Support for Food Catering Businesses

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Trade and Industry how does the Ministry intend to support food caterers with their slower recovery compared to other F&B businesses.

The Minister of State for Trade and Industry (Ms Low Yen Ling) (for the Minister for Trade and Industry): Mr Deputy Speaker, we fully recognise that this is a challenging period for F&B businesses, including the catering sub-sector. That is why under the support package for Phase Two (Heightened Alert), all F&B businesses, including caterers, will receive 60% wage support under the Jobs Support Scheme.

However, even as we gradually reopen the economy in a safe manner, caterers may not be able to revert entirely to their pre-pandemic modes of operation as consumer preferences change. This is why we have been encouraging and supporting food caterers to embark on transformation efforts and develop new business models or diversify into new businesses.

One caterer that has ventured into new business concepts is Kitchen Haus Group. With funding support from Enterprise Singapore's Enterprise Development Grant (EDG), the company launched their cloud kitchen concept and virtual brand "Gourmet Xpress", which offers ready-to-eat products. This has opened up new growth opportunities and customer groups for the company.

The EDG and other Government schemes work together to help our companies diversify their businesses, deepen their capabilities and develop talent. We encourage food caterers to tap on this range of schemes to seek out new opportunities in an evolving environment and strengthen their resilience for the future.

Mr Deputy Speaker: No supplementary questions? Next question, Ms Tin Pei Ling.