2023-10-25

The Singapore Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR) launches a new Electric Vehicle (EV) Battery Testing and Disassembly Line

Singapore’s economy managed to add 4,400 new manufacturing jobs in the first six months of 2023, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat said on October 18, 2023. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Industrial Transformation Asia-Pacific (Itap) 2023 event held at the Singapore Expo, DPM Heng said that these additional jobs were the result of the “good progress” made since the previous edition of Itap in 2022. Back then, he had launched refreshed industry transformation maps for five sectors – electronics, precision engineering, energy and chemicals, aerospace, and logistics – to boost resilience and seize new market opportunities. Mr […]
2023-10-23

Medical technology firm Leica Microsystems invests SGD 82 million in Singapore

Medical technology firm Leica Microsystems unveiled its new US$60 million (S$82.1 million) manufacturing and research and development facility here on October 17, 2023. The 20,600 sq m facility in Jurong will make surgical and industrial microscopes for export overseas, and is set to contribute 40 per cent of the Germany-headquartered company’s total revenue, as well as double its global production of surgical microscopes. The facility has 480 employees, but this will grow to more than 500 in the next six months, after hires are made for roles in R&D, product management and quality assurance. FOZL Group provides one-stop corporate services to […]
2023-10-19

“Global Innovation Alliance” grows to 18 nodes to help Singapore companies internationalise

On October 11, 2023, Singapore companies have a new buddy in New York to help them find a footing in the American market. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong launched Enterprise Singapore’s (EnterpriseSG) new Global Innovation Alliance node, which aims to help local companies find the right mix of investors, business partners and market strategies to succeed in the US. This platform will not only support the expansion plans start-ups might have, but it is also critical for Singapore to continue to make a good living as the world enters a more turbulent phase, he said in […]
2023-10-17

Singapore digital economy contributed 17.3% to GDP in 2022

On October 6, 2023, Singapore’s digital economy contributed $106 billion, or 17.3 per cent, to its gross domestic product (GDP) in 2022 and created more than 200,000 tech jobs, according to new data released by the nation’s media regulator. Published on Friday (October 6, 2023), the findings in the inaugural Singapore Digital Economy Report are the first official figures provided for the Republic’s digital economy. The study found that economic contribution of the digital economy to Singapore’s GDP nearly doubled to $106 billion from $58 billion between 2017 and 2022. It was put together by the Infocomm Media Development Authority […]
2023-10-11

Singapore companies can buy international carbon credits from 2024 to offset up to 5% of taxable carbon emissions

On October 4, 2023, a set of eligibility criteria was released to ensure that the carbon credits used by companies to offset part of their taxable emissions are of high quality. From 2024, the carbon tax will be increased from $5 per tonne now to $25 per tonne, then to $45 per tonne from 2026 to 2027, with a view of reaching $50 per tonne to $80 per tonne by 2030. Companies can, however, use international carbon credits to offset up to 5 per cent of their taxable emissions. Singapore’s carbon tax applies to all facilities producing 25,000 tonnes or […]
2023-10-09

The economic value of additive manufacturing in Southeast Asia is expected to reach $100 billion by 2025

On September 29, 2023, Local companies that use 3D printing for manufacturing now account for 40 per cent of the Asean market, which is expected to grow to US$100 billion (S$136 billion) by 2025. Minister of State for Trade and Industry Alvin Tan said on Friday (September 29, 2023) that this specialist segment, also known as the additive manufacturing sector, has expanded to around 200 companies, growing by more than 30 per cent from two years ago. Additive manufacturing can unlock the doors to sustainability, supply chain resilience and innovation, said Mr Tan, adding that there are even more opportunities […]
2023-10-04

Singapore to Strengthen Sustainable National Standards and Certifications to Facilitate Green Business Transformation

On September 29, 2023, Singapore companies will have help switching to more sustainable practices as more national and international standards are launched in the next two to three years. More than 25 sustainability-related national standards and accreditation programmes will be introduced or revised over the next two years by Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) together with the Singapore Standards Council and Singapore Accreditation Council (SAC). Some of these aim to boost decarbonisation efforts in the energy and maritime sectors, while some aim to help all enterprises better manage their carbon emissions, energy use, water efficiency and material flows, said EnterpriseSG’s managing director […]
2023-10-02

Singapore rises to fifth place in Global Innovation Index 2023

Singapore has moved up two spots to fifth place in the Global Innovation Index (GII), leading the South-east Asia, East Asia and Oceania (SEAO) region. The GII is a global ranking of the world’s most innovative economies. This year, the index used 80 indicators to track innovation trends in 132 economies. The US, Singapore and Israel topped the highest number of indicators. Singapore continued to top 11 out of 80 indicators, including government effectiveness, information and communications technology (ICT) access, and venture capital (VC). FOZL Group provides one-stop corporate services to local and overseas companies, currently serving over 1,000 companies in […]
2023-09-27

The Ministry of Education in Singapore has launched the Transforming Education Through Technology (EdTech) Masterplan 2030

On September 20, 2023, Transforming education through technology, refreshing school environments to enrich students’ learning experiences, and enhancing 21st century competencies – these are some of the measures announced by Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing to equip students to thrive in a fast-changing world. MOE’s Transforming Education Through Technology (EdTech) Masterplan 2030, which will be implemented in schools progressively from 2024, was launched at the seminar. With this masterplan, schools can leverage education technology to do more with current resources to cater to students’ different learning needs, while helping teachers manage the pace of change. FOZL Group provides one-stop […]
2023-09-25

Singapore to launch new training programme to boost semiconductor talent pool

On September 19, 2023, A new six-month training programme for integrated circuit design will be launched in August 2024 to train up to 150 people over the next five years, said Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong. Singapore will also double down on training research and development (R&D) talent to meet the target of producing 1,000 PhDs over the next 10 years, the minister added. Meanwhile, the Government will continue to collaborate with companies to provide scholarships and develop the postgraduate talent pool with critical R&D skills needed for the semiconductor industry, he said. Mr Gan said Singapore will […]
2023-09-21

Singapore’s Smart Nation agency to merge with the Ministry of Communications and Information’s digital development functions

The Smart Nation and Digital Government Group (SNDGG) is set to merge with the digital development functions of the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) to form a larger Smart Nation group. The merged entity will be part of the Prime Minister’s Office and will be administered by MCI, said the SNDGG and MCI in a joint statement on Tuesday (September 12, 2023), adding that news of the merger was shared with affected staff on the same day. The SNDGG currently oversees the Smart Nation strategy, the digitalisation of government services, and the development and application of digital technologies across […]
2023-09-19

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore to launch the Climate Transformation Programme

A new $50 million interdisciplinary research programme launched by Nanyang Technological University (NTU) on Wednesday (September 13,2023), will examine various aspects of climate change. The Climate Transformation Programme, which will be led by NTU’s Earth Observatory of Singapore (EOS), will look to create climate solutions and educate future leaders to form a resilient and sustainable world. The programme will be supported by a $50 million investment over seven years, with $47 million from the Ministry of Education and the remaining amount from NTU. Research will be conducted under six strategic clusters. FOZL Group provides one-stop corporate services to local and overseas […]