Chinatown businesses in Singapore will get a boost in visitor traffic with new precinct-level digital initiatives and SME Centre. The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted tourism businesses and precincts. Visitors have also dropped significantly in 2020 compared to previous years.
Chinatown Digitalisation Committee
The Chinatown Digitalisation Committee (CDC) was set up in July 2020 to help businesses find new ways to increase revenue. This committee is led by Infocomm Media Development Authority, Enterprise Singapore and Singapore Tourism Board. Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Chinatown Business Association also supports this. The CDC helps businesses adopt an online-to-offline strategy, build digital presence and use technology to optimise physical stores.
Digital Initiatives by Chope & Qoo10
Chope and Qoo10 will develop digital initiatives for the Chinatown precinct. They will educate businesses on the benefits of e-commerce and collaborate to win new customers online and offline. This will be done through digital marketing, outreach, on boarding and training.
Chope will feature businesses on ChopeDeals with a collection of the best F&B dining deals in this precinct. These could be in the form of cash vouchers, 1-for-1 promotions, buffet and set meal bundles. For the hospitality businesses, Chope will extend their Dine & Stay bundled staycation deals for Chinatown hotel businesses.
Qoo10 will raise awareness of the precinct’s offerings and generate business opportunities for retail businesses. It will incentivise victors to collect location-based vouchers on the Qoo10 platform. Visitors can redeem these vouchers at selected Qoo10 stores in this precinct
New SME Centre@Chinatown
Enterprise Singapore has collaborated with Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The SME Centre@Chinatown at #12-06 Chinatown Point will assist businesses go digital & provide dedicated business advice in areas of productivity, innovation and internationalisation. This is Singapore’s 12th SME Centre and the third set up by SCCCI and ESG. The other two are located in Jurong Town Hall and Toa Payoh Central. This new SME Centre was officially opened by Senior Minister of State Sim Ann and Minister of State Low Yen Ling.
Interested Chinatown businesses can approach the SME Centre@Chinatown to connect with Chope and Qoo10 or get advise on the digitalisation options and business-related schemes and support. Set up at appointment here.