Second Edition of SABS® Opens with the Launch of the “Transforming the Singapore Economy Report”
The 2nd Singapore Apex Business Summit (SABS®) was launched this morning at Sands Expo and Convention Center. Themed “End of Business as Usual: Shaping the Future of Business”, this year’s event puts a spotlight on the tumultuous changes impacting businesses arising from the external uncertainties, the need to keep up with the accelerated pace of technological changes and net-zero transition.
The three-day summit from 23 to 25 July commenced with the Future Economy Conference (FEC) which was held for the first time in conjunction with Company of Good (COG) Conference, co-hosted by SBF and the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre. The partnership reflects the dual emphasis on businesses to do well and do good simultaneously and be future-ready.
More than 1,000 business leaders, senior government officials attended the conference themed ‘End of Business as Usual: Smart Technology and the Future of Work’, demonstrating the strong interest from the business community in this flagship business event, which aims to empower Singapore businesses on innovation, sustainability, human capital development and social responsibility.
The opening speech was delivered by Guest-of-Honour, Mr Heng Swee Keat, Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore, who announced the launch of the ‘Transforming the Singapore Economy Report’. The report celebrates the contributions of the many stakeholders who have contributed to Singapore’s economic transformation in the past several years.
This year marks the debut of Community Marketplace at SABS®, an initiative by the SBF Foundation that bridges business with social impact. President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Patron of SBF Foundation, launched the event and engaged with corporates who have collaborated with community partners, showcasing the value of social impact programmes for businesses, communities, and the economy.
Mr Lim Ming Yan, Chairman of Singapore Business Federation, in this morning’s welcome address, launched the ‘Future-Ready Businesses (FRB) Spotlights’, a new SBF initiative that brings the business community on experiential visits to organisations that are leading the charge in harnessing future economy opportunities in innovation and sustainability.
Participants would visit Keppel Marina East Desalination Plant, Schneider Electric Innovation Hub, PSA Innovation Centre and Mastercard Experience Center during SABS. A series of other FRB Spotlights in partnership with similar future-ready businesses are already scheduled over the next few months.
Mr Lim said: “Spotlight visits are designed to offer businesses unique learning opportunities to pioneering organisations that are adopting innovative strategies and cutting-edge solutions to future-proof their operations. We hope these interactions will ignite their innovation journey, empowering them to explore solutions that align with their business needs.”
Today's event specifically highlighted thought leaders from various sectors who addressed how businesses can drive positive change by cultivating a purpose-driven culture, embracing sustainability and technology and building strategic partnerships in this ever-changing business landscape. Discussions revolved around digital transformation, fostering a new, connected workplace culture, integrating sustainability principles across industries, and building a future of work that prioritises not just environmental responsibility, but also social impact.
Influential business leaders also gathered at the United Nations Global Compact Network Singapore (GCNS) CEO Roundtable 2024 at SABS® today to drive progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Themed “Forward Faster – Guiding Companies Towards Decisive Action for 2030”, the Forward Faster Initiative sparked robust discussions and inspired leaders to commit and work towards meeting SGDs.
SABS® will see two more events taking place over the next two days, the Singapore Regional Business Forum (SRBF®) which will explore transformative discussions including shaping the sustainable future of Asia and the Future of Trade Forum (FOTF), which will address trade issues arising from an increasingly challenging global business environment.
Other Guests-of-Honour at SABS® 2024 events over the next 2 days include Mr Teo Chee Hean, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security and Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Minister for Social and Family Development & Second Minister for Health at the Singapore Regional Business Forum (SRBF®) on 24 July; Mr Alvin Tan, Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth & Trade and Industry at the Future-Ready Networking Night on 24 July, and Dr Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry at the Future of Trade Forum (FOTF) on 25 July.
The prestigious summit boasts over 100 speakers across three days, including prominent industry leaders like Mr Dilhan Pillay Sandrasegara, Executive Director & CEO of Temasek Holdings, Mr John Denton, Secretary-General of International Chamber of Commerceand Mr Ho Kwon Ping, Founder and Executive Chairman of Banyan Tree Holdings.
Over both days, more announcements will be made on new partnerships to help businesses in their overseas expansions, to advance global trade that is inclusive, sustainable and future-ready and a framework designed to help companies measure their social impact.
A full overview of today’s agenda and information on what’s to come for the next two days can be found here: SABS® programme.
The three-day summit from 23 to 25 July commenced with the Future Economy Conference (FEC) which was held for the first time in conjunction with Company of Good (COG) Conference, co-hosted by SBF and the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre. The partnership reflects the dual emphasis on businesses to do well and do good simultaneously and be future-ready.
More than 1,000 business leaders, senior government officials attended the conference themed ‘End of Business as Usual: Smart Technology and the Future of Work’, demonstrating the strong interest from the business community in this flagship business event, which aims to empower Singapore businesses on innovation, sustainability, human capital development and social responsibility.
The opening speech was delivered by Guest-of-Honour, Mr Heng Swee Keat, Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore, who announced the launch of the ‘Transforming the Singapore Economy Report’. The report celebrates the contributions of the many stakeholders who have contributed to Singapore’s economic transformation in the past several years.
This year marks the debut of Community Marketplace at SABS®, an initiative by the SBF Foundation that bridges business with social impact. President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Patron of SBF Foundation, launched the event and engaged with corporates who have collaborated with community partners, showcasing the value of social impact programmes for businesses, communities, and the economy.
Mr Lim Ming Yan, Chairman of Singapore Business Federation, in this morning’s welcome address, launched the ‘Future-Ready Businesses (FRB) Spotlights’, a new SBF initiative that brings the business community on experiential visits to organisations that are leading the charge in harnessing future economy opportunities in innovation and sustainability.
Participants would visit Keppel Marina East Desalination Plant, Schneider Electric Innovation Hub, PSA Innovation Centre and Mastercard Experience Center during SABS. A series of other FRB Spotlights in partnership with similar future-ready businesses are already scheduled over the next few months.
Mr Lim said: “Spotlight visits are designed to offer businesses unique learning opportunities to pioneering organisations that are adopting innovative strategies and cutting-edge solutions to future-proof their operations. We hope these interactions will ignite their innovation journey, empowering them to explore solutions that align with their business needs.”
Today's event specifically highlighted thought leaders from various sectors who addressed how businesses can drive positive change by cultivating a purpose-driven culture, embracing sustainability and technology and building strategic partnerships in this ever-changing business landscape. Discussions revolved around digital transformation, fostering a new, connected workplace culture, integrating sustainability principles across industries, and building a future of work that prioritises not just environmental responsibility, but also social impact.
Influential business leaders also gathered at the United Nations Global Compact Network Singapore (GCNS) CEO Roundtable 2024 at SABS® today to drive progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Themed “Forward Faster – Guiding Companies Towards Decisive Action for 2030”, the Forward Faster Initiative sparked robust discussions and inspired leaders to commit and work towards meeting SGDs.
SABS® will see two more events taking place over the next two days, the Singapore Regional Business Forum (SRBF®) which will explore transformative discussions including shaping the sustainable future of Asia and the Future of Trade Forum (FOTF), which will address trade issues arising from an increasingly challenging global business environment.
Other Guests-of-Honour at SABS® 2024 events over the next 2 days include Mr Teo Chee Hean, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security and Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Minister for Social and Family Development & Second Minister for Health at the Singapore Regional Business Forum (SRBF®) on 24 July; Mr Alvin Tan, Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth & Trade and Industry at the Future-Ready Networking Night on 24 July, and Dr Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry at the Future of Trade Forum (FOTF) on 25 July.
The prestigious summit boasts over 100 speakers across three days, including prominent industry leaders like Mr Dilhan Pillay Sandrasegara, Executive Director & CEO of Temasek Holdings, Mr John Denton, Secretary-General of International Chamber of Commerceand Mr Ho Kwon Ping, Founder and Executive Chairman of Banyan Tree Holdings.
Over both days, more announcements will be made on new partnerships to help businesses in their overseas expansions, to advance global trade that is inclusive, sustainable and future-ready and a framework designed to help companies measure their social impact.
A full overview of today’s agenda and information on what’s to come for the next two days can be found here: SABS® programme.
