| Regional Affairs
Singapore dominates ranking of future-ready economies in Asia Singapore Business Review 5th Apr 2016
It beat Hong Kong and Beijing. Singapore has been hailed the most future-ready economy in the Asia Pacific region, and the third worldwide. According to the press release by Dell, the 50 cities ranked were evaluated according to human capital, infrastructure, and commerce. “This ranking, the Dell Future-Ready Economies Model, scores large, high-growth global metropolitan areas based on attributes that enable people and organizations to access new tools and new ideas that deliver better connectivity, better economic performance—and a greater ability to attract talent,” Dell states.
Singapore, Malaysia reaffirm longstanding ties Channel NewsAsia 2nd Apr 2016
Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and his Malaysian counterpart Anifah Aman reaffirmed close bilateral relations between both countries during Dr Balakrishnan's working visit to Sabah, Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in a statement on Saturday (Apr 2). MFA said Mr Anifah hosted Dr Balakrishnan to lunch on Saturday, where both ministers "had a fruitful exchange of views on regional developments".
PM Lee: US needs to continue engaging with Asia and the world, regardless of election outcome Channel NewsAsia 1st Apr 2016
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong spoke on a broad range of topics – including the Trans-Pacific Partnership, working with China, the US elections and the role of the United States – in an interview with the Wall Street Journal on Monday (Mar 28). Mr Lee gave the interview while on a working visit to the United States, where he will attend the 4th Nuclear Security Summit.
Friends of Singapore in European Parliament launched Channel NewsAsia 31st Mar 2016
The Friends of Singapore in European Parliament, a group set up to promote closer ties between Singapore and the European Union, was officially launched by Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on Thursday (Mar 31). Held at the Exhibition Gallery in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the event was attended by around 50 guests, including members of the European Parliament.
Singapore, Thailand must work more closely to promote intraregional trade: Balakrishnan Channel NewsAsia 29th Mar 2016
Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan is in Thailand on a two-day introductory visit, starting Monday (Mar 28). In his opening remarks at the 12th Thai-Singapore Civil Service Exchange Programme (CSEP) in Bangkok, Dr Balakrishnan said the two countries must work more closely to promote intraregional trade and greater connectivity in the ASEAN Economic Community. He also commented on 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two ASEAN countries. The CSEP is an institutional platform for the civil services to exchange ideas and experiences. The theme this year is to support ASEAN connectivity.
National Affairs
488 cases investigated for PIC fraud: Heng Swee Keat Channel NewsAsia 5th Apr 2016
The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) has investigated 488 cases for fraud under the Productivity and Innovation Credit (PIC) scheme as of Dec 31, 2015, Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat said in a written Parliamentary reply on Tuesday (Apr 5). He said eight of those cases resulted in prosecution. They involved a total of S$213,000 in cash payouts. Another three cases are pending trial. The 11 court cases do not involve consultants, Mr Heng added. In Parliament last month, Senior Minister of State for Finance Indranee Rajah stated that IRAS had clawed back about S$11 million under the PIC scheme so far. She said 1,470 claims out of about 71,000 cash payment claims made from Years of Assessment (YA) 2011 to 2015 that have been investigated or audited by IRAS required clawback.
New Bill tabled to make Singapore a more attractive international dispute settlement venue Channel NewsAsia 4th Apr 2016
Law Minister K Shanmugam on Monday (Apr 4) tabled the Choice of Court Agreements Bill, which aims to enhance the rulings of local courts, including the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC). According to the press release by the Ministry of Law, the Bill, if passed, will implement the Hague Convention of Jun 30, 2005, on Choice of Court Agreements, which will pave the way for the country to ratify it.
Budget debate: Develop metrics to track efficacy of Govt spending, MPs say Channel NewsAsia 4th Apr 2016
Efficacy and accountability in government spending emerged as a key area of concern on Monday (Apr 4), the first day of the two week-long Budget and Committee of Supply debates in Parliament. In his Budget speech on Mar 24, Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat announced significant spending in the area of support innovation and enterprise, including a S$4.5 billion Industry Transformation Programme. Members of Parliament focused on the finer details of implementation, bringing up the need for government spending to be well accounted for, to ensure that the investments realise their intended outcomes.
Singaporeans report 'haze' smell Channel NewsAsia 29th Mar 2016
The 3-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) crept up from Tuesday afternoon (Mar 29) before peaking at 87 at 8pm, the highest level this year. It went down to 83 by 10pm. However readings of the 24-hour PSI at 8pm was 65-78, still within the Moderate range. When the 24-hour PSI goes beyond 100, it is considered unhealthy. In response to media queries, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said there are a few possible causes for a burning smell in the air. It could be due to "transboundary smoke haze from forest and peat fires in the region, the occurrence of local fires or other localised sources of burning". It added that smells may not always be accompanied by higher PSI or PM2.5 readings.
What Singapore’s New Budget Means The Diplomat 29th Mar 2016
On March 24, Singapore unveiled an expansionary fiscal budget as part of the city-state’s ongoing drive to increase productivity, cope with economic headwinds, and ready itself for future disruptive technologies such as robotics and information and communications technology (ICT). A sizable part of the budget is also aimed at building a “caring and resilient society.” In other words, there is a dual emphasis on enterprise and innovation on one hand, and social support on the other. The 2016 budget was Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat’s first, as well as the first budget since the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) won a resounding victory in the 2015 general elections. It also comes after a day after the one-year anniversary of the passing of Singapore’s founding father and first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew. The budget brings Singapore into the next 50 years, following the city-state 50th jubilee celebrations in 2015.
Customs
The Port of Singapore as a barometer of health of China’s economy and global trade Platts 31st Mar 2016
Shipping, rather than commodity prices, can often be a good barometer of the overall health of China’s manufacturing and of international trade, so it was quite a surprise to see a large number of empty container berths in the vast, sprawling container terminals of Singapore last week. When driving in from Changi airport at night, the first indicator was the large number of container gantry cranes with their booms up, rather than down and working cargo. It may have been dark, but each crane is lit, so as not to be a hazard to aviation, so they were clear to see.
Three bridges to JB would ease travel woes The Straits Times 28th Mar 2016
The report last Thursday ("'JB can be Malaysia's second-biggest city'") brings hope of a brighter future for both Malaysia and Singapore. During the Mahathir era, the relationship between the two countries was somewhat acrimonious. When Datuk Seri Najib Razak took over as the Prime Minister of Malaysia, the KTM railway land issue was quickly resolved.
Accenture wins tender for next-generation trade platform The Straits Times 1st Apr 2016
Multinational consulting firm Accenture has won the tender to build the next-generation National Trade Platform, according to a notice on GeBiz yesterday. Accenture beat Singtel unit NCS and a consortium led by CrimsonLogic to secure the $107.8 million tender. It had quoted the lowest price based on items required upfront by the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA). Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat said in last week's Budget statement that the project was one of the measures to support industry-level transformation.
Defense & Security
Singapore to beef up nuclear security, PM Lee says Channel NewsAsia 2nd Apr 2016
Singapore will roll out tighter controls to detect and analyse radioactive and nuclear materials passing through its borders, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said. PM Lee said this at the 4th Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) in Washington, DC on Friday (Apr 1), where more than 50 countries shared their progress in strengthening nuclear security. Since the first NSS in 2010, Singapore has tightened checks on radioactive materials passing through its ports, with every case of nuclear fuel transiting through Singapore being tracked. “From time to time, we have intercepted cargo and confiscated items,” Mr Lee said.
Singapore takes over command of counter-piracy task force from Pakistan Navy Channel NewsAsia 1st Apr 2016
The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) command team will lead and coordinate Combined Task Force (CTF) 151, a multinational counter-piracy task force, from the Pakistan Navy in the Gulf of Aden over the next three months. In a press release on Friday (Apr 1), the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) said the team, led by Rear-Admiral (RADM) Cheong Kwok Chien from the Singapore Navy, will also coordinate counter-piracy operations with task forces from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation and the European Union, as well as with navies from other countries.
Economics
SMEs urged to partner Government to innovate and tap on technology Channel NewsAsia 5th Apr 2016
Small and medium enterprises have been spending more on research and development, and the Government hopes more businesses can tap on innovation and technology for future growth. This is according to Trade and Industry (Industry) Minister S Iswaran, who said SMEs spent about S$800 million on R&D in 2014 - 38 per cent more than in 2013. Mr Iswaran, speaking at research agency A*STAR's SME day, where he was guest of honour, encouraged SMEs to partner government agencies such as A*STAR and SPRING Singapore to leverage on innovation and technology to boost productivity and develop new capabilities.
Significant slowdown in productivity growth a challenge globally: Tharman Channel NewsAsia 1st Apr 2016
Productivity growth has seen a significant slowdown globally, despite innovations in technology, and this is creating challenges for economies all around the world, including Singapore, said Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam. Speaking at the Singapore Forum on Friday (Apr 1), Mr Tharman, who is also Coordinating Minister for Economic and Social Policies, said there has been a divergence in productivity growth between outward-oriented sectors and domestically-focused ones.
SPRING Singapore, PA to extend collaboration on SME Centres initiative Channel NewsAsia 1st Apr 2016
A partnership between SPRING Singapore and People's Association (PA) has been extended by three years to provide small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with business advice and help them have better access to Government schemes. The SME Centres are an initiative by SPRING Singapore established in 2013, in collaboration with trade associations and chambers, as well as other Government agencies including People's Association (PA). There are currently 12 centres, including five main centres housed at trade associations and chambers. Seven more satellite centres are located at Community Development Councils (CDCs) as well as at Ang Mo Kio Community Centre and Changi Simei Community Club.
What talents will a future Singapore need? The Business Times 30th Mar 2016
THE talents possessed by the Singapore workforce today may be completely irrelevant in the near future, depending on the kind of Singapore in existence then - and businesses ought to be prepared. Singapore in 2030 could be a nation in which technology has transformed nearly every relationship, where borrowers no longer need banks, and traditional media is replaced by networks of individuals creating and sharing their own content. Traditional skills would then fall by the wayside.
Singapore’s Online Hiring Records -7% Annual Dip in February The Independent 29th Mar 2016
Overall online hiring in Singapore registered -7% year-over-year decline in February, falling further from -2% reported between January 2015 and 2016. This is according to the latest Monster Employment Index (MEI) Singapore, a gauge of online job posting activities, recording the industries and occupations that show the highest and lowest growths in recruitment activity locally. In February 2016, the Production/ Manufacturing, Automotive and Ancillary sector saw the sharpest growth in online hiring, registering 9% year-over-year. This is the sector’s first positive annual growth since December 2014.
Government teams to study ways to transform over 20 sectors of economy: Heng Swee Keat The Straits Times 28th Mar 2016
The Government will set up teams to study how 20 economic sectors in Singapore, from logistics to tourism, can be transformed and made future-ready. Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat revealed this on Monday (March 28) on the sidelines of a visit to precision engineering company Feinmetall in Marsiling. The move aims to align the efforts of different parties - government agencies, trade associations, business Chambers and companies - in order to better implement the Industry Transformation Programme that was unveiled in the Budget last Thursday, he said.
Energy
Electricity tariffs to drop by 9.6% for next 3 months Channel NewsAsia 30th Mar 2016
Electricity tariffs will fall by an average of 9.6 per cent for the next three months, due to the lower cost of natural gas, SP Services announced on Wednesday (Mar 30). The tariff will decrease by 1.83 cents per kWh for Apr 1 to Jun 30. This means that the average monthly electricity bill for families living in four-room HDB flats will decrease by S$6.71, SP Services said.
Cleantech industry has benefited from Singapore's commitment to research, innovation: Iswaran Channel NewsAsia 30th Mar 2016
The need for renewable energy solutions in Asia is significant and the cleantech industry has been able to benefit from Singapore's commitment to research and innovation. Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) S Iswaran said this on Wednesday (Mar 30) as he welcomed a S$250 million investment from REC, a solar panel producer. REC is investing S$200 million in automation and technology upgrading. It is pumping in another S$50 million in research and development (R&D) collaboration with Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS) to develop a new type of solar panel.
Basic Energy tapping Singapore solar firm the Standard 5th Apr 2016
Basic Energy Corp. said Monday it teamed up with solar power developer nv vogt Singapore Pte. Ltd. in line with its goal to develop alternative energy sources. Basic Energy said the agreement with nv vogt covered the development of solar power projects in San Fabian and Bolinao, Pangasinan and other sites deemed ideal for solar power development. Under the memorandum of understanding, signed by Basic Energy president Oscar De Venecia Jr. and nv vogt president Vivek Chaudhri, the two companies would conduct due diligence aimed at getting the initial solar project off the ground in BEC’s property in San Fabian, Pangasinan. The property has a total lot area of 17.8 hectares, with the first phase expected to yield 10 megawatts-peak.
Singapore International Energy Week 2016 Presents “New Energy Realities” Control Engineering Asia 5th Apr 2016
The Energy Market Authority (EMA) has announced “New Energy Realities” as the theme for Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) 2016. The theme reflects the industry opportunities and challenges current environment of an excess supply of oil and gas. Oil prices have stayed down for a longer period than most had expected. This has discouraged new upstream investments, which would impact future supply. At the same time, the Paris Agreement following COP21 has given new impetus to the deployment of renewables. Technology progress has also continued to make energy production, systems and networks smarter, heralding new possibilities. Against this backdrop, SIEW 2016 will discuss how we can work together to navigate this period of change.
Financial Services
Singapore Banks' Outlook Lowered by Moody's as Pressures Mount Bloomberg 4th Apr 2016
DBS Group Holdings Ltd., Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. and United Overseas Bank Ltd. had their credit rating outlooks lowered to negative by Moody’s Investors Service, which said it expected a further weakening of conditions for the three largest Singaporean lenders as economic growth slows. “A more challenging operating environment for banks in Singapore in 2016, and possibly beyond, will pressure the banks’ asset quality and profitability,” Moody’s said in a statement, citing a slowdown in economic and trade growth both domestically and in the wider region.
MAS reveals plans for unified payment system for retail and hospitality outlets Singapore Business Review 4th Apr 2016
The central bank plans to harness breakthrough financial technology. Singaporeans may be experiencing more seamless payments soon as the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) reveals that it is working towards a unified Point of Sales (POS) terminal that can read all kinds of cards at retail and hospitality outlets. In a speech by Ravi Menon, managing director of the MAS, he announced that the regulatory body is also exploring an all-in-one addressing system that will enable residents to pay someone electronically using only the payee’s mobile number, e-mail address, social network account, or other proxies, without using the payee’s bank account number.
Moody's revises outlook of Singapore banks to negative Channel NewsAsia 31st Mar 2016
Credit ratings agency Moody’s Investors Service has lowered the outlook on Singapore’s largest banks to negative from stable. The affected banks are DBS Bank, its parent company DBS Group, Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp (OCBC) and United Overseas Bank (UOB). Moody’s said the rating reflects its expectation that a more challenging operating environment for banks in Singapore this year, and possibly beyond, will put pressure on the banks’ asset quality and profitability.
Demand for cyber insurance in Singapore to grow by 50% in 2016: AIG The Straits Times 31st Mar 2016
The cyber insurance market in Singapore will grow by 50 per cent this year as more businesses look to mitigate the high reputational and financial risks associated with cyber breaches, according to AIG Asia Pacific Insurance (AIG Singapore). As Singapore gears up in its drive to be the world's first Smart Nation, new interconnected technologies and increasing automation mean a rise in threats of cyber attacks and sabotage for all companies, said AIG Singapore. Said its head of financial lines Lai Yen Yen: "While cyber attacks grow in size, volume and sophistication, defensive methods and technologies have not seen a corresponding evolution, potentially costing businesses millions in the event of a cyber breach."
Singapore bank lending dips in February as general commerce loans slide Channel NewsAsia 31st Mar 2016
The Republic's total bank lending in February fell from January on a decline in loans to general commerce, central bank data showed on Thursday (Mar 31). Loans and advances by domestic banks in the city-state amounted to S$596.2 billion in February, data from the Monetary Authority of Singapore showed. That compared with S$600.2 billion in January. February bank lending slid 1.2 per cent from the year-earlier level of S$603.5 billion.
Banks and fintech firms can and must collaborate: MAS executive Channel NewsAsia 29th Mar 2016
While financial technology (fintech) is upending many different aspects of the financial industry, it does not necessarily pose a challenge for traditional banks and financial services companies, said a senior Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) executive on Tuesday (Mar 29). Instead, fintech – which involves using technology to devise new financial services and products – can be seen as a partner that will enable banks to create better products for customers.
Banks in Singapore still seeking to grow SME loan book The Straits Times 28th Mar 2016
A string of recent announcements by banks here underlines the importance they attach to the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) segment, even as SME loan demand looks set to moderate this year. SMEs are vital to the local economy so any slowdown amid prevailing business headwinds will be only temporary. And banks are already acting to secure their market positions ahead of this inevitable recovery. Just two weeks ago, Maybank Singapore said it wants to "aggressively" target the retail SME segment - its term for small businesses with revenues of up to $20 million - and grow its loan book in the segment by 40 per cent this year. It is a bold statement, given the choppy operating environment for companies here, but the bank's community financial services head Choong Wai Hong said the push is both timely and necessary. "Sure, the growth and trade conditions are in a bit of a struggle now, but the SMEs still contribute to over half of gross domestic product and employment in Singapore," he told The Straits Times. "That tells us that the SMEs here are still thriving, or they can with enough resources to grow in a high-cost environment.
Food & Agriculture
Singapore scientists see future in ‘functional food’ for those with chronic diseases Malay Mail 6th Apr 2016
From diabetic-friendly bread to cake suitable for kidney patients on haemodialysis, new food products have been developed by scientists here in recent years to make it easier for the health-conscious and those with chronic diseases to boost their nutrition. While the products are no substitute for regular balanced meals and do not cure health problems, they offer more choices to help individuals with various health conditions meet their nutritional needs. There is significant potential for innovation in functional food as Singaporeans are now more aware and concerned about their health and are taking a more pro-active approach to eating well, said Lau Kum Yee, Singapore Polytechnic’s course chair for its Diploma in Food Science and Technology. Functional food refers to food that has added ingredients that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition.
Lim Neo Chian appointed Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority chairman from April 1 The Straits Times 31st Mar 2016
Mr Lim Neo Chian will be appointed chairman of the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) board for a two-year term, with effect from Friday (April 1). Mr Lim, who is currently the deputy chairman, succeeds Mr Koh Soo Keong, 64, who has served on the AVA board for 14 years, holding the chairmanship since April 2008. In a joint statement with the Ministry of National Developmenton Thursday, AVA said Mr Lim, 62, brings invaluable experience from his career in the military, public and private sectors.
Singapore start-up develops robot for food delivery Channel NewsAsia 29th Mar 2016
Local start-up Aitech Robotics and Automation (R&A) has developed a robotic prototype to make deliveries for food and beverage (F&B) outlets, it announced on Tuesday (Mar 29). This robot can be deployed in F&B outlets or in office buildings to facilitate the delivery of orders, which customers can make through a mobile application. If deployed in an office building, it will also be able to sense the different levels in an elevator to make deliveries to the right floors
Health & Life Sciences
No plans to increase Caregivers' Training Grant: MOH Channel NewsAsia 4th Apr 2016
There are no plans to increase the Caregivers’ Training Grant, said Health Minister Gan Kim Yong on Monday (Apr 4). In a written Parliamentary reply to Associate Professor Daniel Goh, Mr Gan said this is because “the current grant of S$200 per annum is generally adequate”. Added the Health Minister: “Today, about 80 per cent of all approved caregiver training courses cost S$200 or less. The average annual utilisation per grant recipient has remained at about S$160 for the past five years."
Public healthcare institutions' resilience against terror under review: Health Ministry Channel NewsAsia 4th Apr 2016
Amid the heightened threat of terrorism, security plans at Singapore’s public healthcare institutions are being reviewed, Minister of State for Health Dr Lam Pin Min said in Parliament on Monday (Apr 4). The review, conducted by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs, is expected to be completed in a few months, Dr Lam said in response to a question posed by Marine Parade GRC MP Fatimah Lateef. Among the areas being looked into are preventive security; contingency plans to deal with different scenarios; and threat levels, including terrorist incidents and consequence management. The review will also examine the required competency of security personnel.
NLB to introduce more programmes for seniors to promote active ageing Channel NewsAsia 1st Apr 2016
In a bid to encourage active learning and ageing among seniors, the National Library Board (NLB) on Friday (Apr 1) announced it will introduce a slew of programmes on a quarterly basis at 11 senior activity centres across Singapore. The NLB has offered library services and activities to these centres since 2012, including setting up reading corners for seniors to have more access to books.
Discovery boosting effectiveness of antibiotics 'major step forward': NTU scientists Channel NewsAsia 30th Mar 2016
The effectiveness of antibiotics could be enhanced by disrupting the cell-to-cell communication between bacteria and their ability to latch on to each other, said scientists from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) on Wednesday (Mar 30). The findings will be a “major step forward” in tackling the growing concern of antibiotic resistance, opening up new treatment options for doctors to help patients fight against chronic and persistent bacterial infections, they added. Led by Assistant Professor Yang Liang from the Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences at NTU, the study found that a community of bacteria - known as biofilm - can put up a strong line of defence to resist antibiotics.
NKF opens Singapore’s first 24-hour dialysis centre Channel NewsAsia 29th Mar 2016
The centre offers longer night dialysis sessions, known as nocturnal dialysis, that typically lasts for six to eight hours. In contrast, regular dialysis sessions usually take four hours. According to NKF's chief executive officer, Edmund Kwok, longer dialysis sessions remove toxic wastes and fluids at a much slower rate. This leads to improved appetite, which allows the patient to have a less restrictive diet.
MOH increasing home care, day care places for elderly: Amy Khor Channel News Asia 5th Apr 2016
SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Health is on track to meet its target of 10,000 home care places and 6,200 day care places by 2020, said Senior Minister of State for Health Amy Khor in Parliament on Tuesday (Apr 5). Dr Khor said the Health Ministry has been working to expand the Republic's home and centre-based care capacity. “We currently have a capacity of 6,900 home care and 3,500 centre-based day care places. This is an 80 per cent increase from the 3,800 home care places, and a 67 per cent increase from the 2,100 day care places in 2011," she said. Dr Khor said the ministry has also been working to raise awareness of home and centre-based care so the elderly can consider these services. While there is no wait time for home care services, Dr Khor said there may be an average wait time of 20 days for day care services due to a "geographical imbalance of supply and demand". For example, in certain places such as the central region, mature estates or those with an ageing profile, it may not be easy to find available places for new senior care centres, Dr Khor said. In some cases, the wait may also be longer because patients prefer to attend day care centres in certain locations for convenience, she noted.
Discovery of antibiotics effectiveness 'major step forward': NTU scientists Channel News Asia 30th Mar 2016
SINGAPORE: The effectiveness of antibiotics could be controlled by disrupting the cell-to-cell communication between bacteria and their ability to latch on to each other, said scientists from Nanyang Technological University (NTU) on Wednesday (Mar 30). The findings will be a “major step forward” in tackling the growing concern of antibiotic resistance, opening up new treatment options for doctors to help patients fight against chronic and persistent bacterial infections, they added. Led by Assistant Professor Yang Liang from the Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences at NTU, the study found that a community of bacteria - known as biofilm - can put up a strong line of defence to resist antibiotics. “Many types of bacteria that used to be easily killed by antibiotics have started to develop antibiotic resistance or tolerance, either through acquiring the antibiotic resistant genes or by forming biofilms,” the Asst Prof said. Associate Professor Kevin Pethe, an expert in antibiotic development and infectious diseases from NTU’s Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, said: “While the scientific community is developing new types of antibiotics and antimicrobial treatments, this discovery may help to buy time by improving the effectiveness of older drugs.” The study, supported by the Ministry of Education Academic Research Fund, took Asst Prof Yang and his team four years to complete. Moving forward, they will seek more ways to improve the efficiency of antibiotics for persistent infections.
NHG looks to gaming technology to boost healthcare sector Channel News Asia 28th Mar 2016
SINGAPORE: Injecting gaming technology into the healthcare sector could be a way to help patients and staff better understand illnesses, according to the National Healthcare Group (NHG). As such, it is calling for healthcare staff across Singapore to work with developers to put forth applications and games that could be brought to market. To give them the platform to achieve this, NHG officially launched the inaugural Health Innovation Technology (HIT) Challenge on Monday (Mar 28) at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, in collaboration with the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) and Serious Games Association (SGA). Staff from any hospital can work with the SGA and IDA to develop ideas and prototypes for potential games. S$3,000 will be offered to the winning team, which will be announced in August. A Memorandum of Intent (MOI) was also signed between the NHG, IDA and SGA, to pledge their commitment to further the integration of gaming technology within Singapore’s healthcare sector. "We're not trying to imagine technology and then hope somebody uses it. We're working with the community that's using it every day, and then we're finding ways to build it and make it very comfortable," said Mr Steve Leonard, executive deputy chairman of IDA. "The goal is the more comfortable the technology, the more it will be used. That's why it's a partnership between the domain experts and the technology industry."
Cheaper, less painful cancer test may be offered in Singapore this year The Straits Times 28th Mar 2016
Extracting tumour cells and DNA to track how the cancer is progressing in a patient will soon be as simple as doing it via a blood test, instead of the traditional biopsy. This new method, known as liquid biopsy, is less painful, cheaper and has none of the complications that a tissue biopsy could result in. It is already being explored by the international medical community. The new method could be offered as an option to cancer patients in Singapore as early as this year, said the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) and the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star), which have been working on studies involving patients here in the past year. Dr Daniel Tan, director of the Experimental Cancer Treatment Unit at the NCCS, said it started trying out liquid biopsy on cancer patients in the past five months, as part of a trial.
ICT
Govt researches how S’pore companies can tap into tech Today 6th Apr 2016
The Committee on the Future Economy (CFE) is studying how companies in Singapore can further tap into technology to improve operational efficiencies and business capabilities, said Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) S Iswaran yesterday at the annual A*STAR SME Day. In particular, the CFE’s sub-committee on corporate capabilities and innovation will study how technology can enable new business models, he said.
Some households may still be unaware of digital broadcasting transition: Yaacob Today 5th Apr 2016
More than 18 months after the launch of the Digital TV (DTV) Assistance Scheme, less than half of the notified eligible households have come on board the initiative, which provides low-income households with a free digital set-top box and an indoor antenna. Adding that there could be several reasons a household may choose not to accept the assistance package — including the fact that some may already subscribe to pay television or have bought newer TV models that are DTV-ready — Minister for Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim nevertheless expressed concern that some households may still be unaware of the transition to digital broadcasting, despite letters sent to them. “We will continue to engage the public and our stakeholders to raise DTV awareness,” said Dr Yaacob in Parliament yesterday, in response to questions by Member of Parliament (Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC) Sun Xueling.
1,000 electric cars to be added to current car-sharing pool of 300 vehicles Channel NewsAsia 4th Apr 2016
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) and the Economic Development Board (EDB) are currently evaluating proposals from car-sharing operators to create an electric vehicle car-sharing programme, said Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan on Monday (Apr 4). The Minister said the programme will see up to 1,000 electric cars deployed nationwide within 10 years, in response to a parliamentary question by MP Cheng Li Hui.
Springboard for innovation in Jurong The Straits Times 1st Apr 2016
It is historically apposite that Jurong has been chosen as the site of an innovation district to be launched. Some have wondered once if it would become "Goh's folly" when Dr Goh Keng Swee envisioned industries rising from what was then swampland. He realised that newly independent Singapore had to move beyond its accustomed trading activities and embark on an industrial future to provide the jobs needed by a growing population. His was an ambitious project to transform Jurong's jungles and fishing villages into a sprawling industrial estate. But Jurong's reinvention as a manufacturing hub helped lay the foundations of Singapore's modern economy. The plan for the Jurong Innovation District, announced by Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat during his Budget presentation, builds on the area's rich economic heritage. By making it an incubator for higher value-added activities, it extends the role of technology in taking the economy to the next plane.
NFC-enabled smartphones can be used to pay for transport, food Channel NewsAsia 29th Mar 2016
Following the conclusion of a joint trial to study the use of Near Field Communication (NFC) technology to pay for public transport, compatible mobile phones can now be used to do just that. With the new NFC SIM card, certain mobile devices can be used for payments on MRT, LRT and public buses, as well as at more than 30,000 ez-link acceptance points across the island, according to a joint press release by the Land Transport Authority (LTA), Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) and EZ-Link on Tuesday (Mar 29).
All abuzz over drone racing in Singapore Channel NewsAsia 29th Mar 2016
The skies over Marina Bay were slightly more crowded on Sunday (Mar 27), buzzing with the newly familiar hum of drones. Part of the i Light Marina Bay event series FutureMe, the race saw streamlined, powerful, pint-sized drones zipping through an aerial obstacle course at speeds topping 170 kilometres per hour. Tiny cameras were mounted on the drones, allowing the pilots to see exactly what was going on in the skies. The real-time video was streamed through a set of goggles - similar to the Oculus virtual reality gear - worn by the pilot on the sidelines.
Robotics can help transform Singapore's SMEs, says Iswaran The Straits Times 4th Apr 2016
Robotics solutions - which received a big boost in Budget 2016 - may help transform Singapore's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as the economy restructures, but the process will require more than just the technology. The adoption of robotics still needs cultivation among SMEs, while some workers will need reskilling to move up the value chain in a more automated economy, Minister for Trade and Industry (Industry) S. Iswaran said yesterday.
Infocomm tech sector 'needs more S'poreans' The Straits Times 28th Mar 2016
Singaporeans were yesterday urged to join the information and communications technology (ICT) sector, which is set to be "abundant" in opportunities and growth potential. Minister for Communications and Information Yaacob Ibrahim made the call, stressing that he needs Singaporeans due to the security concerns of some ICT sectors, particularly cyber security. The Ministry of Communications and Information will raise the issue during the upcoming Committee of Supply (COS) debate, he said.
ICT manpower to be key focus in ministry's Budget: Yaacob ChannelNews Asia 26th Mar 2016
SINGAPORE: Addressing manpower issues in the Info-Communications and Technology (ICT) sector will be one key focus of the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) when it details its plans in the coming Budget debate. Despite an increase in the number of jobs available, Communications and Information Minister Yaacob Ibrahim said there is a "talent gap", with not many Singaporeans wanting to join the sector. "We're going to talk a lot more about ICT manpower and I hope young Singaporeans will consider this as a career of their choice because the opportunities are certainly abundant," said Dr Yaacob on the sidelines of the Car-Free Sunday event on Sunday morning (Mar 27). In particular, he pointed to opportunities in data analytics and the Smart Nation initiative, which will also require manpower to not just maintain the system but develop applications and services for Singaporeans. Cyber-security is another area where more Singaporeans are needed, he said. "By its very nature I need Singaporeans because of the security concerns," stressed Dr Yaacob.
Infrastructure
REACH survey reveals mixed views on S’pore’s public transport system Today 5th Apr 2016
Despite the Government’s huge investment to improve bus services, a sizeable proportion of commuters still feel they are not reaping the benefits in terms of wait times and crowdedness, if the results of a recent survey conducted by REACH are anything to go by. Among other findings, the telephone poll with 1,200 randomly selected Singapore residents — aged 15 and above — found that half of the respondents felt that wait times have remained the same (40 per cent) or gotten longer (10 per cent), compared to last year.
More construction firms to adopt new technology to curb pollution Channel NewsAsia 31st Mar 2016
More construction companies are set to adopt a new technology to curb pollution and cut down on manpower costs. By end-2017, 800 construction sites are expected to use a system to check for silt discharged into public drains. This is estimated to bring about 100,000 man-hour savings per year for the companies. Silt is sediments consisting of very fine particles which, if washed into drains, can lead to pollution. Silty discharge is caused by the lack of proper earth control measures at construction sites.
Manufacturing
Factory activity shrinks in March, but at slower pace Today 5th Apr 2016
Manufacturing activity in Singapore shrank for the ninth straight month in March, but the pace of contraction slowed markedly as factories in China, Asia’s largest economy, recorded an unexpected pickup. Despite the improvement, economists warned of continued weak prospects for the city-state for the rest of this year. The Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) stayed below the 50-point threshold that separates expansion from contraction, but rose 0.9 of a point from the previous month to 49.4 points last month, said the Singapore Institute of Purchasing and Materials Management (SIPMM) Monday (April 4).
Singapore's manufacturing activity improves in March Channel NewsAsia 4th Apr 2016
Local manufacturing activity remained in contraction in March for the ninth straight month, although the performance was better compared with February. The latest Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) reading released on Monday (Apr 4) came in at 49.4, a 0.9 point increase from the reading of 48.5, according to the Singapore Institute of Purchasing & Materials Management (SIPMM). A reading above 50 means that the manufacturing economy is expanding, while a reading below 50 indicates contraction.
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