Mr Kenichi Suganuma, Minister and Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Japan

Mr Jason LaTorre, Canadian Trade Commissioner

Prof Su Guaning, President, NTU

Mr Kazusaku Tezuka, President, Mitutoyo Corporation Japan

Mr Masao Tetsuya, Managing Director, Sumitomo Corporation (Singapore)

Distinguished guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good morning.

1.               I am pleased to be here to open NanoFrontier Pte Ltd and to witness the signing of MOUs for its two pioneer projects, which we have just heard about. NanoFrontier was set up by the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), with support from EDB.  Its aim is to be a Nanotechnology Application Development Centre to help companies here exploit nanotechnology products and processes.  This will ultimately boost companies’ manufacturing capabilities, by achieving smaller, faster, cheaper and better products.

Importance of Nanotechnology to Singapore

2.               Nanotechnology is an enabling, multidisciplinary and potentially disruptive technology.  This will allow manufacturers to deliver superior products with enhanced functionalities, and therefore boost their competitiveness or even develop new markets.  This exciting technology will have great impact on our manufacturing capabilities over the next 10 years, as well as affect a wide range of industries including biomedical, electronics, chemicals and precision engineering. 

3.               For instance, nanocomposites could soon produce plastics with heat and electrical conductivity.  This will pave the way for cars with highly-rigid plastic bodies in future, making them more economical to run.  Nanostructured catalysts will offer enhanced performance in chemical synthesis, and nanoelectronics have the potential to displace the existing CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor).

Developing Nanotechnology in Singapore

4.               Recognising the great potential of this technology, Singapore is positioning itself to be a hub for the development of nanotechnology applications, which will bring the promise of the laboratory to the market.

5.               With our established manufacturing base, Singapore offers nanotech companies ready customers.  We are home to over 7,000 MNCs, many of which carry out the full value chain of activities from R&D, design and test-bedding, to manufacturing, logistics and global and regional headquarters services.

6.               In addition, we can leverage on our scientific and technological base for research into this cutting-edge technology.  NTU and NUS both have organisations that promote multidisciplinary research into nanoscience and nanotechnology, coordinating scientific investigation across various faculties.  A*STAR’s Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, which undertakes scientific inquiry into nanotechnology, is another important member of our nanotechnology community, and will be officially opened this afternoon.

7.               Of course, another critical success factor in commercialising technology is the availability of risk capital.  Singapore has a thriving venture capital community, with a pool of 157 venture capital and private equity firms managing more than S$16 billion in funds.  These will provide the financial stimulus needed to bring intellectual capital to the market. 

8.               An important step towards commercialising the innovations is to have a test and reference market.  We have a sophisticated manufacturing sector and comprehensive R&D activities.  We also offer a reliable intellectual property (IP) environment for these innovations.  Singapore was voted the most IP-protective country in Asia by the Political and Economic Research Consultancy for the last two consecutive years.  Coupled with our reputation for objectivity and transparency as well as our cosmopolitan environment, Singapore is well-positioned to offer a quality test market for new products and services intended for the global market.

9.               Today’s launch of NanoFrontier reflects Singapore’s concerted efforts to develop nanotechnology-enabled products and applications.  We will continue to to build up a larger and stronger nanotech community to encourage collaborations between researchers, industry and academia.

10.           Cientifica, a nanotechnology information consultancy, is leading an initiative to link both local and foreign companies to each other and to academia.  Its first networking session, incorporating a seminar on the commercialisation of nanotech, will be held after this opening ceremony.

11.           Last year, NTU and NUS, working with EDB, launched a Masters in Nanoengineering.  This programme will train 60 post-graduate students in nanotechnology over three years.  In addition, EDB provides incentives to support on-the-job training, to build up manpower capabilities.

12.           Singapore is also building up a base of nanotechnology companies.  These include enterprises at start-up and emerging stage, as well as the strategic business units of established MNCs.  To name a few, Water & Environment Technologies, NanoMaterials Technology and STMicroelectronics carry out a wide range of activities, from basic research to developing nanotechnology-enabled products.  They have recently been joined by Oxonica and Advanced Nanotech.

13.           We are standing today on the edge of a major scientific frontier.  The benefits that nanotechnology offers can only grow.  The nanotechnology community and the infrastructure today have to be expanded and upgraded in pace with the technological advancement.  Your efforts and commitment will play an important role in taking on these challenges.

14.            My warmest congratulations to NTU and NanoFrontier on today’s opening.  I wish the partners all the success in their projects, and I look forward to hearing more about this exciting industry in the days to come.  

Thank you.