Mr Lim Hng Kiang at the Opening Ceremony of Tate & Lyle’s Sucralose Manufacturing Plant

SPEECH BY MR LIM HNG KIANG, MINISTER FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF TATE & LYLE’S SUCRALOSE MANUFACTURIN PLANT ON THURSDAY, 26 APRIL 2007, 10.15 AM, ON JURONG ISLAND

Mr Iain Ferguson, Chief Executive, Tate & Lyle,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

I am happy to join you this morning, at the opening of Tate & Lyle’s SPLENDA® Sucralose manufacturing plant.

Tate & Lyle’s Only Sucralose Manufacturing Plant Outside of the USA

This plant is Tate & Lyle’s only Sucralose manufacturing plant outside of the USA. SPLENDA® Sucralose is 600 times sweeter than sugar and yet boasts zero calories. I can imagine the enormous effort, innovation and knowledge involved in developing such a product. It is an excellent example of the kind of knowledge-intensive and high value-added activities that Singapore is encouraging to be sited here, and it complements the Singapore Economic Development Board’s plans to grow the specialty ingredients industry. This world-scale plant shows that Singapore has the right ingredients to attract world-class players.

Over the last 5 years, from 2000 to 2005, the specialty ingredients industry in Singapore has grown at a compounded annual growth rate of 15% in terms of manufacturing output, and at 17% in terms of value-added. Specialty ingredients are an integral part of end-consumer products such as food and beverages, and personal care products. Developing the specialty ingredients industry contributes to the Singapore Economic Development Board’s larger effort of growing the Consumer industry in Singapore.

The Consumer Industry is Poised for Growth

We anticipate the Consumer industry to continue to grow, riding on Asia’s strong economic growth. With the growing affluence in the region, we are seeing more sophisticated consumer demands. This includes higher expectations of quality, taste, nutrition, health and wellness. This spells exciting opportunities for many of the leading specialty ingredients companies based in Singapore such as Givaudan, International Flavors & Fragrances, Croda and Danisco.

We are pleased to have forged strong partnerships with these companies who see Singapore as a strategic base to address the burgeoning Asian markets. We will continue to work on the key areas which we believe will be critical to the success of companies in this industry.

Singapore has the Critical Factors for Success in the Consumer Industry

First, in the area of trust, Singapore places great emphasis on putting in place the necessary legislative infrastructure to protect companies’ innovations and proprietary technologies. We strive to enhance the robustness of our intellectual property protection regime. I understand that Tate & Lyle holds over 30 patents for the manufacturing process for SPLENDA® Sucralose. So, this plant speaks volume about the trust you have in Singapore and our reputation as a secure location for knowledge-intensive manufacturing.

Second, Singapore continues to upgrade its capabilities in manufacturing and in science and technology. Manpower is a key resource of Singapore which we are committed to train and continuously upgrade. The Chemical Process Technology Centre on Jurong Island trains process technicians and puts us in good stead for sophisticated manufacturing. Our investment in the Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences is also paying off as we see an increase in R&D activities within the industry. We will continue to work directly with companies on specific needs. As in the case of Tate & Lyle, the key members of the Singapore plant received technical training from the parent plant in USA.I understand that moving forward, the Singapore plant will be manned by an expert local team which includes chemists, engineers and technical specialists. The local team will contribute to Tate & Lyle’s global competitiveness by improving the manufacturing processes and developing new applications for the products.

Third, companies can leverage on Singapore’s connectivity as a strategic base to spearhead growth not only in the Asia Pacific, but also globally. We will continue to work hard to improve our logistics infrastructure and tariff preferences under our Free Trade Agreements in order to facilitate further access to growing markets. We understand that Tate & Lyle’s intention is to export products from this Singapore plant to geographies beyond the Asia Pacific.

Conclusion

In conclusion, let me congratulate the management and staff of Tate & Lyle on the opening of your plant. Today marks a new milestone in the development of Singapore’s Consumer industry. We see a long and fulfilling partnership between Tate & Lyle and Singapore. May I wish you “sweet success” in your endeavors.

Thank you.