SPEECH BY MR S ISWARAN, MINISTER, PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE AND SECOND MINISTER FOR HOME AFFAIRS AND TRADE & INDUSTRY AT THE COMMEMORATION OF EXXONMOBIL’S SPONSORSHIP AT DRAGONFLY LAKE IN GARDENS BY THE BAY ON MONDAY, 21 MAY 2012, 0925 HRS 

His Excellency David Adelman, Ambassador of the United States to Singapore,

Mr Matthew Aguiar, Chairman and Managing Director, ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte Ltd

Dr Tan Wee Kiat, CEO, Gardens by the Bay

Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls

Introduction

I am pleased to join you this morning to commemorate ExxonMobil Singapore’s sponsorship of the educational resources at Singapore’s new garden oasis - Gardens by the Bay.

Gardens by the Bay is an iconic development at the heart of our city.  Its flora, fauna and other attributes will leave an indelible impression on our cityscape, and significantly raise the quality of urban living in Singapore.  It is also emblematic of NParks’ larger initiative to foster a strong sense of community ownership for, and awareness of, our green environment - even as we grow our economy.  ExxonMobil Singapore is testament to that credo.  It has had a presence in Singapore since 1893, and has continued to grow with our country while contributing to our community.

Value of Corporate Involvement in the Development of Singapore

Multinational corporations like ExxonMobil have always played an important role in Singapore’s growth.  ExxonMobil’s manufacturing presence here has grown in tandem with modern Singapore’s development.  From its beginnings as two medium-size refineries at Pioneer Road and Pulau Ayer Chawan, ExxonMobil now operates its world largest refinery across two sites, and a world-scale petrochemical complex.  When its petrochemical expansion is completed, the integrated manufacturing site in Singapore will be its largest in the world.  ExxonMobil Singapore is also the Asia-Pacific headquarters for the organisation’s Fuels Marketing, Lubricants, and Specialties and Chemical businesses, with over 3,300 employees. 

Beyond the economy, over the years, ExxonMobil has also been actively involved in various aspects of the community - from its support of the South West District, where its operations and manufacturing sites are located, to the arts and biodiversity protection.  Today, I am heartened that ExxonMobil in Singapore is adding yet another dimension to its community involvement - here at Gardens by the Bay.  Your sponsorship will go a long way towards the development of augmented-reality enabled binoculars, interpretive media panels and other state-of-the-art educational resources that will highlight the natural elements of the Dragonfly Lake, and its role as a filter for the water that flows through the lake and into the Marina Reservoir.  Students and visitors alike can look forward to an enriching learning experience when they visit this lake.  As a father, I am particularly happy to see corporations coming forward to support such novel initiatives that will capture the imagination of young minds and enliven their learning experience. 

It is essential that corporations foster sustainable business practices and support authentic causes within their host communities.  This strengthens the social compact and it remains an important aspect of Singapore’s growth as an inclusive community and a global city.  ExxonMobil has embraced this principle, and the company’s contribution towards the development of educational resources at Gardens by the Bay exemplifies its long-term commitment to the community here.  Public-private partnerships in such social investments also make for more effective and inclusive community efforts, with the government and private enterprise combining and complementing resources to better benefit society.

Singapore as a Preferred Leisure Destination

We are all also looking forward to the grand opening of the Gardens by the Bay next month.  It will broaden our range of leisure options and enhance the vibrancy of our tourism industry.

The Singapore Tourism Board aims to promote quality tourism – the emphasis is not merely on the number of visitor arrivals but, perhaps even more importantly, on the visitor experience and the yield from tourism activities (target of $30 billion in tourism receipts and 17 million in visitor arrivals by 2015).  With this aim in mind, we are working closely with international investors to develop new world-class attractions, and attract strategic business and leisure events to Singapore.

Singapore as the Ideal Location to Live, Work and Play

In 2010, Singapore was voted as the best place in Asia to live, work and play in the Mercer 2010 Quality of Life Survey.  It is consonant with our vision for Singapore to be a global city with a vibrant lifestyle - an ideal place to live, work and play, blending our rich and diverse cultural traditions with modernity.

In that regard, Marina Bay is taking shape as one of the most iconic bay-front cityscapes in the world.  Our unique Formula One street circuit, Pit Building and Singapore Flyer line the Bay, adding to the lifestyle and entertainment buzz here.  The new Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore will also be operational this week, enhancing our appeal as a tourism destination.  More than that, the Marina Bay area will integrate business and financial centres with residential properties and spaces for leisure and entertainment.  Gardens by the Bay will be an important green lung that will complement and complete this precint.

Gardens by the Bay will be yet another gem in the “necklace of attractions” at Marina Bay.

Conclusion

Singapore is committed to grow as a global city with a vibrant lifestyle for Singaporeans and visitors to enjoy.  To achieve that goal, we need a collective and sustained effort – from individuals, organisations and the government.  Today’s event epitomises the spirit of that collective endeavour. 

I would like to thank ExxonMobil for your continued support of our community, and to NParks for realising this vision of a garden oasis amidst a busy cosmopolitan city.  I look forward with much anticipation to the unveiling of the newest addition to the emerging landscape of the Marina Bay area - Gardens by the Bay.  Meanwhile, I hope everyone here today will enjoy the sneak preview of our “City in the Garden”.  I wish you a pleasant morning. 

Thank you.