"Since the formation of the Middle East Business Group in March 2007, the MEBG has made good progress in forging and strengthening business links with the region. As the apex chamber of Singapore, SBF is the first chamber to launch high-level business missions to the Middle East and hosted networking and business opportunity sessions for visiting trade delegations from the region.

Despite the global economy downturn, I believe that the MENA region will continue to experience growth, driven by expansion in non-oil sectors, albeit at slightly lower pace and at higher inflation rates. Together with the signing of the GCC-Singapore free trade agreement, this region is certain to be one that can offer business growth opportunities to companies who act and get themselves connected to the region. Therefore, the MENA region would remain as one of the few bright spots for our business community. The MEBG will then be an important platform where members can come together to network, connect with each other and exchange their experience of doing business in the MENA region.

With the launch of MEBG’s knowledge partnership program and the appointment of our Vice Chairmen in October 2008, the next phrase of MEBG is to strengthen the Singapore businesses community’s capabilities to engage business opportunities in the MENA region and to transform MEBG from a Business-to-Business network platform to that of Business-for-Business self help business enabling platform. The targeted outcome is to help member companies gain the essential business resources to take on new business leads and have the market knowledge to close more deals.

Last but not least, members of the Singapore business community can be assured of SBF’s commitment to constantly strive to serve you better. However, it is only with your active participation that the MEBG can become a more vibrant and effective platform.

Therefore, for those who have not signed up for the MEBG membership, I would like to take this opportunity to invite all of you to get plugged into this MENA focused business community, and gain immediate connection to business opportunities in the MENA region.”