Hong Leong Finance (HLF) has joined the Singapore government to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) transform digitally to stay in business amid tech disruption under the SMEs Go Digital Scheme by Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).

The tie-ups include Internet connectivity packages bundled with government-approved digital technology tools such as cyber security and data analytics services, as well as industry-specific workshops and bridging loans.

HLF President Mr Ang Tang Chor is excited by the opportunity to help SMEs embark on their digitalisation journey. “Faced with rising operating costs, increasing competition from the digital economy and changing consumer behaviour, many SMEs are keen to use digital capabilities to improve their efficiency and competitiveness.  But they do not know how,” he said.

“With the partnership with IMDA, we can be that connector between these SMEs and digital advisers to help them find suitable solutions and financing,” he added.

HLF aims to influence customers who are industry leaders to seek and pilot emerging technology solutions to help uplift productivity and competitiveness for their sectors. HLF will be reaching out to hundreds of SMEs to introduce the SMEs Go Digital Programme through its different platforms including events and collaborative clinics with SME Digital Tech Hub Specialists. 

Hong Leong Finance’s SME Relationship Managers will all be trained by IMDA to enable them to introduce the SMEs Go Digital Programme to the SMEs.  Under its enhanced SME Capability Ready (CARE) Programme, besides introducing government capabilities grants to SMEs to help them defray costs in their capabilities building investments and offer bridging loans for them to wait out for grants, SMEs keen to go digital will be guided by the Relationship Managers to make the right contact.