SINGAPORE - The three productivity centres serving the construction, retail and food services, and manufacturing industries have helped about 800 companies so far, said Minister of State for Trade and Industry Teo Ser Luck on Monday.

He was responding to a question in Parliament from Nominated MP Thomas Chua, who asked how the three productivity centres have performed, in view of the 0.8 per cent decline in Singapore's labour productivity last year.

Mr Teo said the centres are strengthening their capabilities further to better meet companies' needs.

The centres will be expanding their pool of productivity consultants, including those with specific industry expertise, such as in retail or food services.

They are also conducting research and benchmarking studies, to better address the specific productivity issues affecting each sector.

Mr Teo said the Government will continue to monitor industry demand, and scale up productivity centres to cover new sectors where required.