Speech by SPS Tan Wu Meng at the Opening of the 43rd International Convention On Quality Control Circles (ICQCC)

OPENING REMARKS BY DR TAN WU MENG, SENIOR PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFIRS & MINISTRY OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY AT THE OPENING OF THE 43RD INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON QUALITY CONTROL CIRCLES (ICQCC) ON TUESDAY, 23 OCTOBER 2018, AT 9.50AM AT RESORTS WORLD SENTOSA CONVENTION CENTRE

Distinguished Guests, 

Overseas Delegates,

Ladies and Gentlemen, 

Good morning.

1. I am delighted to join you today at the 43rd International Convention on Quality Control Circles (ICQCC).  This is the second time that the convention is being held in Singapore and we are honoured to welcome more than 2,000 delegates from 15 regional economies including India, China and our ASEAN neighbours. This is one of the highest turnouts in the 43-year history of the ICQCC, bringing together a perse group of private and public sector organisations dedicated to progress through commitment to quality.  

Quality Circles – Past & Present 

2. The idea of Quality Circles (QCs) was first mooted in the 1950s, before being formalised and popularised in Japan from 1962 as part of the country’s drive to improve performance and cost efficiency, and consequently raise the image of Japanese products at home and abroad. Galvanised by the success of QCs in Japan, many other countries, including Singapore and our Asian counterparts represented here today, learned from the Japanese journey and began implementing QCs closer to home. 

3. The concept has evolved since the 1960s, with companies recognising that QCs are also helpful for their employees to learn best business practices that would allow them to perform their jobs more effectively and to encourage an innovative mindset. QCs have evolved to be a tool that is forward looking, to enable innovation within the company. And so today we have Innovation & Quality Circles (IQCs). 

Quality Circles for the Future Economy

4. For companies to adapt for the future, it is not just about technology.  There must be a spirit of innovation at every level.  And people are at the core of that spirit, to make it come alive. 

5. Quality Circles & Innovation Circles help nurture that spirit of innovation.  They send a message that deep, thoughtful understanding of the work can make a difference.  A message that every worker, every employee is part of innovation.  Because innovation is more than technology, more than management.  It is a spirit and a movement. 

Commitment of the Singapore Government to Support our Enterprises

6. In Singapore, quality matters.  We want to grow the Singapore brand of trust. The Singapore Productivity Association tells us that QC practices in Singapore have been building trust and quality for many years.  Public sector, and private sector. From 2006 to 2018, over 4,000 teams from Singapore embarking on QC projects.  Innovating better products and services. It helps the bottom line - a combined $1.8 billion gain in value added or cost savings over the past 12 years. 

7. Local enterprises are dedicated to the Quality Circle mission. One such company is the Petrochemical Corporation of Singapore (PCS). PCS is the upstream supplier of the Singapore Petrochemical Complex which serves as the premier hub of Singapore’s petroleum and petrochemical industries. It is also recognised as a leading producer of ethylene and propylene, and other by-products in the region. Over the past decade, PCS has done more than 10 QC projects.  Increasing productivity of plant operations; improving reliability of process control systems; producing higher quality products.  Adding value proposition to customers. 

8. The Singapore Government is committed to supporting our enterprises to excel in business. This includes using QCs to support quality improvements for products and services. Interested enterprises can tap on the soon-to-be-launched Enterprise Development Grant (EDG), which will replace the existing Capability Development Grant (CDG) and Global Company Partnership (GCP) grant come 25 October 2018. The EDG will support companies taking on projects to build core capabilities, innovate and be more productive and access new market opportunities. 

Conclusion

9. To conclude, I would like to thank the ICQCC Core Council for the opportunity for Singapore to host you today. Platforms such as the ICQCC bring together organisations across jurisdictions and markets. Learning from best practices around the world.  Building new collaborations and connections. You are part of the spirit of innovation, as we build the future economy. 

10. Thank you.