Written reply to PQ on impact from countries’ restrictions on export of critical and emerging technologies on Singapore's development of deep tech enterprises

Question:

Dr Neo Kok Beng: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry as countries start constraining the export of critical and emerging technologies (CET) and associated manpower such as engineers and scientists (a) what is the potential impact on Singapore's development of a deep tech ecosystem of enterprises and startups; and (b) what is the potential impact on Singapore's development of CET capabilities in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum technologies and robotics.

Written Answer by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong

1.                  The Government has not observed export constraints impeding the development of Singapore's deep tech ecosystem. As a global business hub, Singapore offers an open and vibrant ecosystem that enables our companies to access diverse sources of technology and partnerships.

2.                  Singapore has also remained attractive to leading research and entrepreneurial talent. For instance, EDB's Global Founder Programme (GFP) has worked with close to 80 experienced founders to grow more than 45 new ventures, over half of which are in AI and deep tech. To date, these ventures have collectively raised more than US$2 billion in venture capital funding. Alongside this, we are growing the pipeline of top scientific and engineering talent in Singapore, through the A*STAR Graduate Scholarships and other programmes in the universities.

3.                  Singapore is leveraging our strong foundation in scientific research and development (R&D), nurtured steadily over several Research, Innovation, and Enterprise (RIE) plans, to strengthen our competitiveness in industries such as semiconductor and to build capabilities in important emerging technologies such as quantum and space. In addition, the Government has expanded efforts to support deep tech enterprises through initiatives such as the Startup SG Equity scheme where we have set aside an additional S$1 billion to fund early- and growth-stage deep tech startups. We believe that these and other initiatives will strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of our deep tech ecosystem.

4.                  The Government will continue to closely monitor global developments, and work with a diverse range of international partners to safeguard Singapore's access to critical and emerging technologies.