Despite all this, the government seems determined to keep these centers alive, even if there are difficulties. The street vendors work endless hours in difficult conditions, and the average age of those who work in these stalls is around 60 years old. The rapid economic development of Singapore has brought the average income to over 48,000 dollars a year, well above countries like Germany or Japan. There is therefore the fear that young people are no longer interested in this profession, and that the tradition of street vendors will slowly disappear without intervention.
the government has launched a fax lists series of initiatives. These include the “Incubation Stall Program,” which offers reduced rents for fully equipped stalls for 15 months, so newcomers can start their business without too much financial risk. Then there’s the “Succession Program,” which matches veteran vendors with aspiring newcomers, so that stalls can survive even after the owner retires. To make things easier, there are also grants that cover up to 80 percent of the cost of new equipment.
The most ambitious program, however, is the “Street Vendor Development Program,” which offers training, apprenticeships, and mentoring. In a five-day course, for example, they are taught not only the secrets of the trade, but also how to run a business. The Program has been active since 2020, and out of 566 aspiring vendors, only 120 have completed the apprenticeship. Even fewer, 29, have started a stall, and only 16 continue to operate.