Question

Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) what is the total development cost of Connect@Changi; (b) what is the process by which the contract was awarded to the consortium; (c) what has been the room utilisation and revenues derived from the facility since its opening; and (d) what is the expected payback period for the project.

Written Answer by Minister for Trade and Industry Mr Gan Kim Yong

1. The Connect@Singapore initiative is part of Singapore’s initiatives to allow a limited number of business and official travellers to enter Singapore for short-term stays of up to 14 days and to conduct business activities safely. For the entire duration of their stay, travellers will be housed in Appointed Facilities (AF), undergo regular testing, and strictly observe all prevailing Safe Management Measures (SMMs).

2. An open call for applications to set up the AF was conducted. The Government assessed all proposals based on the effectiveness of their measures to ensure tight adherence to SMMs and segregation of travellers from the local community. Connect@Changi, which was developed by a Singapore consortium comprising The Ascott Limited, Changi Airport Group, Sheares Healthcare Group Private Limited, Constellar Venues Private Limited[1], Surbana Jurong Private Limited, and Temasek Holdings Private Limited, was selected as the first AF under the Connect@Singapore initiative.

3. As the Connect@Changi AF is a commercially operated facility, it does not receive Government funding and the information on costs, revenue, utilisation etc as requested by the Member rests with the commercial operator and the Government is unable to provide it.