to promote, assist and develop trade and the provision of technical and consultancy services to persons overseas;
(b)
to organise and participate in any trade exhibition, trade fair and trade mission;
(c)
to represent Singapore internationally in respect of matters relating to trade;
(d)
to promote, facilitate and assist in the development and improvement of shipping and warehousing facilities and other related services;
(e)
to advise the Government on matters affecting or in any way connected with the development of trade and to act as agent for the Government or for any person, body or organisation on such matters;
(f)
to promote, facilitate and regulate forward and futures trading in rubber and such other commodities as the Board may think fit; and
(g)
to exercise the functions, powers and duties conferred upon the Board under any written law.
[16/92]
Powers of Board
6.—(1) The Board shall have power to do anything for the purpose of discharging its functions under this Act, or which is incidental or conducive to the discharge of those functions.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the Board may —
(a)
establish and maintain offices both in Singapore and overseas;
(b)
promote or undertake research for the improvement and development of trade and services;
(c)
engage in any commercial activity, including forming or participating in the formation of a company and entering into joint ventures or partnerships for the purposes of promoting and developing trade and services;
(d)
utilise all the property of the Board, movable and immovable, in such manner as the Board may think expedient including the raising of loans by mortgaging such property;
(e)
acquire or dispose of any property, movable or immovable, which the Board thinks necessary or expedient for the purpose of carrying out its functions under this Act;
(f)
publish or sponsor the publication of periodicals, booklets and other written materials;
(g)
produce or sponsor the production of documentary films and other audio-visual materials;
(h)
charge for the use of any facility or service provided by the Board;
(i)
appoint agents in any country to carry out its functions under this Act;
(j)
organise courses and award certificates of proficiency;
(k)
provide advisory and information services;
(l)
promote or undertake publicity in any form;
(m)
provide facilities for the training of persons in any way connected with the promotion or development of trade;
(n)
receive donations and contributions from any source and raise funds by all lawful means;
(o)
grant loans to employees of the Board for any purpose specifically approved by the Board;
(p)
provide recreational facilities and promote recreational activities for, and activities conducive to, the welfare of employees of the Board; and
(q)
do anything incidental to any of its powers.
Directions by Minister
7.—(1) The Minister may, after consultation with the Board, give such directions, not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, to the Board as he thinks fit as to the exercise by the Board of its functions and powers.
(2) Without prejudice to subsection (1), if it appears to the Minister to be requisite or expedient to do so —
(a)
in the interests of relations with the government of another country; or
(b)
in order —
(i)
to discharge or facilitate the discharge of an obligation binding on the Government by virtue of it being a member of an international organisation or a party to an international agreement;
(ii)
to attain or facilitate the attainment of any other object the attainment of which is in the Minister’s opinion requisite or expedient in view of the Government being a member of such an organisation or a party to such an agreement; or
(iii)
to enable the Government to become a member of such an organisation or a party to such an agreement,
he may, after consultation with the Board, give such directions to the Board as are necessary in the circumstances of the case.
(3) The Board shall give effect to any direction given to it under subsection (1) or (2).
(4) The Board shall not disclose any direction given to it under subsection (1) or (2) if the Minister notifies the Board that he is of the opinion that disclosure of the direction is against the public interest.