Speech by Minister Gan Kim Yong at the Unveiling of the Expanded Siemens Advance Manufacturing Transformation Centre (AMTC)

Ambassador,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

1. Good afternoon.

2. I am very happy to join you today to celebrate the expansion of the Siemens Advance Manufacturing Transformation Centre (AMTC).

3. Siemens has been a key feature of Singapore’s manufacturing industry for more than a century now. The first Siemens office here was established back in 1908. Today, Siemens employs over 1,300 people in Singapore performing a range of activities, including regional headquarters and customer support functions.

4. The AMTC was first launched by Siemens in Singapore in September 2020, as a centre of excellence to train and support companies across Southeast Asia to adopt the latest Industry 4.0 technologies, and design advanced manufacturing plants. Last year, Siemens expanded the AMTC, reflecting its commitment to investing in the best possible environment and facilities for the centre.

Singapore’s Manufacturing 2030 Strategy

5. Advanced manufacturing is a key priority for Singapore. Earlier this year, we announced Singapore’s ‘Manufacturing 2030’ strategy, to be a global business, innovation, and talent hub for advanced manufacturing. Siemen’s AMTC is a valuable partner in our Manufacturing 2030 ambition. Industry 4.0 advanced manufacturing technologies, such as additive manufacturing and industrial internet-of-things, are changing the way products are designed, manufactured and delivered.

6. Siemens’ AMTC led an ecosystem of Industry 4.0 partners to develop and manufacture a medical-grade face shield designed by Tan Tock Seng Hospital using additive manufacturing. This was made possible by the AMTC sharing its knowledge and expertise with its partners.

Job Opportunities and Training

7. With Industry 4.0, many new and exciting job roles will be created in the manufacturing sector. We will need to continue to invest in talent development to ensure that our workers have the skills and expertise to harness new technologies and benefit from the opportunities arising from advanced manufacturing. The Government cannot do this alone – we need businesses to work together with us to ensure that training programmes are relevant to the industry.

8. Siemens has been one such valuable partner. I am heartened to learn that since September 2020, Siemens has trained close to 70 trainees for the SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways Programme in the AMTC, and Siemens intends to train around 50 more trainees in the expanded AMTC in 2022. This programme has been helpful to locals, especially those who were retrenched during the COVID-19 pandemic, by equipping them with new skills such as additive manufacturing. I look forward to continued partnership with Siemens in talent development, and I encourage more industry partners to partner us in conducting training programmes, so our manufacturing sector will have the talent it needs.

9. In a few years, I understand that Siemens will be moving its AMTC to Jurong Innovation District (JID), which aims to be an advanced manufacturing hub that is home to an ecosystem of research institutes, technology and training providers, and advanced manufacturers. This will bring together technology partners and industry players in the value chain, and put the AMTC in an even better position to support the industry.

Singapore-Germany relationship

10. I would like to take the opportunity today to reaffirm the close economic relationship between Germany and Singapore. Germany is Singapore’s largest goods trading partner from the EU, and our 4^th largest EU investor. There are more than 2,000 German companies in Singapore, across key sectors such as chemicals, engineering, and electronics.

11. Partnerships between Singaporean and German businesses are very important to us. Last year, Enterprise Singapore (ESG) and the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business (APA) signed an agreement to support enterprise development through the transformation in sectors of common interests. These include advanced manufacturing, digitalisation and innovation, medical technology and healthcare and the future of mobility. I hope that such platforms will lead to innovative ideas that will ultimately benefit businesses in both countries.

12. Germany was also one of the first two countries that we established a Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL), back in September. I am glad that there has been good uptake of the VTL and that our positive experience with it has given us the confidence to open up more VTLs with other countries.

Conclusion

13. Once again, I would like to congratulate Siemens on the expansion of the AMTC, and also extend my appreciation to Siemens and your team for your continued commitment to Singapore. Thank you all for being here with us today both physically and virtually.

14. Thank you.