SiTF Golf Classic 2008

Welcoming GOH – Dr Vivian Balakrishnan

The annual SiTF golf classic flagship event was held on 24 April 08 at Raffles Country Club. This is the event that golfers from within the ICT industry congregate to have an afternoon of golf and fun. Gracing the event on that day was none other than Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports. He was warmly received by Mr Pek Yew Chai, Chairman SiTF, and Ms Ho Semun, Executive Director SiTF.

Hainanese chicken rice for lunch

After a smooth registration process, golfers were treated to a Hainanese chicken rice buffet for lunch. The carbohydrates consumed would no doubt be useful on the golf course later in the day. Amidst the lunch session, golfers chatted casually as they catch up with their old friends. Soon, it was time for the tee-off!

Teeing off with Dr Vivan Balakrishnan

Mr Pek Yew Chai swings his club

GOH Flight

The GOH flight consisted of Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Mr Pek Yew Chai, Mr Loh Teck Heng (SiTF Golf Classic 2008 Chairman) and Mr Chris Khang (Cisco is the tee-to-green sponsor). They started off on the Palm Course Hole 1 at approximately 1.30pm. The good weather ensured that the golfers have as much fun as possible. Even a slight rain late in the afternoon could not dampen the spirits of the golfers.

Girl Power

Golf is not just a guy’s game. The female counterparts in the industry were having just as much fun as the GOH. It was a long afternoon before all the golfers finally completed their game. They then proceeded to wash up and prepare for dinner.

Thank you sponsors!

During dinner time, lots of prizes were given out during lucky draws. The participants also enjoyed a sumptuous dinner while watching entertainment provided by special guest performers such as the Baobei sisters who voiced over for the local movie, 881. Trophies were also given out to the winners of the golf game. In appreciation to our fantastic sponsors, a token is given to each representative from our sponsor companies. Without them, the golf event would not have been such a success.

Watch this space as we bring you more pictures from the SiTF Golf Classic 2008.

For more photos, visit our photo gallery.

Networking session with Shandong delegates – 18 Apr 08

Warm welcome at the door

On 18 April 2008, a team led by Mr Pek Yew Chai, Chairman SiTF, played host to a delegation visit from Shandong. The province of Shandong, located in the eastern coastal region of China, is one of the most developed provinces in the country. The delegation team, comprising of Mr Liu Xiaojiang, Vice Director General, Department of Foreign Trade & Economic Cooperation of Shandong Province, and Mr Ma Weigang, Vice Director General, Qingdao Economic & Technological Development Zone, visited SiTF in hope of finding collaboration opportunities to further the development of information industry in Shandong province.

The row of Shandong delegates

The session started off with an introduction given by all present at the networking session. One by one, both the local and Shandong delegates introduce their name and brief job description. Some presentation on SiTF and Infocomm Singapore were given during the session. The Shandong delegation focused on the rapid development of information industry in Shandong province. Hopefully, when SiTF members visit them, they will be able to play host and give a much more detailed scenario about the Shandong IT industry.

The whole delegation team

SiTF continues to host delegations such as these wonderful people from Shandong. Meanwhile, the session would no doubt benefit both the Shandong and SiTF delegates as both sides look for collaboration opportunities.

For more photos, visit our photo gallery

Singapore branding helps tech firms in China

Partnershops and coverage are among the key challenges named by five Singapore technology firms which have been making forays into China's fast-rising infocomm market.

However, executives from CrimsonLogic, Bizpoint System, LanTroVision, Origami Frontiers and Asiasoft said that the proliferation of the Singapore branding in China - aided by agencies like the Singapore infocomm Technology Federation (SiTF) - will help.

The executives interviewed by BizIT were in Shanghai this week with a delegation from the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) and SiTF. The delegation was there to pen collaboration deals in Hangzhou and launch SiTF's renamed Shanghai business networking office, now called the Infocomm Singapore Centre (ISC).

For full press release, click here

MediaCorp launches first "intelligent" digital reading platform in Singapore

In collaboration with E-Book Systems Inc and Microsoft, Mediacorp has launched the first "intelligent" digital reading platform in Singapore. The software viewer, named Mediacorp EasyReader, integrates the best of physical newspapers and web browsing into an intuitive browser-like interface. Not only will users be able to add their own notes and highlight content, they can also re-size the test and images to suit their preference. Readers will also be able to store content up to 30 days of archived news, giving them the flexibility to read news offline as well.

For press release, click here
Know more about NewsReader, click here

SiTF inks deal with HESP to facilitate technology and business exchange

Singapore companies now have more help in cutting high-tech business deals in the "Heaven Silicon Valley" of China.

Yesterday, Singapore infocomm Technology Federation (SiTF) inked an agreement with the Hangzhou East Software Park (HESP) to facilitate the exchange of technology and business between companies from Singapore and Zhejiang province.

In a news conference in Zhejiang's capital city Hangzhou, SiTF representative Tay Eng Hoe said trade missions, business partner matching services, and local marketing events will be among activities that HESP and SiTF will carry out in the coming months.

"There are so many opportunities for Singapore companies in Zhejiang," said Mr Tay, who is also the group CEO of ECS Holdings. He said SiTF will help both Singapore and China companies collaborate in each other's markets.

The SiTF-HESP agreement is supported by Infocomm Development Authority (IDA), which brought a delegation to Hangzhou and Shanghai this week for the signing event, as well as to meet local companies and officials there. At the event, IDA chief executive Ronnie Tay said that the agreement would "greatly" benefit infocomm industries in Singapore and China.

HESP chairman Song Xiaochun said that Hangzhou companies could learn from Singapore's infocomm expertise. "As companies in China move towards globalisation, Singapore will be our example.".

Dubbed "Heaven Silicon Valley" because of Hangzhou's natural beauty, the 180,000 sq m HESP is home to technology companies such as Alibaba and Huawei.

Zhejiang, which has a population of about 50 million per capita GDP of US$5,000, is China's fourth-largest provincial economy.

SiTF has had a presence in Hangzhou since 2006 when it established a business exchange office called Hangzhou-Singapore Solutions Centre with HESP. The new agreement builds on the centre's exisiting programmes.

Two other agreements were signed yesterday in Hangzhou. One was by ESP Aspire - a Singapore company headed by ex-SiTF chairman Stephen Lim - with the Hangzhou Dianchi University, to foster exchange of the university's students with infocomm companies in Singapore. The other was between Singapore's NCS and HESP. Both agreed to collaborate in the areas of e-government, smart building, Internet security and Hangzhou's metro train system. The IDA-led 20-strong team will be in China till tomorrow.

Source: The Business Times - 15 April 2008

SEC Chill-Out Evening - 9 Apr 08

The early birds

The well-received chill-out evening is back! This time, the event's theme was “Venturing into Thailand”. The event was organised by the SEC chapter and supported by the SGC Chapter. Held at the wine arcade, the event promised great ambience and an informal environment for experience sharing. Over 30 participants turned up to learn more about business in Thailand. The event was also graced by a special guest, Ms Lena Ng, Assistant Director, from IES.

Ms Lena Ng, Assistant Director, IES

Based in Thailand for a period of over 3 years, Ms Lena Ng was the perfect person to share with the attendees on the topic concern. She also gave some insights on the vertical markets that are still booming in Thailand. No doubt, this is a valuable piece of information for businessmen who may not know about such facts.

Mr Eddie Chau, SEC Chairman

Besides Ms Lena Ng, Mr Eddie Chau, SEC Chairman, also shared his experience on setting up businesses in Thailand. With his previous company, e-Cop Pte Ltd, he has been there, done that. Hence, he was able to give tips and ways to penetrate the Thailand market.

Q & A by the attendees

The attendees were also allowed to ask some questions to the speakers that they may be interested to know. All in all, the session was an informal yet interactive experience sharing session.

What is networking without exchanging name cards?

As a networking event, most of the attendees prepared a whole stack of name cards for exchange. By making new friends and extending their social circle, attendees kept their options open, exploring business opportunities in new untapped markets. Watch this space as SiTF continues to organize such chill-out sessions with different themes and target market.

For more pictures, visit http://picasaweb.google.com/sitf.sg/SECChillOutEveningApr