SMS S Iswaran's reply to Parliament Questions on the teething problems at the Integrated Resorts

Question No 428 of Notice Paper No 83 of 2010

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Madam Ho Geok Choo, Member of Parliament.

Question
To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry what lessons can be drawn from the teething problems at the Integrated Resorts so as to safeguard Singapore's reputation as a top hub for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE).

Answer
The opening of the Marina Bay Sands (MBS) Integrated Resort has added 69,000 sq. of exhibition and meeting space to the MICE industry in Singapore. When the phased opening of MBS has been completed, it will add 100,000 sq. and increase the amount of purpose-built exhibition and meeting space in Singapore by more than half.

It is not uncommon for projects of such a scale to encounter operational glitches when they commence operations. Nevertheless, it is regrettable that delegates at a recent conference found their experience at MBS to be unsatisfactory. I understand that MBS has taken the feedback of its clients into consideration and is already taking steps to address these issues.

Singapore’s reputation as a top city for MICE events is important to the government. But our reputation is not determined by a single conference. Rather, it is built over time, as a result of many factors that affect our organization as a city to provide the best value proposition to MICE organizers and delegates. This includes the accessibility to target markets for buyers and delegates, the presence of a pro-business environment and the overall appeal of the city to delegates and visitors.

Over the years, Singapore has developed sound fundamentals as a business destination and established a strong track record for successfully hosting many business events. Last year, the Union of International Associations (UIA) accorded Singapore the title of the world’s Top International Meeting City for the second consecutive year. Singapore has also been ranked as Asia’s top country and city for meetings for the last 25 years.

To put it in perspective, Singapore plays host to 6,000 business events annually, and accounted for more than 25% of the meetings held in Asia in 2008.Notable MICE events we have hosted in the past include the IMF-World Bank meetings in 2006 and the APEC Summit in 2009, as well as business events such as the World Dental Federation Congress of 2009.

As the lead Government agency supporting the MICE industry, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) works with local industry partners including associations and organizers to bid for international exhibitions and conventions.

Collectively, government agencies and the industry in Singapore have secured a robust pipeline of international business events for the next few years, and will continue to strive to maintain our standing as a global business events destination of choice.