Efforts by the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) to create a conducive infocomm environment for businesses are bearing fruit, with the agency emerging third in Singapore's latest Pro-Enterprise Ranking. The ranking, which captures the pro-enterprise orientation of regulatory agencies in Singapore, is based on a survey commissioned by the Action Community for Entrepreneurship (ACE, www.ace.org.sg ). In all, 26 government agencies were assessed by surveying the perceptions and expectations of businesses that had interacted with them on the regulatory front.

"We are heartened by the results of the Pro-Enterprise (PER) Ranking this year. IDA endeavours to create a conducive infocomm environment for businesses with a view to encouraging competition and innovation in Singapore," said IDA's Chief Executive Officer RADM(NS) Ronnie Tay. "Our approach is to consult the industry and public and make timely policy decisions in order to respond to market developments and consumer needs. A conducive infocomm environment is essential to realising our vision of Singapore as an Intelligent Nation, a Global City powered by infocomm."

RADM(NS) Tay: Our approach is to consult the industry and public and make timely policy decisions.

ACE is a national effort to foster creativity and entrepreneurship in Singapore. The movement involves both the private and public sectors and is currently led by Mr Lee Yi Shyan, Minister in-charge of Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Trade and Industry.

This year's Pro-Enterprise Ranking was topped by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, followed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and IDA.

The survey, which is now into its fifth year, involved more than 2,000 face-to-face interviews with businesses which had interacted at least once with the agency in the past 12 months. The Pro-Enterprise Index was then computed based on the aggregated scores of an agency's performance in each of five components: Compliance Cost, Review of Rules, Transparency, Customer Responsiveness, and Pro-enterprise Orientation.

Based on feedback from businesses, the average Pro-Enterprise Index for the 26 agencies surveyed in 2008 was 74.6, up from 73.3 in 2007 (and 68.6 in 2006). Moreover, 20 agencies achieved an index score of above 70, compared to 17 in 2007.

Qualitative feedback from face-to-face interviews with business leaders also showed that regulations were seen as being well thought out before implementation, and having kept pace with changes in the industries. Businesses also appreciated Singapore's transparent regulatory regime. Agencies were also found to deliver good quality e-services and informative web sites.

Responding to the agencies' best showing to date, Mr Patrick Daniel, who leads the Rules Action Crucible (Rules AC) – one of the four Action Crucibles of ACE - said: "We are happy that this annual survey has given accurate feedback to government agencies on where and how they can be more pro-enterprise in their regulatory role." Mr Daniel, who is Editor-in-Chief for English and Malay newspapers at Singapore Press Holdings, added: "We are happier still that agencies have acted on this feedback and continue to make significant improvements."

The Rules AC's objective is to encourage regulatory agencies to establish a pro-enterprise environment in Singapore. Since 2004, the Rules AC has commissioned the annual survey to assess the pro-enterprise orientation of government agencies. The survey was conducted by Frost and Sullivan.

Looking ahead, Mr Lee said: "This year's survey results reflect the continual improvement government agencies made in terms of being pro-business and raised standard of service. This strong partnership between the public and private sector makes Singapore unique. It is a tremendous source of competitiveness for our businesses."