East Coast Plan unveiled

[jw5]

HSK wants to build a vibrant economy with opportunities for all.

Heng Swee Keat​

3 d ·
Today, our economic agencies and the National Research Foundation Singapore released their Addenda to the President’s Address. These chart their priorities and plans for the remaining term of government.
Rapid developments in science and technology will reshape the world — whether it is generative AI like ChatGPT, mRNA technology, additive manufacturing, or many others. In my work with the NRF and Future Economy Council, I have visited many companies and organisations, and witnessed how they are riding the new waves of innovation.
We will redouble our efforts to seize these new opportunities, with the refreshed Industry Transformation Maps now being implemented. One key aspect is to bring together the R&D and innovation work in our IHLs, research institutes, and industry. To be a Global-Asia node, it is also critical that we plug into global networks, and expand our international collaborations.
Ultimately, building a stronger economy is about people. We will continue to do all we can to support Singaporeans in developing to their fullest potential, while at the same time remaining open to talent who can contribute. This way, we can build a vibrant economy with opportunities for all.

 

[jw5]

HSK celebrated a belated Easter with families from Lucky Heights.

Heng Swee Keat​

4 h ·
Celebrated a belated Easter with families from Lucky Heights yesterday!

Our young ones had fun at the bouncy castle, face painting booths and the egg hunt activities! It was heartwarming to see families and neighbours having fun, and creating cherished memories together.
My thanks to Lucky Heights NC for organising this wonderful event, and making Bedok a vibrant home for our residents!

 

[jw5]

HSK went to a Bazaar.

Heng Swee Keat is with Gan Siow Huang 颜晓芳 and
2 others
.​

2 d ·
Was at Wisma Geylang Serai's Ramadan Bazaar with Fahmi Aliman and Gan Siow Huang 颜晓芳 a few days ago. It was wonderful to share the joy and excitement of stallholders and visitors, as they prepare for the upcoming celebrations. There are many interesting stalls at this year’s bazaar, from traditional goods to home-based businesses selling innovative products, and of course many tasty food items!
The bazaar will be open until 22 April, so do swing by with your friends and family to support our stallholders and experience the festive atmosphere!
#RayaGemilang

 

[jw5]

Heng Swee Keat​

3 d ·

Songkok Kamil is a mainstay at the Ramadan Bazaar, and has been operating since 1970! The stall sells songkok (headgear for Muslim men), kain samping (cloth worn from the waist to the knees), and sampul duit raya (money packet envelopes).

(MCI Photo by Fyrol)
— with Gan Siow Huang 颜晓芳 and Fahmi Aliman.

 

[jw5]

Heng Swee Keat​

4 d ·

Had a nice chat with Mr Salim, who has been selling baju kurung for years. Impressed by the variety of designs and colours available.

(MCI Photo by Fyrol)
— with Gan Siow Huang 颜晓芳 and Fahmi Aliman.

 

[jw5]

Heng Swee Keat​

5 d ·

It’s the first time Ms Carlia is setting up a booth at the Geylang Serai Bazaar to sell home décor, and she is donating a portion of her sales to charity to support underprivileged children. A wonderful and thoughtful act that reflects the spirit of Ramadan!

Bumped into Masagos Zulkifli who was also visiting the bazaar!

 

[jw5]

Heng Swee Keat​

6 d ·

Mdm Putri Suzana’s stall sells beautiful carpets and table cloths, which are all handmade in Syria!

(MCI Photo by Fyrol)

 

[jw5]

HSK wishes his Muslim friends a joyful weekend celebrating with their families and loved ones.

Heng Swee Keat is with Jessica Tan Soon Neo and
3 others
.​

7 h ·
Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri kepada semua umat Islam di Singapura!
Dropped by Masjid Al-Ansar this morning to greet congregants who were at the mosque for their Hari Raya prayers. Delighted to see everyone in good spirits, now that we can gather in large groups for prayers and celebrations. Many thanks to the volunteers and staff for working hard to keep everyone safe!
Wishing our Muslim friends a joyful weekend celebrating with your families and loved ones!

 

[jw5]

Heng Swee Keat​

1 d ·

Greeting congregants who were just done with their morning prayers at Masjid Al-Ansar.

 

[jw5]

Heng Swee Keat​

2 d ·

Happy to see everyone in good spirits, enjoying the large gatherings and celebrations such as makan sessions after prayers, for the first time again in three years! We took many photos to celebrate this milestone.

 

[jw5]

Heng Swee Keat​

3 d ·

With Chairman Abdul Rahman Bakar (on my right) and the dedicated staff and volunteers of Masjid Al-Ansar. Thank you for having us!
— with Tan Kiat How and
3 others

 

[jw5]

HSK visits Osaka.

Heng Swee Keat is in Osaka, Japan 大阪.​

2 d ·
Ohayo gozaimasu! Good morning!
Arrived in Osaka last night for a working visit to Japan. Will be meeting government officials and business leaders, and visiting leading research institutions here. Also hope to meet with some of our overseas Singaporeans living and working in Japan. Looking forward to productive meetings and new insights in the week ahead!
(MCI Photo by Ngau Kai Yan)

 

[jw5]

HSK visits Tokyo.

Heng Swee Keat​

2 d ·
Onwards to Tokyo via the shinkansen (bullet train) this morning.
Called on Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu. We reaffirmed the excellent relations between Singapore and Japan, and welcomed closer engagements and cooperation in areas such as digitalisation, sustainability, R&D and innovation.
Also happy to catch up with my old friend Kono Taro 河野太郎, Minister for Digital Affairs and Chair of the Japan-Singapore Parliamentary Friendship League over dinner. We had a good time exchanging views on developments in our countries and how we can strengthen digital economy cooperation to benefit our businesses and peoples.
Looking forward to meeting business leaders and visiting leading research institutions over the next few days!
Singapore Embassy in Tokyo

 

[jw5]

Heng Swee Keat​

3 d ·

Caught up with some work during the smooth ride on the shinkansen from Osaka to Tokyo this morning. The two cities are separated by a distance of approximately 500 km, but the journey only took less than 2.5 hours.

(MCI Photo by Ngau Kai Yan)

 

[jw5]

Heng Swee Keat​

4 d ·

Chanced upon the rare Doctor Yellow Shinkansen! The train is dispatched to diagnose problems with the track and overhead wires. It’s painted yellow to make it more visible at night.

Yellow also symbolises happiness in Japan, and many Japanese locals believe that a rare sighting of the train makes you happy and brings good fortune!

(MCI Photos by Ngau Kai Yan)

 

[jw5]

Heng Swee Keat​

5 d ·

Met with Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno Hirokazu to reaffirm the relations between our countries.

(MCI Photo by Ngau Kai Yan)

 

[jw5]

Heng Swee Keat​

6 d ·

Also met with Minister for Digital Affairs and Chair of the Japan-Singapore Parliamentary Friendship League Kono Taro to catch up over dinner. I gave him a painting of Lau Pa Sat which he likes to frequent!

(MCI Photo by Ngau Kai Yan)

 

[jw5]

HSK wishes everyone Happy May Day!

Heng Swee Keat​

2 h ·
Happy May Day!
DPM Lawrence Wong addressed tripartite partners at the May Day Rally this morning, and reiterated how tripartism remains our greatest competitive advantage.
Amid global economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, the government is more committed than ever to supporting our workers and strengthening our social compact. We must push ahead with our industry transformation plans, strengthen our R&D ecosystem, and deepen our investment in our people, to equip them with the necessary skills to seize opportunities throughout their working lives.
Through tripartism and the symbiotic relationship between NTUC Singapore, employers and the People's Action Party, we can and we will secure a brighter future for Singapore.
My thanks to our brothers and sisters in the Labour Movement for their unwavering dedication and support as we chart our way forward together!
You can watch the full Rally here: https://www.facebook.com/NTUCSingapore/videos/943789453708123

 

[jw5]

HSK visited Shimano's factory.

Heng Swee Keat​

5 d ·
Avid cyclists would be familiar with Shimano-Road, which produces high-quality cycling components. Had the pleasure of visiting their Intelligent Factory at their headquarters in Sakai, Osaka Prefecture earlier this week, to learn about their manufacturing process. Shimano’s commitment to R&D, innovation and sustainability bear useful lessons for Singapore as we seek to grow our manufacturing sector by 50% under our Manufacturing 2030 plan.
Had good takeaways from my meetings with business leaders and members of the Keidanren (Japan Business Federation). We discussed ways to strengthen business and people-to-people ties between Japan and Singapore. There are many well-established Japanese companies in Singapore today, and we hope to welcome more of them to use Singapore as a base for accessing opportunities in ASEAN and the region.

 

[jw5]

Heng Swee Keat​

6 d ·

Shimano Inc. Chairman Shimano Yozo explaining the various bicycle components that they produce.

(MCI Photo by Ngau Kai Yan)
— with Shimano-Road.