• SNCF • Singapore National Co-operative Federation Limited •

Milestones

Before 1950s

1924		Straits Settlements Co-operative Societies Ordinance was passed.
7 October 1925		The first Thrift & Loan Society was formed (Singapore Government Servants’ Co-operative Thrift & Loan Society Ltd).
16 November 1933		Singapore Urban Co-operative Ltd was formed. It served as a coordinating body for a number of primary co-operatives and was later renamed Singapore Co-operative Union Ltd.
1942		The war forced all co-operatives to cease operations.
23 August 1946		The Singapore Co-operative Stores Society Ltd was registered to help ease initial post-war food shortage and escalating prices.
December 1947		Co-operatives in Singapore were informed that they were granted exemption from taxation (Income Tax was introduced in Singapore w.e.f. 1 January 1948).

1960s & 1970

16 September 1963		Singapore achieved independence as part of new state of Malaysia.
9 August 1965		Singapore became a fully independent sovereign nation.
April 1968		Registry of Co-operative Societies became a unit under the then Ministry of Social Affairs, now known as the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports.
November 1969		NTUC (National Trades Union Congress) seminar on “The Modernisation of the Labour Movement” made recommendations that NTUC should embark upon co-operative business ventures.
20 May 1972		Singapore Co-operative Union Ltd changed its name to Singapore National Co-operative Union Ltd.
1979		The Co-operative Societies Act 1979 replaced the Co-operative Societies Ordinance of 1953, taking into consideration the social and economic changes that took place over the five decades.
1979		The Central Co-operative Fund (CCF) was established as Trust Fund under the provisions of the Co-operative Societies Act 1979.

1980s

18 September 1980		The Singapore National Co-operative Federation Ltd (SNCF) was established as the apex organisation for the local Movement.
26 May 1982		Singapore National Co-operative Union assumed its new role as a secondary co-operative, Singapore Amalgamated Services Co-operative Organisation Ltd (SASCO Ltd).
June 1982		SNCF and the Afro-Asian Institute jointly organised its first Co-operative Management Seminar.
1984		SNCF, ASEAN Co-operative Alliance and FES jointly organised a Seminar on “Co-operative Law in ASEAN in Singapore”.
1984		SNCF and International Labour Organization (ILO) jointly organised the “National Workshop on Co-operative Training policy and Standards” in Singapore.
1985		SNCF was accepted as a member in the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA).
1985		The book on “Co-operative Societies in Singapore 1925 – 1985" was first suggested by Mr Chua Sian Chin, Chairman of SNCF Board of Trustees and Minister for Home Affairs in 1985 at the 4th Anniversary of the SNCF.
1988		ICA Regional Council Meeting was held in Singapore.
1988		ACO-SNCF ASEAN Women Co-operative Conference on “Partners in Progress”.
11 March 1989		ILO-SNCF National Forum on Co-operative Development held.

1990s

1993		The Co-operative Strategic Review was initiated.
August 1993		A one-and-a-half day international symposium was held to discuss “The Challenges of Co-operatives in the Next Decade”.
1994		SNCF held its 1st Co-operative Leaders’ Conference to revamp the movement based on findings from the Co-operative Strategic Review.
September 1995		SNCF organised the 1st National Campus Co-operative Seminar.
October 1997		SNCF formed its Women’s Committee.
November 1997		SNCF founded its Community Services Committee.
4 July 1998		SNCF Community Project was officially launched by Dr Lee Boon Yang, the then Minister for Manpower.
July 1999		The ICA Regional Consultation was held at the Grand Plaza ParkRoyal. The Guest-of-Honour was Mr Lim Boon Heng, then NTUC Secretary-General.
10 July 1999		The International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) Business Office was officially opened by Mr Abdullah Tarmugi, the then Minister for Community Development in the presence of Mr Roberto Rodrigues, the then President of ICA.

New Millennium

June 2000		The 1st ICA Asia Pacific Co-operative Forum was graced by the then President of Indonesia, HE Megawati Soekarnoputri. The then Minister for Community Development & Sports, Mr Abdullah Tarmugi inaugurated the Forum and Mr Lim Boon Heng, then NTUC Secretary-General delivered the thematic address.
18 February 2001		The Skills Redevelopment Programme was launched by Mr Heng Chee How, the then Deputy Secretary-General of NTUC to equip co-operative employees with better skills and knowledge to meet the standards at their workplace.
2002		SNCF reviewed its strategic direction. One of the key areas was to promote and enhance Co-operative Governance among co-operatives.
16 August 2003		SNCF held its 1st Road Show to promote awareness of co-operatives to the public. The campus sector also held a bazaar with 9 campus co-operatives operating 11 stalls.
12 May 2004		SNCF held a Charity Golf Tournament as part of fund raising efforts for its adopted charity, Children-At-Risk Empowerment ssociation (CARE). More than S$100,000 was raised through this tournament.
2005		The Singapore Co-operative Movement raised over S$1,000,000 in cash and kind for victims of the 26 December 2004 Tsunami Disaster.
		SNCF won the bid for Singapore to be the host for the ICA General Assembly 2007.
		SNCF Chairman Seah Kian Peng became the first Singaporean to sit in ICA Board.
1 July 2005		SNCF formed a Youth Committee.
11 November 2006		SNCF launched Code of Governance for Co-operatives at the Annual Co-operative Leaders’ Conference.
14-19 October 2007		SNCF hosted ICA General Assembly in Singapore.
January 2008		SNCF launched its inaugural Co-operative Scholarship.
16 September 2008		The Co-operative Societies (Amendment) Act 2008 was passed in Parliament on 16 September and came into operation on 20 October 2008.