2023-11-17

Hilleman Laboratories officially opens a production vaccine facility in Singapore

A large-scale manufacturing facility that develops affordable vaccines in Singapore for common diseases, and can easily switch to production of new vaccines for the next pandemic, was officially opened on Thursday (November 9, 2023). The $27 million facility is part of a five-year $80 million investment by Hilleman Laboratories, which also includes a research and development (R&D) laboratory in Biopolis. The new 30,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in Depot Road, called Aces, focuses on early clinical development of vaccines during peacetime. “Hilleman Laboratories will be a crucial piece of the pandemic preparedness and resilience jigsaw,” said Health Minister Ong Ye […]
2023-11-14

Singapore launches a “Refreshed Retail Industry Digital Plan” to help retailers deepen digital capabilities

Retail enterprises will get more help to go digital under a refreshed retail industry digital plan launched on Thursday (November 9, 2023). It will assist about 23,000 enterprises in the retail sector in protecting themselves against cyber attacks and safeguarding their customers’ personal data. This sort of protection is critical for a firm’s reputation and to fortify it against such attacks, said Minister of State for Trade and Industry Low Yen Ling, who launched the refreshed plan during a visit to furniture retailer Scanteak. The plan was jointly developed by Enterprise Singapore and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), in […]
2023-11-08

Singapore unveils the “Forward Singapore“ report, seven shifts for a shared future

On October 27, 2023, A road map towards a more equitable and thriving Singapore has been put forth by the fourth-generation (4G) leadership, fleshing out the moves the Republic will make in the coming years to stay cohesive amid a time of change. These include a greater helping hand for groups such as the less well-off, mid-career workers and seniors, through means such as additional financial support and improved infrastructure. And there will be more done to ensure that Singaporeans’ basic needs at every life stage will be met, such as in education, retirement, healthcare and housing. These moves come […]
2023-11-07

The Singapore Enterprise Development Agency collaborates with the Polytechnic to assist small and medium-sized enterprises in developing innovative solutions

On November 2, 2023, Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) here will be able to tap polytechnics for expertise in developing robotics and automation solutions for urban environments, while food manufacturers can get help in seizing opportunities in emerging areas such as alternative proteins and sustainability. Enterprise Singapore (EnterpriseSG) will set up a Centre of Innovation (COI) for robotics and automation solutions in the built environment, while expanding an existing one for food manufacturing, said Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong. He announced these initiatives at the SME Tech Day 2023 event held at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre […]
2023-11-02

Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) programme to be tested in November 2023

On October 25, 2023, Power from batteries in electric vehicles (EVs) could potentially be used to help the country’s electricity grid meet peak demand, under a pilot programme that will start in November. The vehicle-to-grid (V2G) programme, as it is called, was made possible through a grant awarded by the Energy Market Authority (EMA) and Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) to a consortium led by transport operator Strides. The initiative, which will involve 15 commercial vans and 10 V2G-enabled EV chargers, will be tried out in Punggol and run for three years. FOZL Group provides one-stop corporate services to local and […]
2023-10-30

Singapore to set up a centralised gas agency to centralised gas procurement

On October 23, 2023, as Singapore is still expected to rely on natural gas for more than half of its power generation needs by 2035, further steps have to be taken to ensure that supply remains sufficient, reliable and competitively priced, said the Energy Market Authority (EMA). Speaking at the Singapore International Energy Week held at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre on Monday (October 23, 2023), Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong said the Government will be centralising the procurement and supply of gas for the power sector, under a central gas company, by aggregating demand from […]
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 […]