2023-06-13

Singapore launches the National Quantum-Safe Network Plus (NQSN+) to help businesses tap on quantum-safe technologies

On June 6, 2023, Singapore‘s Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies Heng Swee Keat, announced at the Singapore Asian Tech Conference the launch of the “upgraded version of the National Quantum-Safe Network Plus” (NQSN+). This initiative aims to empower businesses to leverage quantum security technology, further enhancing the protection of critical infrastructure and countering increasingly complex cybersecurity threats. The potential of quantum technologies has prompted Singapore to invest more than $250 million in quantum research since 2007. In 2022, Singapore established the similarly named National Quantum-Safe Network – a collaboration among industry players to conduct nationwide trials […]
2023-06-09

Singapore unveils one of the world’s first in master-planning an expansive digital infrastructure stack to power Singapore’s next bound of growth

On June 5, 2023, Ahead of Asia Tech x Singapore (ATxSG), the region’s most influential technology event, Mrs. Josephine Teo, Singapore’s Minister for Communications and Information launched Singapore’s Digital Connectivity Blueprint (DCB) that sets the direction for the next bound of Singapore’s digital connectivity. Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has also partnered Amazon Web Services AWS to launch a Joint Innovation Centre (JIC), a first-in-Southeast Asia and IMDA has also appointed 18 high potential tech professionals as SG Digital Leaders under the SG Digital Leadership Accelerator. Developed in consultation with the Advisory Panel on Digital Infrastructure, co-chaired by Dr. […]
2023-06-06

Singapore launches Jobs Transformation Map for Retail to help retail businesses plan for the future

On June 1, 2023, The Jobs Transformation Map (JTM) for Retail was launched by Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry Dr Tan See Leng, as a guiding resource to help retail companies plan for the future and ensure that their workforce is equipped with the necessary skillsets to meet evolving business needs. The JTM was jointly developed by Enterprise Singapore (ESG) and Workforce Singapore (WSG) with the Ministry of Manpower, and supported by SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), following the roll-out of the Retail Industry Transformation Map (ITM) 2025 in October last year. At the launch event, three […]
2023-05-31

Singapore launch of the Jobs Transformation Map (JTM) for the Food Services sector

On May 25, 2023, Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth and Minister of State for Trade and Industry Low Yen Ling, announced the launch of the Jobs Transformation Map (JTM) for the Food Services sector. She said food services industry contributed $4.5 billion to Singapore’s economy and employed about 235,000 workers in 2022. Food services trade associations and chambers – including the Restaurant Association of Singapore, Association of Catering Professionals Singapore and Singapore Nightlife Business Association – have committed to work with over 800 of their member companies to transform their jobs in line with the JTM. These […]
2023-05-30

Singapore government invested SGD 3.3 billion in the development of infocomm technology

On May 24, 2023, the Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech) released a statement indicating that the projected expenditure for the fiscal year 2023 in the field of information and communication technology (ICT) is expected to reach SGD 3.3 billion. A tender to replace more than 100,000 personal computers and printers across Singapore’s public service will be called in 2023, as part of the Government’s spending on infocommunications technology (ICT) this year. About $400 million will be spent on such devices, which are replaced every three years or so, the Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech) said on Wednesday. The […]
2023-05-23

Singapore launches Hotel Jobs Transformation Map ”Most positions require job redesign”

On May 18, 2023, Singapore’s Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade & Industry Dr Tan See Leng announced the launch of the Hotel Jobs Transformation Map. The guide addresses three major transformations that the hotel industry needs to tackle: the role of technology as a driver of growth, the emphasis on sustainability, and the changing expectations of the workforce and employees, which have led to intensified talent competition. Speaking at the launch of the JTM, Manpower Minister Tan See Leng said the STB estimates visitor arrivals in Singapore in 2023 will reach about 12 million to 14 million, […]
2023-05-22

The world’s largest sustainable aviation fuel refinery has commenced operations in Singapore

On May 17, 2023, Neste announced its final investment decision on additional renewable products production capacity in Singapore in December 2018. The EUR 1.6 billion Singapore Expansion project has been successfully completed, the start-up of the refinery expansion has been completed after mid-April, and Neste is celebrating its opening today. The Singapore refinery expansion doubles Neste’s production capacity in Singapore and brings the refinery’s total capacity to 2.6 million tons annually of which up to one million tons can be sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). This strengthens our position as the world’s leading SAF producer. In addition to increased production capacity, […]
2023-05-19

Sentosa Development Corporation: Sentosa leisure and dining establishments will no longer provide bottled water in plastic bottles by the end of 2023

On May 15, 2023, Sentosa Development Corporation announced that all hotels, food and beverage operators and attractions on Sentosa island will stop giving out plastic bottled water by the end of 2023, saving at least two million plastic bottles a year. This includes not providing bottled water in hotel rooms, at events, and for dine-in and takeaway, Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) told The Straits Times. By the year end, SDC said it will be requiring the different operators on its island to implement a range of other measures that will help to reduce the use of plastic bags, takeaway food […]
2023-05-17

Singapore’s Centre for Strategic Infocomm Technologies new plan to strengthen network security talent development

On May 12, 2023, Singapore’s Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, Mr Teo Chee Hean, announced the launch of a new initiative called the “Cyber Traineeship Programme” at the 20th-anniversary event of the Centre for Strategic Infocomm Technologies (CSIT) under the Ministry of Defence. The training programme, lasting seven months, is designed to provide recent graduates and career switchers without relevant experience with the necessary skills. Upon successful assessment, participants will have the opportunity to be employed at the centre. The training will cover various programming fundamentals, including Windows, Linux, Python, and other relevant subjects such as system […]
2023-05-15

Monetary Authority of Singapore to launch digital platform Promoting cooperation among financial institutions to combat financial crime

On May 9, 2023, Singapore’s Minister for Trade and Industry, Culture, Community, and Youth, Alvin Tan, announced that the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) plans to launch a digital platform called “Collaborative Sharing of ML/TF Information & Cases” (COSMIC). This platform aims to facilitate the sharing of information on suspicious illegal transactions among financial institutions to foster cooperation in combating financial crimes. The banks, which will also help develop the platform with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), are Citibank, DBS, HSBC, OCBC, Standard Chartered and UOB. Cosmic will first focus on three key risks – shell companies that conceal […]
2023-05-12

Singapore’s total foreign non-retail assets under management increased by S$470 billion in five years

On May 10, 2023, Mr. Alvin Tan, Minister for Trade and Industry, Culture, Community, and Youth, and board member of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, announced that the total assets managed by local financial institutions in Singapore for foreign non-retail investors such as family offices and high net worth individuals had increased by SGD 470 billion between 2017 and 2021. This represents a 20% increase in the overall asset management industry in Singapore during the same period. The category of “non-retail investors” in the annual Singapore Asset Management Survey report released by the Monetary Authority of Singapore is the closest […]
2023-05-08

Singapore launches an updated version of the Information and Communication Technology Industry Transformation Map

On May 5th, 2023, Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Mr.Lawrence Wong, announced the updated version of the Information & Communications Industry Transformation Map (ICT ITM). Singapore will continue to push for the development of the technology industry, with a focus on specific areas such as software, IT services, online, and telecommunications, to further solidify Singapore’s position as a center for leading technology companies and technology experts. The updated blueprint builds on the 2017 ICT ITM and aims to achieve a compound annual growth rate of 5% to 7% in specific technology sectors between 2021 and 2025, creating […]
2023-04-26

Singapore and China establish working group to strengthen green finance cooperation

On 21 April, 2023, The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the People’s Bank of China (PBC) today announced the establishment of the China-Singapore Green Finance Taskforce (GFTF). The GFTF will deepen bilateral cooperation in green and transition finance between Singapore and China and facilitate greater public-private sector collaboration to better meet Asia’s needs as it transitions to a low carbon future. At the inaugural meeting hosted in Chongqing today, the GFTF discussed joint initiatives aimed at scaling up green and transition financing flows between Singapore, China and the region. The GFTF will establish three initial workstreams to focus on […]