonable arrangements with pregnant employees on sharing the costs of their tests. Companies are strongly encouraged to give special consideration to pregnant employees' needs and concerns, and should consider supporting them through measures such as allowing them to work from home if they are able to do so, according to a separate advisory by MOM, MOH, the National Trades Union Congress and the Singapore National Employers Federation. Pregnant staff are, however, strongly encouraged to be vaccinated as they will otherwise be at higher risk of complications should they contract Covid-19. They should consult their obstetricians. Q: The unvaccinated workers in my company undergo regular testing twice a week, but need to report to work every day. Do they need to be tested more frequently next year? A: Unvaccinated employees can return to the workplace on the days they take the antigen rapid test and test negative. Additional tests will be required on other days when regular testing is not done and they need to report to the workplace. Q: My unvaccinated worker's test result is not valid for the full duration that he is at the workplace. Is he allowed to remain at work? A: The PET result is valid for 24 hours and must cover the full duration that staff need to be at work. Employees who need to remain at work must obtain a negative result on another test that is valid for the duration not covered by the first test. Q: My employee refuses to disclose his vaccination status. What should I do? A: Employers may treat these workers and prospective staff as unvaccinated when it comes to matters such as accessing the workplace, implementing workforce vaccination measures and bearing additional costs, according to MOM. Companies may ask employees to show their vaccination status through their TraceTogether app and token, HealthHub app or their physical vaccination card. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM Q: How do I check employees' vaccination status? A: Companies may ask employees to show their vaccination status through the TraceTogether app and token, HealthHub app or physical vaccination card. Q: My foreign employee was declared medically ineligible for vaccination in his home country. Can I accept that as proof of him being medically ineligible? A: Such workers will need to be certified medically ineligible for the vaccines under Singapore's national vaccination programme by a registered doctor here. Q: Can I require potential hires to be vaccinated? A: Yes, companies can require potential employees to be vaccinated while recruiting them or in job advertisements. Q: Do vaccinated employees need to be tested before they enter the workplace? A: Companies must comply with existing regulations for testing vaccinated employees. If there are no such requirements, employers are still encouraged to regularly test vaccinated employees who return to the workplace, as well as bear the costs of tests for these employees. More on this topic Related Story Living with Covid-19: New domestic, border measures announced on Oct 23 Related Story 3 'brakes' needed to control spread of Covid-19 in S'pore Q: Do visitors such as customers and clients also need to be vaccinated? A: Visitors to workplaces are typically transient in nature, so they are not subject to workforce vaccination measures. Self-employed individuals - including delivery drivers, private-hire drivers and real estate agents - are generally also exempted from these measures because many of them do not have fixed workplaces. However, owners of premises should implement the measures for self-employed people who work regularly at these places. Non-employees - such as independent contractors and vendors - need to comply with the workforce vaccination rules if they work in the same place as other staff. Related Stories: Related Story China on high alert as Covid-19 outbreaks linked to domestic tourists spread Related Story S'pore's Covid-19 measures to be extended till Nov 21, to be reviewed at 2-week mark Related Story What you need to know about the new Covid-19 Delta Plus variant AY.4.2 Related Story Ed Sheeran says he has tested positive for Covid-19 Related Story Small needles, short queues and few tears - Biden's plan to vaccinate young children Related Story Street gangs may hold key to New Zealand hitting 90% Covid-19 vaccination rate target Related Story Will new Covid-19 treatments prove to be as elusive for poor countries as vaccines? Related Story What scientists know about the risk of breakthrough Covid-19 deaths Related Story What the future holds for the coronavirus and us Related Story Why some nations have deadlier outbreaks with the same Covid-19 vaccines
Good morning! Here are our top stories to kick-start your Sunday, June 27. New enterprises bloom in S'pore despite Covid-19 gloom There were 63,480 new enterprises last year, up from 61,573 in 2019. READ MORE HERE Housewife who starved, tortured and killed Myanmar maid: What drove her to violence? Gaiyathiri Murugayan was sentenced to 30 years' jail for abusing her domestic helper. READ MORE HERE Elderly woman who visited Bukit Merah View block dies of Covid-19; new cases include CGH nurse The 84-year-old Singaporean had not been vaccinated and had a history of cancer and hypertension. READ MORE HERE More on this topic Related Story ST newsletters: Get alerts on the latest news Firms in S’pore turn to tech, online space to weather pandemic storm While figures show that a significant number of new businesses opened last year, some sectors have seen their fair share of firms going belly-up. READ MORE HERE S'pore's F&B business owners grapple with dine-in curbs while juggling delivery For restaurants that are newly opened or about to open, owners have had to tweak their timelines and plans. READ MORE HERE Phuket gets ready for tourists amid Covid-19 in 'sandbox' experiment by Thai govt The reopening can be suspended if more than 90 infections are recorded a week on the island. READ MORE HERE A 'silver tsunami' looms. What can Singapore do about it? Decisive steps have to be taken to keep older workers in jobs for longer and improve the caregiving landscape, says deputy news editor Royston Sim. READ MORE HERE More cyclists caught riding illegally on S'pore expressways this year With many taking up regular cycling, some are unfamiliar with the road network or regulations. READ MORE HERE Use S'pore's Census 2020 to plan your own retirement Getting a peek at growing trends, such as the ageing population, should signal how older folk will need more help. READ MORE HERE Spend time with friends without breaking Covid-19 rules: 5 ways to hang out virtually Have fun with friends by playing games or watching movies together online. READ MORE HERE
PARIS (AFP) - Kylian Mbappe is a doubt for Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League semi-final second leg against Manchester City on Tuesday (May 4) according to coach Mauricio Pochettino. Mbappe missed PSG's 2-1 win over Lens in Ligue 1 at the weekend with a calf problem but was included in the squad that travelled to Manchester. "I think we need to assess Kylian. Today he is going to start training individually and then we'll see if he can be with the team at the end," Pochettino told reporters at a press conference on Monday just before his side's last training session prior to the game. "There is still one day and we have not yet decided if he can be available or not to play," added Pochettino. Losing Mbappe would be a huge blow for the Parisians as they try to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg at home against Pep Guardiola's side. The France striker has starred for his club in this season's Champions League, scoring a hat-trick in their 4-1 win away in Barcelona in the last 16 and a double away to Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals. He first caught the eye of fans beyond France by scoring against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium for Monaco in the Champions League last 16 in 2017, aged just 18. That was his first goal in the competition. PSG will definitely be without midfielder Idrissa Gana Gueye for Tuesday's game. He is suspended after being sent off late on in the first leg. The French club are aiming to reach the final for the second season running after narrowly losing to Bayern Munich last year in Lisbon and Pochettino said motivating his side for the challenge would not be a problem. "In these games, the semi-finals of the Champions League, I think 'Houston, we have a problem' if we need to motivate our players," he said. "We would need to have a chat if that was the case. Players love to play these games. Nobody wants to miss out." Pochettino is hoping for a repeat of what he achieved two years ago with Tottenham, who lost 1-0 at home to Ajax in the first leg of the semi-finals but won 3-2 away in the return fixture to reach the final. That was after knocking out City in the quarter-finals. "We will need to be ready to suffer in some periods of the game but when we have our chances we need to be clinical and we need to be aggressive. "We need two goals if we want the possibility to go through to the final - that is the objective and we are going to try." More on this topic Related Story Football: Mahrez grabs winner as Man City come from behind to beat 10-man PSG Related Story Football: 'Enjoy yourselves', Guardiola tells Man City ahead of PSG test
Good morning! Here are our top stories to kick-start your Monday, April 19. Covid-19 vaccine take-up rate for seniors in S'pore expected to rise: Experts Despite mobility and literacy issues, more will go for the jab as they gain confidence in it. READ MORE HERE 34 cyclists in S'pore caught breaking rules on roads over 2 days: LTA They include 16 cyclists who rode on the road without helmets and another 16 who ran the red light. READ MORE HERE Sole Covid-19 community case in S'pore tests preliminarily positive for B117 strain The bunker tanker crewman did not disembark from the vessel except to go for Covid-19 testing and vaccination. READ MORE HERE S'pore takes Swiss cheese approach to Covid-19 contact tracing Each method may have its shortcomings, but put together, they make up a solid whole, said the head of MOH's contact tracing centre. READ MORE HERE ‘I wanted to escape this life by hiding who I was’ Japan’s ‘untouchables’ are still ostracised in modern times purely because of their lineage. READ MORE HERE US, China agreement set to spur global climate action The agreement is likely to bolster Mr Biden’s climate summit on Thursday and Friday. READ MORE HERE Gig workers in S'pore need more structural support: Observers Uber’s move to classify its drivers in UK as workers, rather than self-employed, offers tips on managing local situation. READ MORE HERE Health Sciences Authority to get new home in Jalan Bukit Merah Current plans show it will comprise a nine-storey laboratory block and a 13-storey office block. READ MORE HERE Two bodies found in Singapore River near Clarke Quay One man reportedly fell into the river after drinking and the other was said to have jumped in to rescue him. READ MORE HERE Felicia Chin misses out on 10th trophy, Marcus Chin chalks up first win at Star Awards 2021 Zoe Tay won Best Actress for My Guardian Angels while Qi Yuwu took home Best Actor for his time-travelling role in A Quest To Heal. READ MORE HERE
SINGAPORE - From public affairs to market analysis to research work, jobs in the sustainability sector are wide-ranging and may not require specialised skill sets, say human resource experts. "There is a general misconception that you need to be highly skilled in technical roles to participate in the green economy," says Ms Jaya Dass, managing director for Malaysia and Singapore at recruitment firm Randstad Singapore. Please subscribe or log in to continue reading the full article. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month Latest headlines and exclusive stories In-depth analyses and award-winning multimedia content Get access to all with our no-contract promotional package at only $0.99/month for the first 3 months* Subscribe now *Terms and conditions apply.
SINGAPORE - Parliament's annual debate on the spending plans of the Government and various ministries ended on Monday (March 8). Here are 11 key themes which emerged. 1. Cushioning petrol duty hikes As part of measures to shift towards a greener and sustainable Singapore for all generations, petrol duty rates will be raised by 15 cents per litre for premium petrol and 10 cents per litre for intermediate petrol. The Government will set aside $113 million to provide rebates for petrol and petrol-hybrid vehicles, to ease the transition following the hike. There will be a 15 per cent road tax rebate for owners of private cars for one year, and a 60 per cent rebate for those owning motorcycles. Owners of commercial vehicles will get a 100 per cent tax rebate for a year. Additional petrol duty rebates for motorcycles, taxis and private-hire cars will be introduced by the middle of this year, with more details to be released next month. Taken together, these measures will offset about one year of petrol duty increases for taxis and motorcycles, and about two-thirds for commercial vehicles and cars. Some full-time delivery and ride-hailing drivers baulked at the impact this would have on their earnings, with some saying they would have to drive more to cover the increased cost of petrol. Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh slammed the hike as an "ill-timed bolt from the blue". More on this topic Related Story A taxing affair: What's next after petrol duty and GST hikes? Related Story No more new diesel cars, taxis in S'pore from 2025 2. Transforming economy beyond Covid-19 Strengthening Singapore’s global hub status is one of the ways outlined to help the country seize opportunities in the post-Covid-19 world. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM Three strategies were outlined by Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing to help Singapore seize opportunities in the post-Covid-19 world: strengthen its global hub status, entrench it as a critical and hard-to-replace node in global value chains, and build capabilities in Singaporean enterprises and workers so they can compete in a more globalised world. Local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will be given a leg-up. Under enhancements to Scale-up SG, the Government aims to groom another 50 future local champions over the next two years. Specialist advisers will be deployed at SME centres to provide support with finance and digitalisation. Under the enhancements to the Global Innovation Alliance (GIA), which aims to help local start-ups expand and connect with technology and business communities overseas, companies will get support of up to 70 per cent of qualifying costs to co-innovate with overseas partners. Access to new markets will be improved by expanding the GIA network from 15 to 25 cities over the next five years. More on this topic Related Story S'pore to strengthen global business hub status and help firms, workers compete: Chan Chun Sing Related Story Strategy to boost S'pore's position as global IP hub in the works 3. Keeping Singapore safe More police cameras will be installed islandwide. They have been a “game changer” in helping to solve cases, said Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam. ST PHOTO: JOYCE FANG By 2025, Singapore will have its first top-level biosafety containment lab to help it prepare for the next pandemic. Some $90 million will be spent to upgrade the capabilities of the national defence research agency, DSO National Laboratories, enabling it to isolate and culture new emerging infectious disease pathogens, and develop diagnostics and solutions. The Singapore Armed Forces is also reviewing the way it classifies the fitness levels of national service enlistees - meaning that more people will be able to take on operational roles regardless of their medical fitness. On the ground, more police cameras will be installed islandwide over the next few years, with Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam saying that these tools have been a "game changer" in helping to solve cases. His ministry will also be "fine-tuning" proposed laws to counter hostile information campaigns and guard against the threat of foreign interference in domestic politics. More on this topic Related Story $90m to be spent on S'pore's first top-level biosafety lab, to be operational by 2025 Related Story More police cameras to be installed islandwide as Home Team taps tech to enhance ops 4. Helping businesses go digital The Covid-19 pandemic saw a sizeable uptick in technology adoption throughout society, from hawker stalls to hotels. But more is being done. A Chief Technology Officer-as-a-Service initiative to be launched later this year will help SMEs tap digital consultancy and project management services. Ongoing digital initiatives have enjoyed strong outreach. The SMEs Go Digital programme has benefited more than 63,000 enterprises since its launch in 2017, with around 40,000 signing up last year. At least 2,000 enterprises have gained access to overseas markets through e-commerce platforms under the Grow Digital scheme. More on this topic Related Story New multi-platform package to help firms grow and go global Related Story Budget 2021 signals shift to supporting future growth: ST-UOB Roundtable 5. Strengthening the Singaporean core While ministers stressed the need for the economy to remain open to talent, they noted the need to strengthen the Singaporean core. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG One of the ministries that attracted a large number of speeches from MPs was the Ministry of Manpower, with legislators calling for better protection for gig economy, low-wage and mature workers. While ministers stressed the need for the economy to remain open to talent, they noted the need to strengthen the Singaporean core. Manpower Minister Josephine Teo said: "Our fundamental objective is always to serve the interests of Singaporean workers. Access to foreign workers is meant to help grow a larger economic pie than we otherwise can. Therefore, the foreign workforce must act as a complement to our local workforce." From May 1 this year, foreigners staying in Singapore on dependant's passes will need a work pass to work here, instead of a letter of consent. This means their employers will need to apply for an Employment Pass, S Pass or work permit for them, and the relevant qualifications will apply. More changes to S Pass rules for foreigners could be phased in over this decade. The authorities may consider extending the Jobs Growth Incentive of salary support for local hires beyond September, especially if job displacements continue due to the pandemic. More on this topic Related Story Raising of retirement, re-employment ages will go ahead as planned in 2022 Related Story Covid-19 shows gig workers need more help: Labour MP 6. Boosting the hiring of older workers MPs raised concerns such as the retirement adequacy of older workers, whether they have ample job options should they choose to work longer, and how to ensure that they remain relevant and future-ready. Responding, the Manpower Ministry said that raising the statutory retirement age to 63 and the re-employment age to 68 will go ahead as planned on July 1 next year. Grants for employers who hire older workers beyond the statutory retirement and re-employment ages will be extended. More than $200 million will be allocated for the Senior Worker Early Adopter Grant and the Part-Time Re-employment Grant, which were introduced in last year's Budget. To be eligible, companies will need to adopt the Tripartite Standard on Age-Friendly Workplace Practices as an additional requirement for both grants. These moves will help shape a new norm among employers, to raise the retirement and re-employment ages to 65 and 70 respectively, before 2030. More on this topic Related Story Job redesign, mindset change needed to better support older workers Related Story Govt aspires for every sector of economy to have 'some form of progressive wages' 7. Making buying and renting of HDB flats easier Flat buyers can apply for housing loans from participating financial institutions directly on the Housing Board flat portal. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG Flat buyers can submit their documents and be assessed for grants and loans in one application, instead of having to send multiple applications. They can also apply for housing loans from participating financial institutions directly on the Housing Board flat portal. Three previously separate eligibility checks will now be streamlined into one application, made through the HDB flat portal. The outcomes will then be sent to applicants in a new HDB Flat Eligibility letter. Under a new pilot model later this year, singles will be able to apply for public rental flats without having to find a flatmate first. The Housing Board will appoint a social service agency to manage these flats. More on this topic Related Story HDB flat-buying process to be streamlined; buyers can apply for bank loan on flat portal Related Story HDB flats in prime areas: Limiting resale buyers, longer MOP among ideas for future projects 8. A more inclusive education system At the Institute of Technical Education (above), the curriculum will be streamlined to allow more students to attain a Higher Nitec qualification within a shorter time. ST PHOTO: TIMOTHY DAVID The Education Ministry unveiled plans to build more "bridges" and "ladders" to enable students to discover and develop their unique interests and strengths as they move up the system. The Institute of Technical Education curriculum will be streamlined to allow more students to attain a Higher Nitec qualification within a shorter time. The popular Polytechnic Foundation Programme, which prepares selected Normal (Academic) students for entry into polytechnics, will be reviewed to see how it can be expanded to cater to a more diverse profile of secondary school students. And a new private university of the arts will be formed by the alliance of the Lasalle College of the Arts and the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, to offer more degree pathways in the arts. In the early childhood sector, starting from the second half of 2023, every pre-school will appoint an inclusion coordinator to identify and support children with developmental needs. The KidStart programme, to help young children from low-income families, will be expanded to another three towns. The Community Link (ComLink) programme, which provides comprehensive and coordinated support to low-income families, will also be expanded nationwide to 21 towns over two years. This will cover all 14,000 families with children who live in highly subsidised rental housing. To ensure that schools are kept open to students from all backgrounds, the Education Ministry will review the Primary 1 registration framework to see how it can increase the number of places set aside under Phase 2C, which is the open phase for those who do not enjoy any form of priority admission. More on this topic Related Story All students to have avenues to progress and pursue their interests: Lawrence Wong Related Story More support for inclusive education in pre-schools 9. Becoming a bright green spark Solar panels on a building in Clementi. Buildings, which contribute more than 20 per cent to national emissions, will be made more energy-efficient. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG Green campuses, electric vehicles and industry transformation were all brought up in the joint segment on sustainability, during which seven ministers spoke. Buildings, which contribute more than 20 per cent to national emissions, will be made more energy-efficient. Park spaces will be increased, with efforts made to go green even in recreational spaces such as Sentosa, which will be transformed into a carbon-neutral destination by 2030. And a renewed push for electric vehicles looks set to reduce emissions from the land transport sector, which is now responsible for 14 per cent of Singapore's emissions. Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean added that the goals Singapore has set are "not meant to be static" and that it will press ahead with emission-reducing measures within its control. But much will also depend on what is done internationally - from technological advancements to global collaboration, he said. More on this topic Related Story S'pore blazing its own trail to become a bright green spark Related Story More clarity needed on S'pore's great green transition, say MPs 10. Targeting healthcare subsidies As healthcare spending is set to rise with an ageing population, the Health Ministry is reviewing its subsidy framework to channel funds towards those who need them most, and help stretch every dollar. From next year, higher-income patients will have to pay more at specialist outpatient clinics, where two new subsidy tiers have been introduced. The lowest subsidy rate will drop from 50 per cent to 30 per cent for those with a higher per capita household income (PCHI). And acute hospitals, which now base subsidies on an individual's income, will switch to using PCHI instead - the means testing format now used by other public healthcare services. At the same time, subsidy levels at community hospitals will go up so that they more closely reflect subsidies in acute hospitals. The Covid-19 Mental Wellness Taskforce, set up last year to coordinate Singapore's response to the mental health needs arising from the pandemic, will also be transformed into an inter-agency platform to oversee such efforts beyond the crisis. The task force has three immediate priorities: develop a national strategy to align the work of various agencies, set up a national website of mental health resources for individuals, and establish a mental health competency training framework. More on this topic Related Story Healthcare subsidies to be revamped so those who need them will get more Related Story Pay hikes for over 56,000 public healthcare workers from July; nurses get up to 14% more 11. Singapore Together through alliances This new approach through partnerships between Singaporeans and the Government gained momentum, with various Singapore Together Alliances for Action (AfAs) announced. AfAs are stakeholder and industry-led collaborations that push for improvements or seize key growth opportunities for Singapore. A total of 18 have been formed thus far, with the latest two announced by Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong on Monday. One, on emerging needs and volunteerism, will focus on supporting mental wellness, helping seniors adapt to the new normal, and facilitating in-kind contributions. The second, on corporate purpose, seeks to develop a national framework to guide companies in doing good. Other AfAs look at supporting caregivers of persons with disabilities; helping companies create workplaces with work-life harmony; ground-up projects to uplift low-wage workers; enhancing online learning opportunities; and supplying smart devices to the needy. More on this topic Related Story New alliances to support mental wellness, learning for seniors and corporate charity Related Story New scheme to spur alliances aims to boost transformation of S'pore's built environment sector
In this turbulent coronavirus era, Sebastian Coe knows it would be foolhardy to guarantee anything, much less the staging of a global event as huge as the Olympic Games that has already been postponed from last year. But the Briton, who leads the No. 1 Olympic sport, athletics, and is also a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), remains upbeat even as the IOC leaders prepared to gather via video conference yesterday for a key meeting on the Tokyo Games. In an exclusive interview with The Straits Times on Monday, the World Athletics (WA) president pointed out that, in his frequent conversations with various stakeholders such as athletes, the IOC, the Japanese government, the international federations, delivery partners and broadcasters, the feedback has been largely enthusiastic despite recent speculation that Tokyo 2020 may be cancelled. He said: “The world is enthused by the concept, not just of an Olympic Games under normal circumstances, but an Olympic Games that can help people adjust from the challenges that we have all faced as communities. “And if we can deliver the Games safely and securely, then I think every effort should be made to do that... I think sport is important in this regeneration. “(If the Games are cancelled), the world will lose a massive moment for the uniting of humanity. Athletes will be hit hard... the ecosystem of Olympic sports depends on a successful Games culturally, economically, and psychologically.” But the 64-year-old, who was the organising committee chairman for London 2012, acknowledged the Herculean task facing the Tokyo organisers. He said: “There is no project management in the life of a city and its delivery partners, government and municipal agencies more challenging and complicated than the delivery of an Olympic Games... it is almost beyond compare.” THREE KEY ISSUES Coe cited three considerations that affect the complexion of an event that attracts over 11,000 athletes from more than 200 countries every four years. The first is to create a safe and secure environment for participants without it being “claustrophobic”. ATHLETES FIRST If you get it right for the athletes, then you’re going to get it right for most of the project management. SEBASTIAN COE, World Athletics president, on the key to running a smooth Olympics. “Security is important but it can’t be the defining image of a Games.” The second is a recognition that while the Games are staged in one city, it is being delivered to a global audience of four or five billion people. Host nations must realise that they are “hosting the world and not just hosting your local communities”. Amid all these, organisers must also remain athlete-centric, to give the stars of the show “the maximum opportunity to reach their full potential”. But this, the two-time Olympic champion noted, is perhaps the key to the running of a smooth Games: “If you get it right for the athletes, then you’re going to get it right for most of the project management.” SPECTRE OF COVID The additional challenge posed by Covid-19 this time has been immense, which is perhaps best illustrated by a 53-page “toolbox” of coronavirus regulations and protocols dealing with aspects such as immigration and the duration of athletes’ stay in the Games village or in the country. “Everything is looked at, and that is important because there can be no taboos, there shouldn’t be anything that we are not prepared to discuss publicly and transparently,” said Coe. SAFETY CONCERN We need to have our Covid protocols, our systems in place, that everybody recognises are very, very robust and we need to vigorously adhere to them. COE, on managing the pandemic during the Tokyo Games. He acknowledged the inherent moral dilemma – the successful staging of the Olympics can be a celebration of resilience, but it can also be a public health and public relations disaster if an outbreak happens amid the Games. “We put two groups of people at the centre to make sure there is a safe and secure Games – obviously the athletes, but equally, the people of Tokyo and Sapporo where many of (athletics’) road racing events are going to take place,” he said. “We need to also consider their concerns about the world going to Japan, so we need to have our Covid protocols, our systems in place, that everybody recognises are very, very robust and we need to vigorously adhere to them. “And I can say on behalf of World Athletics, we take this very seriously. So that, I hope, is something that will create and provide comfort for the people of Japan.” NOT THE SAME AS 2020 With much of the world still in the grip of the pandemic, and with the Japanese government implementing an emergency lockdown in 11 prefectures earlier this month due to another surge in cases, there has been a sense of deja vu about the discussions surrounding the fate of the Games. But Coe noted that “there are very distinct differences this time from where we were this time last year”. He pointed out that vaccines are being rolled out and the knowledge about the virus and its medical management have improved. Over 10 months ago, global sport ground to a sudden stop with athletes left in limbo, unable to train or compete as countries went into lockdowns and facilities closed. But many athletes are now training and competing, with WA having held 36 events in the last six months. While the IOC has said that it will not make vaccination compulsory for athletes and spectators should the Tokyo Olympics proceed, Coe hopes participants will get inoculated. He revealed that the IOC is in talks with health agencies to help defray the costs for national Olympic committees that are in need. Coe said: “Sport does not want to be elbowing vulnerable communities, elderly people, front-line workers, and healthcare emergency services out of the way to get the vaccine, and I don’t believe athletes want that either. “I’m never very comfortable about mandating people to do very much... So, there is a balance here, but my personal instinct is, it is much better to allow this uptake to take place without forcing people to do it.” While he described Covid-19 as the biggest challenge that sport has confronted, he refused to look at it as a crisis, but more of a “profound period of change”. He felt that the organisations which emerge in good shape from the pandemic are those operating at two speeds – the first is dealing with Covid-19, the common enemy, and how to keep athletes training and competing; and the second is making sure they do not take their eyes off the ball for the other things that need to be done. He cited the example of what WA has been doing since the pandemic. He said: “(For WA), the last six months have been very important. “We still delivered a strategic plan, that is the road map for our sport internally for the next four years. “We have looked at many of the other issues we have been dealing with around Russia and DSD (differences of sex development), around the ability of our sport teams to look at new formats, and things that will keep our sport salient and exciting in the lives of young people. “There are some very important pillars, particularly around gender leadership, continuing to encourage more women into our sport, both in the field of play and in our governance structures. “We are still pushing ahead on all those fronts and that’s why I think World Athletics has come through this relatively well. Nobody has come through unscathed, but that is the challenge.”
After a nine-month Covid-enforced hiatus from international competitions, Singaporean shuttlers Yeo Jia Min and Loh Kean Yew finally started their season with two tournaments in Bangkok in the last two weeks. And with two months remaining in the qualifying window for the July 23-Aug 8 Olympic Games, the duo now have a better picture of what they need to do to earn their tickets to Tokyo. Qualifying starts from the Swiss Open in March and the window closes on May 2. The top 38 singles players in the men's and women's Race to Tokyo rankings will qualify and Loh and Yeo were 16th and 17th respectively before the Thailand events. Singapore's top female player, world No. 26 Yeo Jia Min was yesterday beaten 21-15, 21-7 by South Korea's world No. 9 An Se-young in the second round of the Toyota Thailand Open. Despite the defeat, the 21-year-old was the only Singaporean player to advance beyond the first round at the tournament, after she beat Indonesia's world No. 35 Ruselli Hartawan 22-20, 21-18 on Wednesday. At last week's Yonex Thailand Open, Yeo lost 21-15, 21-15 to Thailand's former world champion Ratchanok Intanon in the first round. Yeo said: "My strategy (against An) was not working and I wanted to change but I couldn't be consistent. "These two competitions have given me more focus on what to train on when I get back home so that I can be more confident in using different strategies in the future." Teammate Loh and the women's doubles pair of Crystal Wong and Jin Yujia exited the tournament in the opening rounds in their respective events. But they showed glimpses of being able to match more illustrious opponents in both Opens, as Loh lost in three games to Indonesia's world No. 7 and Asian Games champion Jonatan Christie and Thailand's three-time world junior champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn. The women's duo also lost narrowly to Thai and Danish opponents. Yeo and world No. 38 Loh are gunning for the Olympic Games but will need to find a way to overcome challenges in the next few months, such as a lack of local world-class sparring partners. National singles coach Kelvin Ho said: "Kean Yew needs to improve on his physical aspects such as fitness, while Jia Min has to work on strategy and train of thoughts during matches. "Jia Min is able to match the speed of the top players but is behind in terms of decision-making and choice of shots. Her awareness on court and her consistency can also be better." The team of five will return home tonight and serve a 14-day quarantine before resuming training and they may head to Europe for more competitions should conditions allow during the pandemic. On Wednesday, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong said local athletes who need to travel abroad to train and compete in Olympic qualifying events will be prioritised for Covid-19 vaccination. While Loh said he is eager to find out more information, he added that athletes will have to adapt and do their part if sporting events and the Olympics are to proceed as scheduled. He added: "This is the new normal, we must get used to this."
More events need to be staged in South-east Asia if the region is to raise the profile of cycling, says 2011 Tour de France champion Cadel Evans. "Events are the first step, having rides and races people can participate in to get a feel for the sport," the Australian told The Straits Times in a recent e-mail interview. Please subscribe or log in to continue reading the full article. Get unlimited access to all stories at $0.99/month Latest headlines and exclusive stories In-depth analyses and award-winning multimedia content Get access to all with our no-contract promotional package at only $0.99/month for the first 3 months* Subscribe now *Terms and conditions apply.