Singapore's export-oriented food enterprises are urged to use this period of economic slowdown to develop new products, upgrade processes and built up skills and knowledge.

Speaking at a food expo on Friday, Lee Yi Shyan, Singapore's Minister of State for Trade and Industry made this call, noting that food manufacturers should focus on three key areas - quality and food safety, innovation and branding.

More than 350 food companies in Singapore have obtained Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) certification and the government will continue to support food companies to adopt the certification under the country's food safety program, according to Lee.

The food manufacturing industry is an important sector of Singapore's economy. There are about 700 food manufacturing firms in the city-state employing almost 20,000 people.

The limited size of the domestic market drives Singapore's food enterprises to be export-oriented. Last year, Singapore's food and beverage (F&B) exports grew by 11.5 percent to 3 billion Singapore dollars (about US$2 billion).

(Xinhua News Agency November 15, 2008)