Speech by President Halimah Yacob at the American Chamber of Commerce CARES Awards

Mr Dwight Hutchins, Chairman, American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) 

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

I am pleased to join the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) at your 46^th Annual General Meeting this afternoon.

Singapore and the US share a close partnership that spans many sectors, ranging from defence co-operation to economic collaborations. Indeed, after Singapore became independent in 1965, many early investors were from the US, some of whom became the founding members of AmCham in 1973.  I am glad that over the years, AmCham member companies continue to make significant and enduring contributions to Singapore. Besides bringing technology and investment dollars to Singapore, AmCham member companies have inculcated a strong culture of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and are doing their part to create long-term social value for Singapore.

I am happy to know that AmCham has been working with Community Chest, the fundraising and engagement arm of the National Council of Social Service, on promoting volunteerism in AmCham members to contribute more to local charities and beneficiaries.

For the past three years, AmCham has been giving back to the society during its annual Corporate Community Day. Through initiatives like the ‘Walk for Rice’, AmCham has been supporting the less fortunate families living in Southeast CDC. In 2018, over 500 participants took part in the walk, raising over 22,000 bowls of rice for families in need.

Community Chest also helps to plug corporates into our SG Cares Community Networks and Volunteer Centres as part of the ecosystem approach in this giving journey. Above it all, Community Chest helps to navigate the resources to the critical needs and gaps in our society and align corporates’ sustainability efforts to the SG Cares national movement.

Launched in 2018, SG Cares seeks to drive the spirit of volunteerism across the nation, for more caring and inclusive home for all. The movement invites all who live in Singapore to put values into action through active volunteerism, ground-up efforts and everyday acts of care. By inspiring and supporting one another, we can show the world that we are a nation with a big heart.

In the same spirit, AmCham CARES aims to recognise these efforts of care amongst their members, and encourage even more impactful contributions towards the community. The AmCham CARES awards give recognition to AmCham member companies for their CSR efforts. There are many positive stories among the awardees here today. Let me share two examples:

- P&G has a Beyond Borders Programme that provides its employees a wide variety of volunteering opportunities to suit their passion areas and preferred level of involvement. Almost 1,500 employees have spent over 10,000 hours on skills-based volunteering at Social Service Organisations.

- Despite being an SME with relatively fewer resources, Transcarta regularly supports green groups in 30 schools all over Singapore, and provides ad-hoc support to Food from the Heart, a programme to alleviate hunger among less-fortunate families through food distribution.

It does not require a lot of effort to make someone’s day. Small acts of kindness can make a big difference. I hope that AmCham members can continue to find ways to support this programme and be an inspiration to the wider business community. Together, we can build a more caring and inclusive society, and a nation that truly cares.

Thank you.