Singapore today launched a new ten-year infocomm masterplan that will propel the nation into 2015 and beyond, with a line-up of activities and goals that spell benefits for the people...
Singapore, 20 June 2006 | For Immediate Release
Singapore today launched a new ten-year infocomm masterplan that will propel the nation into 2015 and beyond, with a line-up of activities and goals that spell benefits for the people, businesses and the global community. The vision is to turn the country into an Intelligent Nation and Global City, Powered by infocomm. The masterplan recommends the way forward for Singapore, into a future where infocomm will bring a sea change and become intrinsic in the way people live, learn, work and play.
Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts Dr Lee Boon Yang unveiled the plan this morning at the start of the week-long Infocomm and Media Business Exchange (imbX). Dr Lee said: "Innovation, integration and internationalisation will be the basis of our masterplan. The capacity to innovate and create new business models, solutions and services will enable Singapore to be more competitive in a globalised environment. Equally important is the ability to integrate resources and capabilities for economic progress and digital opportunities for all Singaporeans."
The iN2015 masterplan is developed in the past year with inputs from the People, Private and Public sectors. A steering committee chaired by IDA with representatives from the infocomm industry, sectors like education, healthcare, manufacturing & logistics, finance, tourism & retail and digital media, as well as the government, guided the development. (Please see Annex for composition of the iN2015 steering committee.) The masterplan sets bold targets for 2015:
- Singapore to be No. 1 in the world in harnessing infocomm to add value to the economy and society
- Achieve a two-fold increase in value-added1 of the infocomm industry to S$26 billion
- See a three-fold increase in infocomm export revenue to S$60 billion
- Create 80,000 additional jobs2
- Have at least 90 per cent of homes using broadband
- Ensure 100 per cent computer ownership for all homes with school-going children
"The iN2015 Masterplan is not only about economic competitiveness. We will also be exploring ways to ensure that the elderly, less-privileged and people with disability can also enjoy connected and enriched lives or self-improvement and life-long learning. This is to bridge the digital divide and create opportunities for all," said Dr Lee.
To achieve the targets, the masterplan outlined four key strategies:
- To spearhead the transformation of key economic sectors, government and society through more sophisticated and innovative use of infocomm
- To establish an ultra-high speed, pervasive, intelligent and trusted infocomm infrastructure
- To develop a globally competitive infocomm industry
- To develop an infocomm-savvy workforce and globally competitive infocomm manpower
In harnessing infocomm technologies for the key economic sectors, some key recommendations include the use of personalised services to enhance healthcare, education, tourism and e-government; seamless delivery of financial services and supply-chain management.
The Next Generation National Infocomm Infrastructure will be put in place by 2012, capable of delivering broadband speeds up to 1 Gbps, and offer pervasive connectivity around the country. The infrastructure will also be IPv6 compliant and will enable an exciting host of new broadband-enabled services and applications, such as immersive learning experiences, telemedicine, high definition TV, immersive video conferencing and grid computing. (Please see Annex for updates on Next Generation National Infocomm Infrastructure).
To develop a globally competitive infocomm industry, initiatives are being worked out to strengthen the domain and technology capabilities within the industry. Local infocomm enterprises will be nurtured for expansion and growth beyond the domestic markets, and infocomm solutions developed for export.
To support the growth of the economy and the infocomm industry, the infocomm competencies of the general workforce will be raised. Techno-strategists who have both the technical and business expertise will also be groomed to achieve business and organisational goals through the strategic and innovative use of infocomm. To build a pipeline of infocomm professionals, there will be initiatives to attract the best from schools to take up infocomm as a career.
"The government together with the industry will pursue many of the recommendations from the iN2015 Steering Committee for Singapore's vision to be an intelligent nation and global city by 2015," said Mr Chan Yeng Kit, Chief Executive Officer of IDA Singapore. "IDA sees the iN2015 masterplan as a living plan that will evolve as we look into its implementation and respond to socio-economic and technology changes over the next 10 years," he added.
For more information on the iN2015 programmes and initiatives, please refer to attached Factsheets, and visit us at https://www.imda.gov.sg/.
ISSUED BY CORPORATE & MARKETING COMMUNICATION DIVISION
INFOCOMM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF SINGAPORE
Notes to Editor:
1 Value added of the infocomm industry refers to the contribution of the industry to the gross domestic product (GDP). Value add comprises the compensation of employees, operating surplus, the consumption of fixed capital and the excess of indirect taxes over subsidies (Definition from the Singapore Department of Statistics).
2 Of the 80,000 new jobs, 55,000 jobs are expected to be infocomm jobs in both infocomm and user sectors. The remaining 25,000 jobs are supporting jobs in infocomm industry.
About Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) is committed to growing Singapore into a dynamic global infocomm hub. IDA uses an integrated approach to developing info-communications in Singapore. This involves nurturing a competitive telecoms market as well as a conducive business environment with programmes and schemes for both local and international companies. For more information, visit https://www.imda.gov.sg/.
For media clarification, please contact:
Ho Ka Wei (Mr)
Manager
Corporate and Marketing Communication
Fax : +65 6211-2227
Email : info@imda.gov.sg
Ho Hwei Ling (Ms)
Assistant Director
Corporate and Marketing Communication
Tel : +65 6211-1996
Fax : +65 6211-2227
Email : Ho_Hwei_Ling@imda.gov.sg
Related Resources:
.webp)