Welcome Remarks by Second Minister S Iswaran at the 67th ASEAN Cost Opening Ceremony at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel

Chair of ASEAN COST, Dato’ Dr. Rosli Mohamed

COST Chairs of other ASEAN Member States

Excellencies,

Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning to everyone.

1.               On behalf of my colleagues from the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Singapore and the Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR), let me extend a very warm welcome to all delegates to the 67th ASEAN Committee on Science and Technology meeting. 

ASEAN is an important market

2.               ASEAN has been growing significantly on the global stage. It has become one of the key drivers of Asia’s economic rise, with a market of over 600 million people.  ASEAN’s GDP grew by 6 per cent from 2012 to reach US$2.4 trillion in 2013.

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  There are promising signs that ASEAN will continue to grow as an attractive end market and also as an investment destination.  A recent Deloitte study forecast that five of the top 15 manufacturing locations in the world will be in ASEAN by 2018.

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3.               To ensure that ASEAN can realise its full potential, we must maintain the momentum of our efforts to enhance regional integration and undertake pro-growth macroeconomic policies to capture global opportunities as a group.  To this end, we have made good progress towards the goal of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) 2015 Blueprint of establishing a single market and production base by 2015.  The single market will open up new opportunities for businesses and citizens of ASEAN countries, allowing goods to flow freely and seamlessly.

Science & technology is a key enabler for ASEAN’s economic growth

4.               It is therefore timely that the decision was made for the ASEAN Committee on Science and Technology (COST) to report to the ASEAN Economic Community from next year onwards. This is a strong affirmation of the importance of science, technology and innovation in improving the quality of life for our people, and achieving sustainable growth for our economies.

5.               Since its establishment in 1978, ASEAN COST has been leading efforts to promote regional cooperation and mutual assistance in research and development (R&D).  ASEAN COST has provided us with an important platform to forge collaborations in areas of mutual interest in order to address common challenges that we face.  This includes the ASEAN Flagship Programmes which were endorsed by ASEAN S&T Ministers in 2007.  Focusing on 6 thematic programmes in areas ranging from early warning systems for disaster risk reduction to health, these flagship programmes have crystallised our common needs into meaningful projects to support ASEAN’s future.

Health Flagship Programme

6.               As you are aware, Singapore chairs the Health Flagship Programme, which aims to strengthen ASEAN’s capabilities to combat infectious diseases that are of concern to ASEAN.  Under this Flagship programme, the 1st ASEAN Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) Workshop, which was jointly organised by A*STAR, the Singapore Infectious Disease Initiative and the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, was held in April 2013.  Since then, participants have agreed to form a consortium, led by NUS Adjunct Associate Professor Dr Peter Horby, to improve the prevention and treatment of HFMD to combat the health and socioeconomic burden of the Enterovirus infection.

7.               Dengue is another infectious disease which is endemic to our region.  With the absence of clinically-approved vaccines or specific medications for treatment, dengue is fast becoming a pandemic-prone viral disease in many parts of the world.  Singapore supports the need to pay special attention to the disease biology, and the development of inexpensive detection or test devices.  Our scientists will continue to actively participate in relevant networks in ASEAN through collaboration, talent exchange and information sharing, to develop diagnostics and continue to pursue the development of vaccines for disease prevention. 

Standards

8.               One important aspect of regional integration and developing pro-growth macroeconomic policies is establishing and harmonising standards among ASEAN countries.  This is an essential prerequisite for innovation and the development of technology-centric industries across ASEAN, and to enhance our competitiveness as a region.  Harmonisation of standards underpins the development of a framework for regional mutual recognition of products and services, and will serve to lessen trade barriers and catalyse free economic exchange.

9.       In that regard, I am pleased to note that an Experts Group on Metrology (EGM) has been formed to develop expertise and capability within ASEAN, and to facilitate the harmonisation of technical standards across ASEAN.  Singapore is committed to efforts to improve metrology capabilities and standards application in the various ASEAN fora and partnerships.

Conclusion

10.           The efforts we undertake together as a community will underpin the prospects for ASEAN’s future.  Science and technology is an important pillar of economic growth, and ASEAN COST will continue to serve as an important platform to build networks and rapport within the ASEAN S&T community: where ideas are shared, existing relationships are deepened, and new relationships are forged.  It is therefore apt that the ASEAN Plan of Action for Science, Technology and Innovation (APASTI) 2015-2020, which will serve as the blueprint and implementation framework for the next phase of ASEAN’s Science & Technology efforts, will be reviewed at this COST meeting. It will set the path for future development of S&T efforts within ASEAN, which will undergird ASEAN’s continued economic progress. And, Singapore remains committed to embarking on joint projects of mutual interest with all ASEAN member state and dialogue partners in this important endeavour.

11.           Once again, a warm welcome to all ASEAN delegates, and I wish you a pleasant stay in Singapore, and productive discussions at this COST meeting.

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IMF forecast.

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Source: Deloitte Global Competitiveness Index 2013. The 5 ASEAN countries are Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.