SEVEN dating agencies and nine dating practitioners became the first matchmaking businesses to receive the government's stamp of approval yesterday.

The accreditation is part of the ministry's vision to 'nurture a vibrant dating scene that provides singles with options that are accessible, varied and of high standards,' said Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, Minister of State of MCYS at the ceremony.

The accreditation framework comprises a Code of Professional Conduct, as well as Accreditation Criteria and Standards for dating agencies and practitioners.

The Singapore Development Unit (SDU) Trust Mark will help singles differenciate genuine players from fly-by-night agencies, said Associate Professor Paulin Straughan, who chairs the accreditation council.

SDU estimates that there are about 20 to 30 bona fide dating agencies catering to the local market.

The agencies accredited yesterday included familiar names like Lunch Actually, GoMovieDate, and Singles Mingle, which organise social events for singles and set up dates.

Launched by the Ministry for Community Development Youth and Sports (MCYS) in Jul last year, the accreditation system will set bench marks for agencies here.

To get accredited, agency owners have to undergo training, comply with a code of conduct and meet accreditation criteria and standards.

Applicants had to attend compulsory training co-developed by the government

Accreditation lasts for two years, during which time checks will be conducted periodically by SDU.

Dating agencies may charge membership fees ranging from $50 to over $2,000 per year, or charge by the number of matches made. On average, singles should expect to spend around $100 to get a date.

At the award presentation yesterday, Mrs Shoon, said that the unit formed by merging the SDU and the Social Development Unit would continue to support the private sector, and help organise large scale events for singles.

More details on the merger will be announced by the end of the year.

Founder of GoMovieDate Matthew Tan said he saw opportunities to work with the merged unit.

'Already, we are in talks about running activities for them,' he said.

The government has adopted new initiatives to develop and professionalise the local dating industry since 2006. It set up the Partner Connection Fund and launched the accreditation framework for private dating agencies in 2007.

Singapore has one of the lowest total fertility rates in the world at 1.29, behind the 2.1 needed to replace the population. To encourage more Singaporeans to marry and have babies, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in August announced a package of $700 million (US$496 million) a year to boost the city-state's birth rate. --SPH, Xinhua