WELCOME ADDRESS BY MR ROGER LEE, PRESIDENT, ITE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, AT THE LAUNCH OF THE SHELL LIVEWIRE AWARDS 2007 ON WEDNESDAY 20 JUNE 2007 AT ITE COLLEGE EAST

Distinguished guests

Ladies & gentlemen

 

1.	A very warm welcome to all of you. I am pleased to join you this evening on the launch of the Shell LiveWIRE Awards 2007.
2.	The Shell LiveWIRE programme was launched in August 2000 by ITE and its partners, namely Shell Companies, SPH Chinese Newspaper Division and ITE Alumni. Managed by the Technopreneurship Incubation Centre the objectives of the programme are to:
	Encourage and give young people access to resources and advise on starting a business as a career; Provide mentoring to young entrepreneurs in the early stages of their business start-up; Assist young entrepreneurs to develop the necessary skills to manage a business; & Reward and raise the profile of outstanding young entrepreneurs through the Shell LiveWIRE Young Business Start-up Awards.
3.	Since its inception, the Shell LiveWIRE Young Business Start-up Awards have honoured 23 budding entrepreneurs with either top or merit awards from various field including education services, construction business, recruitment services and fashion design.
4.	After 4 successful runs of the Young Business Startup Awards, Shell LiveWIRE Awards takes on the baton for this year’s competition. The Awards are given out to innovative Singaporeans aged 35 and below who have started their own business and transformed them into successful enterprise.
5.	It is important in today’s economic development that we nurture and promote entrepreneurial talent to ensure us of economic growth. Hence, we encourage young people age 35 and below with businesses established between 3 – 36 months to participate in this year’s Awards. The participants will stand to win recognition and business exposure through a vast network of business associates. The sharing of expertise by the judges on the panel will also help to improve and accelerate growth of company.
6.	Short-listed participants to the Awards will attend training workshops and seminars on Marketing Strategies, Financial Management, and Presentation Skills to supplement their business plans. These sessions are conducted by trainers who are experts in the field.
7.	Application forms and more information of the Awards can be obtained on the ITE’s website at ite.edu.sg or you can address any queries to the TIC offices.
8.	In closing, may I take this opportunity to wish all of you an enjoyable and fulfilled evening. Thank you.