Speech by Minister of State for Trade and Industry Gan Siow Huang at the Opening of Atomionics’ New Facility

Mr. Sahil Tapiawala

Dr. Ravi Kumar

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Introduction

1.       Such a delight to see such a big group – like family – coming together to celebrate this very important milestone for Atomionics. Thank you for inviting me.

2.       It is a pleasure to join you today for the official opening of Atomionics’ new research and development facility here at Alexandra Technopark.

3.       My warmest congratulations to Sahil, Ravi, and the Atomionics team on this significant milestone, and to the investors, researchers, partners, friends and colleagues from Government agencies who have made it possible.

4.       Today’s opening remarks that I am providing are a testament to the great strides the Atomionics team has made in Singapore. It is more than the growth of a Singapore-based deep tech company. It also reflects Singapore’s commitment to building capabilities in frontier technologies that can shape future industries in Singapore and the rest of the world.

5.       Let me just share a few quick thoughts.

Pushing the global deep tech frontier

6.       As the Economic Strategy Review highlighted earlier this year, Singapore must continue investing in emerging technologies and also projects that can create new futures.

7.       Quantum technology is one such deep tech area.

8.       Its potential applications span areas such as advanced manufacturing, healthcare, energy, infrastructure, navigation, communication and many more.

9.       However, deep tech is not easy. I know it takes many years and efforts from many parties to see progress and breakthroughs. It demands scientific excellence, sustained investment, and the conviction to pursue technologies whose commercial potential sometimes may not be so clear in the short-term, and many times, could take a long gestation for fruition.

10.      Over the years, Singapore has built strong foundations needed to support such innovation.

11.      Through our universities, public research institutions, and industry partnerships, we have invested in the talent, infrastructure, and capabilities needed to translate ideas into real-world impact.

12.      This ecosystem is strengthened by close collaboration between the public and private sectors.

13.      Government investors and agencies such as EnterpriseSG, SGInnovate, and SG Growth Capital play an important role alongside industry players in helping companies build, develop, commercialise, and scale their technologies.

14.      Facilities such as this help bridge research and commercialisation, translating scientific breakthroughs into future economic value.

Anchoring and cultivating world-class talent

15.      But we know, ultimately, innovation is not just about technology – it’s the people behind the innovation and technology.

16.      One of Singapore’s greatest strengths is our ability to attract and develop, talent, not just in Singapore, but also from other parts of the world.

17.      Researchers, engineers, entrepreneurs, and investors choose Singapore because of our trusted environment and our welcoming culture of diversity and growth.

18.      I am encouraged that Atomionics has brought together in Singapore a stellar team of scientists, engineers, and AI specialists from around the world.

19.      As more innovation activities are anchored here, they create opportunities for collaboration, capability building, and – I hope in time to come – knowledge transfer, so that in Singapore we can have more spinoffs, partners and organisations benefitting from what you are developing right here.

Conclusion

21.      The opening of this facility reflects what can be achieved when research excellence, entrepreneurial ambition, and public-private partnership work together. It’s like connecting the dots. Sometimes it takes a while for us to find the dots and link them together, but I’m glad that Atomionics has succeeded thus far in finding the dots and getting them connected.

22.      The Government will continue investing in the capabilities, infrastructure, and people, so we can grow Singapore’s deep tech ecosystem.

23.      Our goal is to enable more companies like Atomionics to develop and scale frontier technologies from Singapore to the world.

24.      I look forward to seeing a continued push of the frontiers of technology and also to translate innovation for impact in the world.

25.      Once again, congratulations to the team at Atomionics and all the partners who are here today.

26.      Thank you.