Number of Merchants onboarded CDC Vouchers Scheme

65. Mr Low Wu Yang Andre: To ask the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth for each year since 2021 (a) how many applications by merchants for inclusion in the CDC Voucher Scheme were rejected because they are located in non-HDB premises; (b) how many of these cases are successfully appealed; and (c) whether the Ministry tracks the number of businesses in non-HDB premises providing essential community services that are ineligible for the Scheme.

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 aims to help Singaporeans households cope with the cost of living and support hawkers and heartland merchants.

2. 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.

3. To date, we have onboarded over 23,000 hawkers and heartland merchants on the CDC Voucher scheme, including those who successfully appealed. 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.