THREE singles are among the first batch of matchmakers who have been found to be just right to help you find your Mr or Ms Right.

They are among seven dating agencies and nine dating practitioners to carry the Social Development Unit (SDU) Trust Mark.

These dating agencies are expected to uphold the standards and integrity of the dating service.

Can matchmakers who are single help others find love successfully?

Associate Professor Paulin Straughan, chairperson of the Accreditation Council for the Dating Industry, said: 'I think, actually, they (single matchmakers) can capitalise on their singlehood status. They can put themselves in the position of their clients.

'What is it like to be single and looking for somebody? So, in that way, perhaps they may have a value-add to bring to the business.'

She added that what is more important is 'the training that the person has gone through, the kind of organisation that they work in, that backs up their work.

'Whether they are married or not really doesn't, I think, play an important, a key role, in the kind of quality services they can bring.'

On 23 Oct, The New Paper had reported that the matchmaking website of Who Works Around You was among the first to win SDU accreditation.

Yesterday, the selected agencies and practitioners received their accreditation from Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports, at the annual Partner Connection Trade Seminar.

This article was first published in The New Paper on 6 Nov 2008.