The Singtel Group is committed to ethical and responsible business practices, which extend to our supply chain as well. During the year, Australia introduced a new Modern Slavery Legislation, which we will be using to update our Supplier Code of Conduct, Supplier Risk Assessment Questionnaires, Supplier Service Agreements and engagement process to ensure that our supply chain operates at the highest level of human and labour rights as well as environmental practices.

Recognising that building a sustainable future requires the work of many hands, Singtel supports innovative individuals and businesses that are working to address social issues for vulnerable people.

We aim to empower such innovators through the Singtel Group Future Makers, our regional accelerator programme that supports entrepreneurs. The programme offers participants workshops, coaching and mentoring sessions to help with developing vision, leveraging technology, understanding customers, the art of storytelling and digital marketing strategies.

In 2018, the third instalment of the annual programme held in Sydney, Australia attracted over 3,000 applicants from Singapore, Australia, Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia. 48 selected start-ups received more than S$1 million in funding and support, and were advised by volunteer teams of Singtel experts and partners from the social and private sectors on their technology solutions and business models.