SPEECH BY MR S ISWARAN SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF BOSCH RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY CENTRE ASIA PACIFIC ON 3 SEPTEMBER, 9.30 AM AT THE RESEARCHTECHNOPLAZA NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

Ladies and gentlemen,

Introduction

I am delighted to be here at the opening of the Bosch Asia Pacific Research and Technology Centre. Today’s opening marks another milestone in the growing partnership between Bosch and Singapore.

Bosch is recognized as a global leader in innovation in many areas, spending some 3 billion euros a year on R&D. A company like Bosch is noted for its considered and carefully evaluated decisions. Therefore, Bosch’s decision to establish its Research and Technology center here is strong testimony to Singapore’s capabilities and our ability to host such operations.

Urbanization and Singapore’s strong reputation in urban solutions

One of the key areas of focus for this center will be environmental sustainability. This is also, and always has been, an area of interest and policy priority for Singapore. Rapid urbanization is drawing the issue of environmental sustainability into even sharper focus. Today some 3.3 billion people, more than half the world’s population, live in cities. This is expected to increase by 50 per cent to almost 5 billion by 2030. Most of this growth will be in the developing world. In fact, it is expected that by 2010, 14 out of 25 megacities in the world (ie those with populations of more than 10 million) are expected to be in Asia.

Hence, urbanization is a global megatrend that will have an impact on the lives of many. It presents both challenges and opportunities for companies and countries that seek to make a difference. Singapore, as the quintessential urban city, constantly searches for innovative solutions to ensure that we remain an attractive and liveable city. Over the years, we have developed expertise in several areas such as urban planning, traffic management, public housing and water supply, to name a few.Many of the solutions that we have developed will be applicable to emerging cities around the world. Hence, the Economic Development Board has identified Urban Solutions as a growth theme to focus on.

Under the Urban Solutions initiative, EDB and partner agencies will create developmental platforms to encourage companies to use Singapore as a ‘Living Laboratory’ - to test, prove, adapt and implement solutions in Singapore before exporting these to the rest of the world. A good example is how, over the years, we have opened up our water infrastructure for companies to test, develop and implement innovative water technology which has then been exported to emerging markets like China, India, Vietnam and the Middle East.

Another interesting area is clean energy, which we have identified as a key growth sector for Singapore. As a sign of our commitment, the government has allocated S$350 million to develop this industry. The recent investments by Renewable Energy Corporation, Oerlikon Solar and Norsun in the last year are evidence that Singapore is on the right path. In June this year, we set aside another S$20 million under the Solar Capability Scheme (SCS) to encourage private enterprises to integrate solar technologies into energy efficient buildings. This complements the S$17 million Clean Energy Research and Test bedding (CERT) program launched last year, aimed at promoting the testing and development of clean energy solutions using public buildings and facilities.

Partnering international companies in innovation intensive R&D activities

With such efforts in place, we aim to provide companies like Bosch with the ideal environment to test the innovative solutions they develop. In this regard, I am glad to note that Bosch has already started some R&D collaboration with NTU. As we develop the various platforms to support the Urban Solutions initiative, there will be even greater opportunities for collaboration in areas such as urban mobility, green buildings and security, among others.

I am very glad that Bosch has joined the growing number of international companies that are finding it attractive to set up R&D operations in Singapore. Companies find Singapore an attractive R&D location because of our strong regime for the protection of intellectual property rights, the availability of good local and foreign talent, as well as the ability to work together with our Universities and Research Institutes. I hope more companies will follow Bosch's example in using Singapore as a ‘Living Laboratory’ - to test, prove, adapt and implement solutions in Singapore before exporting these to the rest of the world.

Conclusion

On this note, I would like to congratulate Bosch on the opening of the Bosch Asia Pacific Research and Technology Centre. Thank you for your trust and confidence in Singapore. We look forward to a long and productive partnership with Bosch and many interesting ‘made-in-Singapore’ innovations originating in this center.