Singapore Business Federation chairman steps down

Tony Chew, who has been the Chairman of the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) for six years, has announced he is stepping down from the position.

The announcement was made at the Annual General Meeting last week, where eight new candidates were also appointed to the council, and Teo Siong Seng was elected to becoming the SBF Chairman for a two year term.

"As I wrap up my six-year term as SBF Chairman, I am leaving the Federation on a high note and in good hands," Chew said in a press statement. 

"SBF is still a young organisation. The foundations have been laid for the continuous service to Singapore's business sector, and its 21,000 members. Our services - both at home and abroad - have a strong foundation.

"SBF must continuously grow and re-invent itself, looking far ahead into the future. Singapore must remain a few steps ahead of rising economic and market challenges. SBF will play a critical role in this process."

Chew - who is also executive chairman at the Asia Resource Corporation and an independent director at Keppel Corporation, among other board appointments in Asia - also recounted in his farewell speech how SBF has worked collectively to build the capacity of its members and improve the business operations environment within Singapore. 

He made particular note of the International Relations Committee set up in 2002 to help members network and venture overseas, as well as the federations involvement in initiating important dialogues between leaders of the business community and the government during the Global Financial Crisis.

He also made special mention of the SBF-led SME Committee, which has provided Singapore's smaller businesses with a bigger voice and more direct line to the government.