SUSTAINABILITY projects will get enhanced funding support of up to 70 per cent of the overall cost under the Enterprise Development Grant (EDG) for another three years, Minister of State for Trade and Industry Alvin Tan said at his ministry’s Committee of Supply debate on Tuesday (Feb 28).
From April this year, other projects under EDG will revert to a support level of up to 50 per cent, along with the Productivity Solutions Grant and Market Readiness Assistance.
Small and medium enterprises keen to measure their carbon emissions should explore the Productivity Solutions Grant, which will fund pre-scoped digital carbon accounting solutions, said Tan.
Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) and the Infocomm Media Development Authority will also explore support for “more advanced solutions” through the latter’s Advanced Digital Solutions scheme. More details for both schemes will be released in the second half of this year.
At the same time, businesses will get help to strengthen their knowledge on sustainability through new courses and playbooks.
EnterpriseSG will develop Enterprise Sustainability Programme thematic courses in topics such as decarbonisation and sustainable finance, and expand the number of partners for foundational courses. The new course providers will be announced, and the new courses will start in the second quarter of this year.
These measures are part of Singapore’s green economy strategy to support industries in their green transition, said Tan.
“We aim to transform our economy, work with the international community to achieve our collective climate targets, and remain relevant in a low-carbon future,” he said, reiterating Singapore’s commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
These green efforts extend to the tourism sector, with Tan announcing plans to make Lazarus Island in the south a “light touch destination” over the next three years, led by Sentosa Development Corporation.
Five eco-tourism accommodation units, dubbed Tiny Away Escape @ Lazarus, will be launched in April on the island. “Visitors can experience its rustic charm while minimising their impact to biodiversity and the environment,” he said.
Singapore operator Big Tiny will use renewable energy, energy-efficient appliances and a biodigester that converts food waste to compost.
Other offerings such as a convenience store, non-motorised water activities and “glamping” will also be launched on the island in the coming months.
Source: The Business Times © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Reproduced with permission.
