<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=452 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width=452 colSpan=2>Published October 18, 2008
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=452 colSpan=2>PM: Govt R&D on track
Programme's long-term perspective will not be derailed by recession
By AMIT ROY CHOUDHURY
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PRIME Minister Lee Hsien Loong said yesterday that Singapore had gone into recession and the country could expect slower growth next year.
<TABLE class=picBoxL cellSpacing=2 width=100 align=left><TBODY><TR><TD>
</TD></TR><TR class=caption><TD>GOING HIGH TECH
PM Lee electronically dotting the eye of a Chinese robotic lion at the opening of Fusionopolis yesterday as Mr Lim watches; the complex will be Singapore's icon for R&D in interactive media, physical sciences, engineering and technology</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>He was speaking at the opening of Fusionopolis, the nation's second major research and development (R&D) hub.
The first, Biopolis, was opened five years ago. Fusionopolis and Biopolis are the anchors of the one-north development, which is designed as an integrated innovation ecosystem.
Mr Lee said that the current global financial turmoil has clouded Singapore's economic outlook. 'Our economy has gone into recession. We must expect slower growth and greater uncertainties at least over the next year and maybe even longer.'
Mr Lee, however, noted that the government's R&D programme, which takes a longer term perspective, will proceed despite these immediate ups and downs.
He said that the government has made major investments in R&D in order to foster Singapore's economic growth and long-term competitiveness.
'Last year, we spent 2.6 per cent of our GDP (gross domestic product) on R&D expenditure, putting us on track to achieving our target of 3 per cent by 2010,' Mr Lee noted.
He added that today, A*Star (Agency for Science, Technology and Research) employs more than 2,500 researchers from over 50 different countries.
'Foreign researchers supplement our local talent base, and enhance the diversity of expertise, experience and ideas in Singapore.'
Earlier, giving more information about R&D investment numbers, A*Star chairman Lim Chuan Poh said that Singapore recorded the highest gross domestic expenditure in R&D (GERD) of $6.3 billion in 2007, based on the preliminary results of the country's national R&D survey, conducted by A*Star.
The amount was 26 per cent higher than the 2006 GERD, and double the $3 billion recorded in 2000.
As a result, GERD as a percentage of GDP rose to 2.61 per cent in 2007, up from 2.31 per cent in 2006 and 1.88 per cent in 2000. Two-thirds of this expenditure comes from the private sector.
Mr Lee said that R&D is something which the country has pursued for some time. 'Our public research institutions (RIs) are the bridge that translates public R&D into useful outcomes for the economy and society,' he added. This helps local companies sustain their competitive edge.
PM Lee noted that till now, 13 companies have decided to move into Fusionopolis to join the three RIs already there. They belong to the IT and infocomm, electronics and energy sectors, and include names like Vestas Technology R&D, Thales Technology Centre and Electronic Arts.
Giving an example of new frontier research that will be undertaken at Fusionopolis, the PM cited the example of the Human Sixth Sense Program, which will study how humans can interact with the digital world as seamlessly as they would with their five natural senses.
This is a five-year programme undertaken by the Advanced Digital Sciences Centre, to be set up by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in Fusionopolis early next year.
According to Mr Lim, when fully completed, Fusionopolis will be a 30 ha complex. It will be developed over six phases and will be Singapore's icon for R&D in interactive media, physical sciences, engineering and technology.
Altogether, 800 scientists, engineers and game developers, will be employed under Phase One of Fusionopolis. This will increase to 2,400 by 2012 when the second phase is ready.
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=452 colSpan=2>PM: Govt R&D on track
Programme's long-term perspective will not be derailed by recession
By AMIT ROY CHOUDHURY
<TABLE class=storyLinks cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=1 width=136 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR class=font10><TD align=right width=20>
</TD><TD>Email this article</TD></TR><TR class=font10><TD align=right width=20>
</TD><TD>Print article </TD></TR><TR class=font10><TD align=right width=20>
</TD><TD>Feedback</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>PRIME Minister Lee Hsien Loong said yesterday that Singapore had gone into recession and the country could expect slower growth next year.
<TABLE class=picBoxL cellSpacing=2 width=100 align=left><TBODY><TR><TD>
</TD></TR><TR class=caption><TD>GOING HIGH TECHPM Lee electronically dotting the eye of a Chinese robotic lion at the opening of Fusionopolis yesterday as Mr Lim watches; the complex will be Singapore's icon for R&D in interactive media, physical sciences, engineering and technology</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>He was speaking at the opening of Fusionopolis, the nation's second major research and development (R&D) hub.
The first, Biopolis, was opened five years ago. Fusionopolis and Biopolis are the anchors of the one-north development, which is designed as an integrated innovation ecosystem.
Mr Lee said that the current global financial turmoil has clouded Singapore's economic outlook. 'Our economy has gone into recession. We must expect slower growth and greater uncertainties at least over the next year and maybe even longer.'
Mr Lee, however, noted that the government's R&D programme, which takes a longer term perspective, will proceed despite these immediate ups and downs.
He said that the government has made major investments in R&D in order to foster Singapore's economic growth and long-term competitiveness.
'Last year, we spent 2.6 per cent of our GDP (gross domestic product) on R&D expenditure, putting us on track to achieving our target of 3 per cent by 2010,' Mr Lee noted.
He added that today, A*Star (Agency for Science, Technology and Research) employs more than 2,500 researchers from over 50 different countries.
'Foreign researchers supplement our local talent base, and enhance the diversity of expertise, experience and ideas in Singapore.'
Earlier, giving more information about R&D investment numbers, A*Star chairman Lim Chuan Poh said that Singapore recorded the highest gross domestic expenditure in R&D (GERD) of $6.3 billion in 2007, based on the preliminary results of the country's national R&D survey, conducted by A*Star.
The amount was 26 per cent higher than the 2006 GERD, and double the $3 billion recorded in 2000.
As a result, GERD as a percentage of GDP rose to 2.61 per cent in 2007, up from 2.31 per cent in 2006 and 1.88 per cent in 2000. Two-thirds of this expenditure comes from the private sector.
Mr Lee said that R&D is something which the country has pursued for some time. 'Our public research institutions (RIs) are the bridge that translates public R&D into useful outcomes for the economy and society,' he added. This helps local companies sustain their competitive edge.
PM Lee noted that till now, 13 companies have decided to move into Fusionopolis to join the three RIs already there. They belong to the IT and infocomm, electronics and energy sectors, and include names like Vestas Technology R&D, Thales Technology Centre and Electronic Arts.
Giving an example of new frontier research that will be undertaken at Fusionopolis, the PM cited the example of the Human Sixth Sense Program, which will study how humans can interact with the digital world as seamlessly as they would with their five natural senses.
This is a five-year programme undertaken by the Advanced Digital Sciences Centre, to be set up by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in Fusionopolis early next year.
According to Mr Lim, when fully completed, Fusionopolis will be a 30 ha complex. It will be developed over six phases and will be Singapore's icon for R&D in interactive media, physical sciences, engineering and technology.
Altogether, 800 scientists, engineers and game developers, will be employed under Phase One of Fusionopolis. This will increase to 2,400 by 2012 when the second phase is ready.
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