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Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong has spearheaded the fourth tranche of CDC Vouchers, expanding to S$500 per household, signifying Singapore’s evolving support for households, transitioning from S$100 in 2021 and now embracing digital solutions for streamlined distribution and widespread accessibility.
Introduced initially in December 2021 to aid pandemic-affected heartland merchants and hawkers, the scheme has now expanded to encompass supermarkets, boasting participation from over 23,000 merchants and eight supermarket chains. This transition reflects the nation’s strategic integration of digital solutions, offering convenience and efficiency to recipients and merchants alike.
The move to digital vouchers aimed to enhance accessibility and convenience, leveraging technology for streamlined processes, enabling Singaporeans to conveniently claim and redeem benefits online, fostering a user-friendly experience.
The programme’s expansion aligns with a digital economy-focused strategy, fostering inclusivity, expediting financial aid distribution, and propelling a cashless ecosystem across diverse outlets, symbolising the government’s commitment to harnessing digital strategies amidst economic challenges.
As part of the Assurance Package, the CDC Vouchers aim to alleviate the impact of additional Goods & Services Tax (GST) for Singaporean households, emphasising sustained assistance during challenging economic times until December 31, 2024.
This proactive embrace of digitalisation underscores Singapore’s commitment to addressing economic challenges, expecting digital strategies to fortify resilience, promote financial inclusivity, and drive sustained economic growth, positioning the nation at the forefront of digital innovation in assistance programmes.
In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, envisioning a Smart Nation with limitless possibilities becomes pivotal as technology advances. Singapore’s vision for a digital-first society revolves around a Digital Government, Digital Economy, and Digital Society converging to leverage technology’s transformative power across healthcare, transportation, urban development, government services, and commerce.
The Digital Government invests in infrastructure and open platforms, enabling continuous learning for businesses and citizens. In the Digital Economy, businesses are urged to invest in tech and talent for global growth. The Digital Society empowers individuals to embrace tech, unlocking potential and improving well-being. The Smart Nation initiative strives for seamless tech integration, transforming work, lifestyles, and leisure.
As Singapore progresses in its Smart Nation initiatives, it encourages active citizen participation in shaping the upcoming Budget 2024, fostering collaborative governance for a future aligned with citizens’ needs and aspirations.
The Ministry of Finance (MOF) in Singapore has opened channels for citizens, organisations, and businesses to contribute their perspectives for Budget 2024, scheduled for presentation in February 2024.
Until January 26, 2024, stakeholders can share their suggestions, focusing on themes like fostering a competitive and sustainable economy with ample employment opportunities, strengthening social cohesion, and fortifying national security and resilience.
REACH will establish a physical Listening Point, while the People’s Association (PA) and grassroots organisations will engage Singaporeans through digital platforms like Ask Kopi Kakis #shareyourviews, as well as physical interactions in local communities, to gather their insights and recommendations for Budget 2024.
To ensure all citizen can contribute to an increasingly digital world, MySkillsFuture offers a programme targeting digital literacy, emphasising smartphone and tablet skills due to their ubiquity. Aligned with the TSC of Innovation Management, it boosts individuals’ confidence in leveraging digital tools for problem-solving, productivity, and career growth.
Covering AI, IoT, Blockchain, and Cloud Computing, the curriculum illustrates their real-world impact and stresses mobile tech’s transformative role across various sectors, including finance, lifestyle, health, and work.
A Smart Nation in Singapore represents an empowered community living enriched lives through seamless technology integration, offering diverse opportunities. It fosters enhanced productivity for businesses within the digital economy and promotes international collaboration for delivering cross-border digital solutions, as envisioned since its launch to create unprecedented possibilities beyond imagination.s
