Looks like Tharman is going to give a similar speech again like the one below to promote CECA after his ascension on 2nd Sep.
Song Boh 61%
SPEECH BY MR THARMAN SHANMUGARATNAM, ACTING MINISTER FOR EDUCATION, AT THE SINGAPORE INDIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY?S BOOK LAUNCH AND ANNUAL RECEPTION AT THE GRAND HYATT SINGAPORE ON WEDNESDAY, 14 JANUARY 2004, AT 7.30 PM, 14 JANUARY 2004, 7.30 PM
Your Excellencies
Mr Shabbir H Hassanbhai, Chairman, SICCI
Board of Directors and Management of SICCI
Ladies and Gentlemen
INTRODUCTION
1 It gives me great pleasure to be here tonight at the launch of the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SICCI)�s book entitled �Singapore Indian Entrepreneurs � Dreams to Reality�.
INDIAN BUSINESSES IN SINGAPORE
2 When Raffles established Singapore as Crown Colony in 1819, the Indians were quick to set up trading and business houses here. Indian traders from places stretching from Gujarat to Cochin saw Singapore as a congenial trading post. They capitalised on their long-standing ties with the region that stretched over centuries. They also brought to Singapore a spirit of enterprise, and their long-established networks with the Arabs and Europeans.
3 Indian traders thereby helped make Singapore a jewel in the east. Many stayed on, raised families here, and helped enrich community life. Their legacies are still evident in the Singapore community today, in business and in our religious and cultural institutions.
4 Almost two centuries later, Indian businesses are now playing a new an increasing role in making Singapore a vibrant, global centre of business. They include many new businesses run by self-made individuals, with either themselves or their forefathers having arrived in Singapore with little in hand over the last 80-100 years. Some are even newer blood, part of the new wave of professional Indian immigrants that have come to our shores over the last decade or two.
5 Together, Indian businesses are making their mark in diverse sectors of the Singapore economy. While the trading community remains significant, many have ventured into non-traditional and service sectors like the logistics, IT, banking and finance industries. Some are establishing a reputation in high-tech manufacturing and research-based enterprises. The Indian business community is also spearheading Singapore�s extension into new international markets, and setting up regional operations here.
6 The new volume �Singapore Indian Entrepreneurs � Dreams to Reality� captures the diversity and vitality of Singapore Indian businesses and the path-setting ways of the men and women at their helm. Each is an inspiring story in his own right. Let me mention just a few examples, who typify the spirit of enterprise that is woven across all the stories. We read about how Mr T Chandroo, a kampong boy and son of an immigrant taxi driver, persevered and worked his way through a variety of jobs before setting up his own business. He now runs the largest Montessori education franchise in Singapore, and is expanding aggressively in the region. Mr Jagdev Singh Gill�s Royal Sporting House brought in the widely-popular Reebok brand of sportswear in 1987. It continues to be a trendsetter, now diversifying to fashion by bringing in high-quality, mid-priced international fashion labels like Zara and Mango.
7 Ms Kavita Thulasidas� Stylemart has brought a new range of style, fashion and flair to the traditional Indian clothing business. It counts among its customers not only Indians, but also Malays, Chinese and Caucasians. Mr Vijay Iyengar�s Agrocorp International has made its mark in the trading of agro-commodities such as pulses, beans, nuts and cereals. It has held its own in a highly competitive industry that is dominated by large multinational enterprises.
MORE OPPORTUNITIES AHEAD
8 For each of these current day success stories, there are many more, including those who made their mark in earlier years and some new, emerging business players who have yet to make it into the books. For Singapore to thrive in the decades ahead, we need more such examples of people who blaze a new path, or find new ways of staying competitive in existing business lines.
9 There will be no lack of opportunity. China, India and the ASEAN nations are opening up and growing faster than any other region in the world. India in particular is changing year by year, and booming. Growth in a bad year now means 5% in India. And certain cities are expanding at well above 10%, with a growing middle class that wants a global standard of living.
10 Singapore and India will soon be concluding their negotiations for a Closer Economic and Cooperation Agreement (CECA). When the CECA takes off, there will be a host of new opportunities available for both Singapore-based and Indian businesses.
11 The CECA will also add momentum to the expansion of ties between India and the region around us. New networks are emerging across Asia. It is in some respects the re-emergence of the old Asian network, between China, India and Southeast Asia, which dominated Asia and accounted for much of its prosperity for centuries. The new networks between China, India and Southeast Asia will define a new era of wealth creation. Singapore is well-positioned to play a key role in this new Asia, as a centre for trade, intellectual property management and finance. Our proximity, both in geography and culture, to each of these regions will give us great advantage.
ROLE OF SICCI
12 The SICCI plays a useful role in all of this. The Chambers has been revitalising itself to meet the needs of its members. Its focus now is to develop itself as a global organisation, affiliated to regional business organisations, to help local businesses reach out beyond our shores. Perhaps most importantly, given its members� growing interest in the Indian sub-continent, SICCI has taken the lead in keeping its members updated with the latest developments and opportunities in South Asia, through daily news circulars and by organising industry-specific seminars and trade missions.
CONCLUSION
13 On the occasion of its 80th anniversary, I congratulate the SICCI for its important role in promoting the interests of the Singapore Indian business community, and of Singapore. I also commend the Chamber for its timely publication profiling many of our outstanding entrepreneurs. I am sure that readers will find the stories inspiring and the lessons learnt valuable.
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