Mr Rob van Gijzel, Mayor of Eindhoven, Chairman of the Intelligent Community Forum Foundation and Chairman of the Brainport Foundation,
Your Excellency, Dr Michael Pulch, Ambassador of the European Union,
Your Excellency, Mr Hans Akerboom, Deputy Ambassador of the Kingdom of
the Netherlands,
Mr Ynse de Boer, President of DutchCham,
Distinguished guests,
Introduction
1. I am very pleased
to join you this evening at the DutchCham Winsemius Awards Gala Dinner. The
initiative to present these awards is laudable for they aim to recognise the
efforts of companies which have harnessed Singaporean and Dutch capabilities to
implement innovative strategies, attain market leadership, and demonstrate
sustainable behaviour.
Singapore and the Netherlands enjoy longstanding relations
2. Singapore and the Netherlands have a
special and longstanding friendship that goes back to the 19th
century, underpinned by our shared interests as small, trade-dependent and
forward-looking countries.
3. The Netherlands has contributed significantly
to Singapore’s economic development. Dr
Albert Winsemius played an essential role in shaping the early economic
strategies that transformed Singapore’s industrial landscape. This intellectual
contribution was complemented by the investments of Dutch companies such as
Royal Dutch Shell that seeded key developments in Singapore’s energy cluster.
4. Shell
was a pioneer in setting up Singapore’s first oil storage installation in 1891
and establishing Singapore’s first oil refinery in 1961. Shell’s efforts catalysed the development of
the energy and chemicals sector in Singapore, and it continues to be an important
anchor of Singapore’s energy and chemicals industry.
5. Today, Singapore and the Netherlands
have robust economic relations. The Netherlands is Singapore’s 3rd
largest European trading partner, and Singapore’s largest investor from Europe
with an overall FDI stock estimated at S$67.3 billion as of end-2014. There is
a strong cohort of about 1,300 Dutch companies in Singapore; many are global
leaders in their industries who continue to make significant contributions to
Singapore’s economy. One example is Unilever. In addition to managing some of
its leading global brands such as Lux and Pond’s from Singapore, Unilever has
established its global leadership development centre here to nurture future
business leaders by providing exposure and valuable insight to Asian consumers
and their evolving preferences.
Small and open economies must be innovative in the face of broader global forces
6. Tonight’s awards celebrate
the accomplishments and success stories of both Dutch and Singaporean
businesses across a variety of industries. Notably, the awards recognise
businesses for their efforts in the areas of innovation and sustainability: two
key attributes that are essential to the survival and growth of any business.
7. We live in an era of
rapid technological advances that have a profound impact on industries and
business models. Businesses that once were
thriving could be blindsided and superseded by the emergence and convergence of
new technologies. We have seen how the advent of new technologies like smart
phones and digital cameras have revolutionised telecommunications, photography
and film, consumer behaviour and even social interactions. Amidst such a dynamic environment, companies
must innovate and stay nimble or risk serious challenges from more agile
businesses.
8. In Singapore, we
recognise the importance of innovation to the competitiveness of our economy – it
enables us to compete on the basis of value and not cost; it strengthens industries
and builds new sectors; and creates opportunities and jobs. The Research Innovation Enterprise 2020 (RIE
2020) Plan announced by Prime Minister Lee in January this year underscores Singapore’s
continued commitment to help our companies and those based here be thriving
participants in technological changes and globalisation. The RIE 2020 plan sets aside $19 billion for
the next five years to promote research and innovation in four core
technological domains, including urban solutions and sustainability.
9. At a broader level, these
and other initiatives stem from the deeper recognition that as a small and open
economy, Singapore needs to be forward-looking and constantly strive to remain
relevant and competitive. Indeed, fifty
years ago, Dr Albert Winsemius was keenly aware of this immutable reality, and
had the foresight and vision to advise our founding leaders to transform
Singapore from an entrepot into a centre of manufacturing and industrialisation
in the 1960s.
10. Today, after 5 decades
as an independent nation, Singapore is at a similar economic crossroads. In the face of heightened competition and cyclical
factors, we have embarked on a strategic review of our economy. The Committee on the Future Economy (CFE), is
focusing on strategies that would position Singapore advantageously for
economic opportunities over the next 10-15 years. The Committee is focused on different aspects
– such as enhancing enterprise capabilities through collaboration between large
and small companies; fostering public/private and private/private partnerships
in innovation and internationalisation; and imbuing deep skills and
capabilities in our workforce - that will be essential to Singapore’s future
economic development. We will be tapping
extensively on the private sector expertise and canvassing widely for ideas
from a wide range of stakeholders as part of this national effort. In particular, we welcome business
associations like the Dutch Chamber of Commerce, and individual businesses like
you to come forward and share your ideas, to help us chart the path ahead.
Given Singapore’s lack of natural resources, we must harness rapid technological advances to engage in sustainable practices.
11. Another vital consideration
for a small country without natural resources is sustainability. Preserving our environment and
sustaining economic growth cannot and should not be mutually exclusive; indeed
both are essential for our future and that of our children. We must
ensure that our quality of life and its elements, such as a verdant liveable
environment and reliable water supply, are safeguarded and enhanced. Singapore’s founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan
Yew instilled in all of us an abiding commitment to a clean and green
Singapore.
12. Today, more businesses
also acknowledge the importance of environmental sustainability to the long
term viability of their business. By
adopting processes that reduce the environmental footprint of their operations,
businesses not only benefit from cost savings and enhanced profitability, but
also enhances their standing and viability in the eyes of their customers.
13. Notably, Dutch companies
play an important role in helping Singapore to achieve water sustainability and
mitigate the impact of climate change. For
instance, PUB is collaborating with PWN Technologies to use its ceramic
membrane technology[1] at the Choa Chu Kang Waterworks to increase the plant’s operating
efficiency and reliability at a lower cost.
14. In an urbanised environment
like Singapore, we need to be ever more vigilant about the water quality in our
distribution network. Singapore is
moving to implement a smart water network that not only pinpoints pipe
leakages, but also senses and detects water quality changes. In this regard, PUB has been working with
Optiqua Technologies, on the development of sensors that use the principles of
refraction for water quality monitoring.
15. In line with
Singapore’s Smart Mobility 2030 Vision, to enhance commuters’ travelling
experience by increasing road efficiency and reducing traffic congestion, the partnership
between NTU and NXP Semiconductors for the Smart Mobility Test Bed will test
and develop Vehicle-to-Everything technologies for vehicles to communicate with
each other and with designated roadside infrastructures. This collaboration and
many others like this will enable Singapore to take a significant step closer
to becoming a secure, smart, and connected city, and bring Singapore to the
forefront of smart mobility innovation.
16. Be it in energy, water,
or mobility technologies, it is evident that Singapore and the Netherlands are
like-minded and enjoy productive and mutually beneficial partnerships across
many sectors. And, I am glad that this
strong commitment and collaboration between our two countries on innovation and
sustainability is embodied not just in Government-to-Government relationships
but also shared by our business communities.
Conclusion
17. To succeed, it is
imperative that individuals, companies and countries collaborate, seek to constantly
improve and learn from the best. I
commend the Dutch Chamber of Commerce for initiating these Awards which recognise
the achievements of the recipients, and also serve to motivate other companies
to seek out innovative solutions for today’s needs.
18. My hearty congratulations
to this year’s Winsemius award winners, and I wish you all an enjoyable and
productive evening of networking and sharing.
Thank you.
[1] Membrane technology is used in water treatment to remove suspended particles and dissolved salts, and is used in both potable and wastewater treatment. In addition, Singapore’s NEWater and desalination processes also make extensive use of membranes.