SINGAPORE - In today's challenging economic situation, the most "robust strategy" across all scenarios is for firms to invest in innovation-led growth and ready themselves for the upturn which will surely come, said Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) S Iswaran on Tuesday (April 5).

Speaking at the annual SME (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) Day organised by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star), Mr Iswaran urged firms here to continue partnering with A*Star and other government agencies to embark on new innovation projects.

One programme offered by A*Star is called Growing Enterprises through Technology Upgrade (GET-Up), in which the agency provides technical advice and technology road-mapping services to SMEs.

"A total of 620 scientists and researchers have been seconded to 340 local SMEs since 2003 under the GET-Up programme," Mr Iswaran told a packed hall of researchers and SME bosses at the Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre.