The Minister for Trade and Industry, Lim Hng Kiang has emphasized on increasing output from retail and food production sector, while other sectors of the economy were applying cost effective measures.

The minister shared his views about growth in the sector at the Retail & Food Services Productivity Conference. The government is focused on training food sector with development in the procedure, increasing employment in the sector and creating an environment which is always focused on improving output.

Mr. Lim stated that the government was providing financial assistance of $6.7 million for around 80 new efficiency overhauling plans. The plan of improving 80 small and medium enterprises (SME) takes place after provision of support from Singapore's Standards, Productivity and Innovation Board (SPRING).

Also, 2500 SMEs have asked Enterprise Development Centres (EDCs) for assistance as per Productivity Management Programme. Another plan backed by SPRING is Metro's new mobile point of sale (mPOS).

As per Mr. Pang Say Kong, General Manager for Metro Private Limited, "With mobile payment, our sales associates and promoters can serve the customers speedily by checking out their purchases anywhere on the selling floor, saving the customers from the queue at the cashier counters, especially during sales promotions".