Increasing Merchant Participation in CDC Vouchers Scheme

287. Dr Charlene Chen:  To ask the Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth whether the Ministry will consider allowing greater flexibility in the use of CDC vouchers, particularly for residents in estates where chain supermarkets are limited, so that more local merchants and smaller shops can be included as redemption partners.

Response:

1. Mr Edwin Tong Chun Fai: Mr Speaker, I am answering in my capacity as the Minister charged with the responsibility for the People’s Association. The CDC Vouchers Scheme was first introduced in June 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic with two key objectives – (i) to help Singaporean households cope with the cost of living; and (ii) to support hawkers and heartland merchants.

2. In line with the policy intent, our aim is to onboard hawkers and merchants in HDB heartlands, such as those in the NEA-managed centres and HDB heartlands, including shops which offer daily goods or services.

3. However, there are instances where few or no heartland merchants are found within or near residential areas. In such locations, we have onboarded, on a case-by-case basis, small businesses that provide goods and services needed by residents.

4. In 2023, we responded to residents’ requests to further alleviate their expenses by widening the usage of CDC Vouchers to supermarkets. However, only half of the vouchers received could be used at supermarkets, and the remaining half were for use at heartland merchants.  This balanced approach meets both the needs of residents, as well as supports our heartland businesses. 

5. To date, we have onboarded over 23,000 hawkers and heartland merchants on the CDC Voucher scheme. The CDCs will continue to work closely with key partners, including the Federation of Merchants' Association, Singapore (FMAS), Heartland Enterprise Centre Singapore (HECS), and various merchant and hawker associations, to onboard eligible merchants in the heartlands.