SINGAPORE: If you have an innovative idea, you can make use of government's assets.

But you need to be the first one to come up with the idea.

This comes under the Ministry of Trade and Industry's 'First Mover Framework'.

The framework allows businesses to directly use an asset, without going through a competitive tender.

The First Mover also doesn't need to pay the full market price for the use of the asset.

For example, a First Mover had successfully applied to Nparks for the use of the beach for sandcastle building activities.

Another managed to use hawker centre table-tops as advertising space.

Those interested in this initiative can visit the website at www.firstmover.gov.sg

The role of Champion for the First Mover initiative is taken up by Head of Civil Service, Peter Ho, who chairs the Pro-Enterprise Panel (PEP).

To date, the panel has received 1,700 suggestions and half of these have been accepted for implementation.

The panel hopes that its initiative will lead to a more pro-enterprise environment for Singapore.

And in recognition of its efforts, the United Nations has accorded the PEP the distinction of being a Finalist in the UN Public Service Awards in 2008. -CNA/vm