East Coast Plan unveiled

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Heng Swee Keat​

5 d ·

Avatar fans will instantly recognise the eye of the Na’vi. This is another immersive room with interactive displays and clips of the film.

(MCI Photo by Fyrol)

 

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Heng Swee Keat​

5 d ·

A big thank you to everyone who made this collaboration possible! Your passion and excitement for this project came through throughout the visit. I enjoyed myself and I’m sure other visitors will do so! Congratulations once again!

(MCI Photo by Fyrol)

 

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HSK spent an evening with the Swiss community.

Heng Swee Keat​

6 d ·
Spent an evening with the Swiss community at the SwissCham Singapore Gala Dinner yesterday.
The first Swiss traders came to Singapore in the late 1830s, and the Swiss Chambers was set up more than 150 years ago. Today there are 400 Swiss companies in Singapore in many diverse areas.
As small innovative advanced economies, Switzerland and Singapore are also doing more to strengthen interlinkages, including in innovation.
Working together, Switzerland and Singapore co-organised the inaugural Point Zero Forum in Zurich this June, which we started to drive meaningful global change through FinTech.
Our two countries will be collaborating once again to organise the 2023 edition of PZF, which will be held from 26 to 28 June.
I look forward to co-launching the event in Zurich and to meeting Swiss companies and leaders there.

 

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HSK was happy to meet a good friend.

Heng Swee Keat​

4 d ·
Very happy to meet a good friend, PRC Vice Premier Han Zheng, in Singapore. Pleased to host him on his first overseas visit since the pandemic. After two years of videoconferencing, it was good to reconnect in-person.
We reaffirmed the excellent state of our bilateral relations and co-chaired the 18th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation, and ushered in a bumper crop of 19 deliverables, which is impressive not just in quantity, but also quality. This reflects the hard work by our officials and their ability to partner each other on our common needs and priorities.
This year’s deliverables cut across three broad themes — green, digital and connectivity. Our cooperation has not only benefitted our two countries, but also the region.
My sincere appreciation to Vice Premier Han Zheng for a meaningful and substantive meeting. The pandemic has been challenging for all countries. As co-chair of the JCBC, Vice Premier Han has been a steadfast partner in advancing Singapore-China relations.
I will be hosting him to dinner and showing him our city skyline. I look forward to continuing our discussions then.
(PMO Video by Alex Qiu)

 

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HSK hosted PRC Vice Premier Han Zheng to dinner.

Heng Swee Keat​

3 d ·
Hosted PRC Vice Premier Han Zheng to dinner last night after our meeting, and showed him Singapore’s night time cityscape.
Happy to be able to reciprocate the warm hospitality that Vice Premier Han showed to the Singapore delegation when we were in Chongqing in 2019.
I wish Vice Premier Han and his delegation a fruitful visit here and I look forward to further deepening our ties with China.
(MCI Photo by Terence Tan)

 

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HSK was happy to share some thoughts.

Heng Swee Keat​

2 d ·
Cost, accessibility and quality.
This is what some have called the “iron triangle” of healthcare, as it is a challenge for any society to balance all three outcomes. The key to overcoming the “iron triangle” is innovation. I was happy to share some thoughts for the CHI - Centre for Healthcare Innovation conference this morning, on how we can achieve greater impact in healthcare innovation.
We will have to innovate at the systems level by shifting healthcare towards health, and HealthierSG is a major national effort in this regard. We will also have to use technology to transform the healthcare sector. An innovative workplace culture will also be critical for innovation to take place throughout the healthcare system.
Collaboration will be key in harnessing the potential of innovation. I look forward to more of our institutions working together, and with overseas partners, to advance healthcare innovation for the benefit of all our peoples.

 

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HSK attended an East Coast #ForwardSG conversation.

Heng Swee Keat​

1 d ·
Attended an East Coast #ForwardSG conversation last weekend.
This was the first such event that has been held in the East Coast since this year-long nationwide exercise to refresh Singapore’s social compact was launched in June.
I thank everyone who took part and contributed their views. We had a good mix of residents who raised many useful ideas and viewpoints — on how to better care for our seniors, how we could equip and empower our youths with the right skills for the future, and how to foster a more sustainable way of life.
Our next step is to distill these ideas to policies and action. Let us put our hearts and minds together to co-create solutions to achieve a future that we have envisioned for ourselves and for future generations.
I hope that more of you and especially our youths, will come forward to join us for future conversations!
#EastCoastConversation
#VibrantEastCoast

 

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HSK does not take the support of Singaporeans for granted.

Heng Swee Keat is with Gan Kim Yong and
7 others
.​

1 d ·
The People's Action Party held its biennial Party Conference earlier today to elect its leadership for the next two years. Glad to see so many activists under one roof. We thanked all of them for their hard work and contributions, and presented awards to 421 activists for their dedication and sacrifices.
I was honoured to be re-elected to the Central Executive Committee, at a time when the Party is strengthening and renewing its base and leadership for the next elections.
The next GE will be a very tough fight. It’s not enough to tackle difficult issues and implement policies well, we must also win the political contestation.
We do not take the support of Singaporeans for granted. By working together with all party activists and with our people, we have what it takes to win the confidence and trust of Singaporeans.
DPM Lawrence Wong also gave his maiden Party Conference speech this year, where he shared his reflections on Forward Singapore as it enters its fifth month.
We seek your continued support as we work together with you to refresh our social compact so that we can be stronger together with opportunities for all.

 

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Heng Swee Keat​

1 d ·


— with Masagos Zulkifli.

 

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Heng Swee Keat​

2 d ·


— with Lawrence Wong.

 

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Heng Swee Keat​

2 d ·


— with Lee Hsien Loong.

 

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Heng Swee Keat​

2 d ·


— with Gan Kim Yong and
2 others

 

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HSK supports GST increase, in fact he first announced it.

Heng Swee Keat​

1 d ·
The GST increase is some years in the making, and it shows how we take a long-term view to build a stronger and more caring Singapore.
This move will provide us with additional resources to fund our growing healthcare needs, take better care of our seniors, and uplift lower-income families.
I first announced the rate hike in 2018, and Parliament debated and approved the legislative changes yesterday for the rate hike to take effect next year.
Given higher inflation, the overall package to offset additional GST expenses for households will increase from the initial $6B to $8B.
For the majority of households, it is equivalent to not paying higher GST for five years. For lower-income households, we are effectively delaying the GST hike for around 10 years.
Higher-income households, tourists and foreigners based in Singapore will bear the fuller impact.
Tax increase is always difficult, and there is no good timing. But the GST increase will put us in a better position to fund our common aspirations and to build a fairer and more inclusive Singapore.

 

[jw5]

HSK was glad to be at the CIFA Regional Symposium and MSF Singapore Asian Family Conference.

Heng Swee Keat is with Masagos Zulkifli and Sun Xueling.​

1 d ·
2022 has been dedicated to Celebrating SG Families, hence my colourful profile photo frame!
In Singapore, families are at the heart of our social compact. Over the years, we have provided strong support for our families — whether in housing, education, or healthcare.
But the work continues. This morning, I was glad to be at the CIFA Regional Symposium and MSF Singapore Asian Family Conference to share more about our new national plan for families: “A Singapore Made for Families 2025”. This new plan sets out how we will further strengthen our families — by nurturing a more conducive culture that celebrates families, by empowering families through all stages of life, and by uplifting families with different needs. It builds on what we have done so far, and requires a whole-of-society effort.
It is also the first time that these two conferences have been combined. This is an excellent initiative, and brings together a broader network of researchers and family practitioners from around the region to share ideas. Given our shared challenges, there is much that we can learn from one another.

 

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Heng Swee Keat​

2 d ·

A special orchid to commemorate this special occasion – Vancoanthe SG Families. This free-flowering orchid hybrid had been selected as its golden yellow, orange and pink colour palette is similar to the colour of the Year of Celebrating SG Families logo.

(MCI Photo by Liu Ying)
— with Masagos Zulkifli.

 

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Heng Swee Keat​

2 d ·

Interesting to hear the views of foreign leaders who are in town for the conference.

(MCI Photo by Liu Ying)
— with Masagos Zulkifli and Sun Xueling.

 

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Heng Swee Keat​

2 d ·

Good to catch up with our religious leaders. They play a key role in this whole-of-society effort to support and uplift our families.

(MCI Photo by Liu Ying)
— with Masagos Zulkifli and Sun Xueling.

 

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HSK was pleased to meet Andorran Minister of the Presidency, Economy, and Business Jordi Gallardo Fernández.

Heng Swee Keat​

2 d ·
It was my pleasure to meet Andorran Minister of the Presidency, Economy, and Business Jordi Gallardo Fernández, who is in Singapore to speak at the Global Sports Innovation Centre Summit APAC.
Like Singapore, Andorra is a small country. Andorra is best known for skiing. But it is also developing other parts of its economy, including the digital economy, finance, and e-sports.
We discussed the importance of upholding an open and rules-based multilateral system amidst a much more complex world. We also discussed how we can strengthen collaboration between our countries.
This is the first time that Minister Jordi is in Singapore. I hope he enjoys our local delights and tourist spots as much as the world enjoys the ski slopes of Andorra.
(MCI Photo by Liu Ying)

 

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from straitstimes.com:

New national plan launched to support, uplift S’pore families at different stages of life​

Those starting and raising families will also benefit from new parent support groups led by Families for Life. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Syarafana Shafeeq

PUBLISHED

8 NOV 2022, 3:00 PM SGT

FacebookTwitter

SINGAPORE - Families and those looking to start a family here can look forward to more help in the form of parent support groups, as well as marriage programmes and counselling, as part of a national plan to assist them through challenging times.
Launched on Tuesday, A Singapore Made For Families 2025 will also help improve access to adoption-related matters through an upcoming portal in 2025, and support ageing families through a new grandparenting programme and mediation support.
Support for divorced families will also be ramped up, with the upcoming expansion of child support programmes and a Mandatory Co-Parenting Programme for all divorcing couples with underage children.

The national plan was launched by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, who said it reflects a whole-of-society effort.
Mr Heng said the plan will strengthen families by focusing on three areas: culture, empowerment and upliftment.
He added that nurturing a culture that celebrates and supports families is important, and employers can play a big role in this area.


Speaking at the Consortium of Institutes on Family in the Asian Region (CIFA) Regional Symposium and Ministry of Social and Family Development’s (MSF) Asian Family Conference 2022 at the Hilton Singapore Orchard, Mr Heng said: “Creating a supportive and flexible environment for their workers to achieve work-life harmony is not just pro-family, it is also pro-business. Workers who are able to balance their work and family are able to better contribute at work.”


Family members can also make a difference by setting aside time to listen to one another or committing to family meal times.
Mr Heng called on fathers to step up too, noting that fathers today are more involved in their children’s lives compared with previous generations.
“I was very busy when my children were growing up, and it was difficult to balance work and family. But I am glad I set aside protected time for them,” said Mr Heng, who has one son and one daughter.

“But, with norms and cultures shifting, it is heartening to see fathers today spending more quality time with their children, helping out in the house and enjoying the journey of parenting.”
He said empowerment is important as well, and while there is strong support in place for young couples and families, ageing families must also be empowered as society ages.
Mr Heng said counselling and mediation support services at FAM@Family Service Centres will be expanded to ageing families from 2023, to help them cope with the potential stresses of ageing on marriages or family relationships.
Broadened support will be provided for families with different needs, such as lower-income families, single parents and families with those with disabilities.
“For such families, we will provide more upstream and integrated support to address their challenges and unique circumstances,” said Mr Heng.

The three-day conference, which started on Tuesday, was also attended by Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli, Minister of State for Social and Family Development and Home Affairs Sun Xueling, as well as ministers and speakers from Brunei, Cambodia and Indonesia.
The new national plan for families, in line with MSF’s Year of Celebrating SG Families, includes a new solemnisation site at the Family Zone@Gardens by the Bay from Nov 26 and a redeveloped Registries of Civil and Muslim Marriages building by 2030.
Those starting and raising families will also benefit from new parent support groups, and marriage and parenting programmes in neighbourhoods led by Families for Life.
A child-minding service by charity Daughters of Tomorrow has also been piloted in Punggol and Bedok for working parents who require caregiving services after the operating hours of childcare centres.
Mr Heng said families are at the heart of the social compact in Singapore, as well as the bedrock of societies around the world, and they must be empowered for society to remain cohesive and strong.
“They are our first line of care and support when we face challenges. It is also the family with whom we share our joys.
“The family is the basic building block of society,” he said.
“But the bonds that are formed extend beyond our immediate family to the concentric circles of relationships – the extended family, circle of friends, neighbours, acquaintances, the local community and, beyond that, the broader community.”
Mr Heng added: “By strengthening these concentric circles of relationships and care, we can build strong and cohesive communities in our society and around the world.”
A memorandum of understanding was also signed at the conference between MSF and its Indonesian counterpart, the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection of the Republic of Indonesia.
It will focus on women empowerment, child protection and family development, and will see the two ministries share best practices, conduct work attachments, and participate in training programmes conducted by both.

 

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HSK joined the Singapore Business Federation in celebrating 20.20.20.

Heng Swee Keat​

21 h ·
Today is 11.11. But I joined the Singapore Business Federation in celebrating 20.20.20 — launching their 20 Conversations publication featuring 20 business leaders, to commemorate their 20th anniversary.
The business leaders featured come from different fields. And I hope that their leadership journeys can inspire our business community to innovate more and do better.
Over the past two decades, SBF has grown from strength to strength. It now represents more than 27,000 companies and business chambers. SBF is a key partner of our economic transformation journey.
We can’t predict the future with 20/20 vision. But under the leadership of Ming Yan and his team, I am confident SBF will play an even greater role in reshaping our future economy in time to come.