More than 270 merchants - including fashion retailers, telco shops and cinemas - operating some 6,000 outlets here will accept the $100 worth of vouchers that all servicemen will receive as part of efforts to mark 50 years of national service (NS).
The vouchers are part of the NS50 recognition packages for former and current servicemen, which also include free one-year membership for either Safra or HomeTeamNS clubhouses and a commemorative NS50 PAssion Card with five years' membership.
Of the participating merchants, 56 are taking part for the first time in the commemorative NS voucher scheme, the Defence Ministry said yesterday. These include Jetstar Asia, BreadTalk and Krispy Kreme.
"As a Singapore-based carrier, Jetstar Asia flies the Singapore flag on our aircraft, and this is our way of acknowledging the contributions made by our national servicemen," said Jetstar Asia commercial head Francis Loi.
The budget carrier will accept NS50 vouchers in exchange for its own, which can be spent on airfare, luggage or refreshments.
On participating, a BreadTalk spokesman said: "As a home- grown brand, BreadTalk appreciates our NSmen's service to the country and would like to show our gratitude and support for them through the NS50 vouchers."
A spokesman for supermarket chain FairPrice, which took part in the NS45 campaign and is returning this year, said: "We hope that more employers and the community will continue to show their support for NSmen."
Retail giant CapitaLand said that more than $3 million worth of NS45 vouchers were exchanged for its own. It will accept NS50 vouchers at 17 malls and its StorHub self-storage facilities.
NS50 packages for full-time and operationally ready national servicemen who are Safra or HomeTeamNS members are being posted from this month.
Non-members will receive instructions on registering for their packages from late July to August.
They will receive the package within two months. Registration is open until June 30 next year, and vouchers are valid until the end of next year. Visit www.ns50.sg for more details.
