The Housing & Development Board (HDB) is setting aside about S$1.5 million to help 3,000 shops island-wide enhance their business vibrancy and competitiveness.
This is the fifth batch of shops to benefit under HDB’s Revitalisation of Shops Scheme and is rolled out in response to the numerous requests from the Merchants’ Associations, following the success of the earlier four ROS batches.
The scheme is part of the government’s on-going measures to help HDB retailers.
Started in November 2007, the scheme has benefitted 4,500 shops, covering about 50 per cent of our town and neighbourhood centres.
Under the scheme, retailers can get co-funding for upgrading of common area, promotional events and rent-free periods for tenants to renovate their shops.
For promotional events, HDB will co-fund up to 50 per cent of the expenditure for promotional events organised by merchant associations to attract consumers.
In a blog post, Minister for National Development Khaw Boon Wan said the HDB has so far spent about S$7 million in co-funding under the Revitalisation of Shops Scheme.
He cited Boon Lay Shopping Centre, which was recently revamped and saw many improvements under the scheme.
These include toilet upgrading, new floor tiles and a spruced-up community corner for residents.
Mr Khaw said the revamp was a success only because of the tireless efforts of the stakeholders – the Boon Lay Merchants’ Association, the shop owners, HDB and West Coast Town Council.
He said local merchant associations must take the lead and work closely with shop owners.
He added that with good planning and execution, the scheme is a big positive for shop owners and their customers.
Source : CNA – 29 Apr 2013
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