SPEECH BY MR LEE YI SHYAN
MINISTER
OF STATE FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY
AT THE
WINCOR NIXDORF 25TH ANNIVERSARY
EVENT
AT WINCOR
NIXDORF BUILDING, KALLANG
SECTOR
ON 14
SEPTEMBER 2007,
4.30PM
Mr Eckard Heidloff, President and CEO, Wincor Nixdorf AG,
Ms Christiana
Markert, Deputy Chief of
Mission
Embassy of the
Federal Republic of Germany,
Singapore
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and
Gentlemen
Good
afternoon
Introduction
I am pleased to join you this afternoon to mark Wincor Nixdorf’s
25th anniversary in Singapore.
A quarter of a century is a significant milestone especially in the
world of Internet time.
It is therefore heartening to note that Wincor Nixdorf’s
partnership with Singapore has not only lasted all these years but
has also grown to what it is today. As the Asia Pacific
headquarters and a key manufacturing site for Wincor Nixdorf, the
Singapore operation today has responsibilities across the entire
value
chain.
Manufacturing – key pillar of the
Singapore
economy
Manufacturing remains a key pillar of
Singapore’s economy, contributing about 28 per cent to our GDP last
year. It is also estimated that Singapore made almost 50 per cent
of the world’s point-of-sales systems in 2005. Wincor Nixdorf,
being one of the world’s top three point-of-sales systems
companies, contributes significantly to this favourable
statistic.
We recognise that in the
manufacturing of high-mix products such as point-of-sales systems,
logistics connectivity is a key value proposition. Suppliers need
to be able to respond quickly to customised orders. Logistics
providers are required to handle increased volumes with shorter
turnaround times. Singapore is able to meet these
challenges.
Companies, like Wincor Nixdorf,
capitalise on Singapore’s robust logistics infrastructure to
enhance their production efficiencies. Singapore’s manufacturing
know-how, coupled with a highly-skilled workforce, allows companies
to streamline their production lines and optimise their
inventories.This, in turn, translates into cost and time savings
for the
companies.
Besides point-of-sales systems,
Singapore also commands global leadership positions in the
manufacture of a number of other products such as hard disk drives,
inkjet cartridges and jack-up rigs. We will continue to leverage on
our strengths to maintain manufacturing at around a quarter of our
GDP.
Singapore – a trusted e-transaction
hub
Wincor Nixdorf
is a significant player in Singapore’s thriving e-transaction
sector.The sector encompasses industries such as Point-of Sales systems,
Automated Teller Machines, Self-service terminals and Smart Payment
Cards.
Besides Wincor Nixdorf, many of the
world’s leading companies such as Gemalto and VeriFone have set up
bases in Singapore to carry out strategic functions. Together, the
e-transaction sector employs approximately 3,500 people here. Many
of the companies are drawn here by Singapore’s reputation as a
trusted hub. Indeed, trust provides the basis for our continued
competitiveness.
We
recognise the need to constantly enhance our long-term
competitiveness. To this end, the EDB will continue to develop
education and manpower training programs to ensure a highly skilled
workforce with strong engineering competence. Examples of manpower
programs include the Company Training Scheme and the Specialist
Manpower Program. These programs help companies train engineers and
professionals in new technologies and capabilities, in anticipation
of future demand. By constantly upgrading our pool of expertise, we
position Singapore for the
future.
Conclusion
Wincor Nixdorf’s continued
investments and expansion in Singapore is a strong vote of
confidence in Singapore. We are proud of this
partnership.
In conclusion, may I express my
heartfelt thanks to Wincor Nixdorf for their commitment to
Singapore and our heartiest congratulations to their outstanding
achievements in the past 25
years.
Thank you and all the best
to your next 25
years.