DISPLAY OF SINGAPORE-MADE GOODS IN STORES AND SHOPS

Mr Bernard Rodrigues asked the Minister for Finance if he will consider introducing legislation to provide that all departmental stores and retail shops display Singapore-made goods.

Dr Goh Keng Swee: The spirit in which the hon. Member has asked the question is good. However, I do not think this is a very good idea. First, there are countless shops and departmental stores in Singapore. Implementation of this proposal would, therefore, cost a lot of money. The large variety of locally-manufactured goods, together with the large numbers and sizes of shops selling them, would make it almost impossible to have orderly legislation and effective implementation. We cannot, for instance, legislate that all shops display all types of locally-made goods. The variety is too large. There may be inadequate space in some shops. On the other hand, if it is provided that not all the locally-made goods need be displayed, a shop could display only one product and claim to have complied with the law. This would defeat the purpose of such legislation. To specify a minimum variety would also be difficult, as shops vary so much in size. What is adequate for one shop is probably not adequate for another. These are only a few of the problems that we will encounter.

The second point is that compulsory display of locally-made goods will not necessarily increase sales. The Singapore consumer is a discriminating buyer and purchases on the basis of price and quality. As competition is extremely keen, departmental stores and retail shops cannot afford to be without lines which sell. In other words, the availability of consumer goods is not a pro blem. The manufacturer will have to compete on the basis of price and quality rather than depend on compulsory display to push sales. I have no doubt that this is what they are doing.

The Singapore Manufacturers' Association has now taken over from the Economic Development Board the Products and Design Centre at Raffles Place. I understand that they intend to make the Centre even bigger and better.

Finally, let us not forget that freedom of choice is important in our free society. Freedom in merchandising is not only a good thing but serves as a practical stimulant to competition. So while I think the hon. Member has got the right sentiments in putting forward this question, I suggest that there are other ways of achieving the objective he has in mind.