Gan Kim Yong
Singapore
“Consumer complaints relating to the secondary resale market for tickets to major events and concerts have generally remained low. Nonetheless, to protect the public from scams on secondary ticket resale platforms, the Police have imposed Code of Practice requirements under the Online Criminal Harms Act to require designated online service…”
“Singapore does not condone the use of forced labour. We criminalise forced labour in Singapore under various laws. Relevant Government Ministries and agencies, such as the Ministry of Manpower, Ministry of Home Affairs and Singapore Police Force, play their part in investigating complaints of suspected breaches in domestic laws that relat…”
“The Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS) discontinued the PayNow nickname feature as scammers had been exploiting the use of nicknames to impersonate legitimate entities and trusted individuals.”
“As of end-2025, around 6,900 private residential buildings have registered their solar installations with SP Group for the export of excess solar-generated electricity to the grid. The installed solar capacity of these residential buildings is 115.3 megawatt-peak (MWp), or around 5.5% of all current installed solar capacity in Singapore.”
“The one-year pilot extension of liquor trading hours has seen strong interest from businesses. As of 31 May 2026, the Police have approved 88 applications for the extension of liquor trading hours from public entertainment outlets in these areas.”
“The Government does not make projections of domestic or regional demand for renewable diesel or sustainable aviation fuel. Demand depends on commercial considerations, evolving market conditions and regulatory developments across different jurisdictions.”
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“As of end-June 2022, there were close to 4,000 licensed electrical workers (LEW), of which less than 1% were foreigners from various nationalities on either S Passes or Employment Passes. The majority of LEWs were between 41 and 80 years of age.”
“Data on the average increase in rent per annum for firms in the food and beverage services sector for the requested periods are provided in Table 1. A further breakdown of the food and beverage services sector is not available. Based on available data for hawker centres, the median monthly rental for non-subsidised cooked food stalls has remained relatively stable at around $1,250, with a per annum increase of 0.3% on average from 2015 to 2020.”
“The Department of Statistics publishes data on the share of rental costs in total business costs in the food and beverage services sector. A further breakdown of the sector is not available. The National Environment Agency (NEA) compiles data on the business costs of cooked food stalls in hawker centres managed by NEA and NEA-appointed operators. Data on the rental cost share of firms in the food and beverage services sector for the years 2000, 2010, 2019 and 2020, as well as non-subsidised cooked food stalls in hawker centres for the years 2019 and 20201 are provided in Table 1.”
“The Department of Statistics publishes data on the share of rental costs in total business costs in the retail trade sector. Between 2000 and 2020 (latest available data), the rental cost share of the retail sector was relatively stable, at around 31% on average. Details are provided in Table 1.”
“Last month, Minister of State Low Yen Ling updated the House that fuel prices in Singapore had risen in tandem with global crude oil prices. Global crude oil prices had increased significantly due to higher demand as economies reopen following the pandemic, coupled with tight supplies due to sanctions against Russia and the past years of under-investment in fossil fuel productions. MTI is currently reviewing the fuel retail market to determine if there are other ways to alleviate the pressure on fuel prices. This study will also examine how global developments, as well as the practices of the fuel retail operators, have led to the pricing trends seen so far. To support the study, CCCS has required fuel retail operators to submit data and we will update the House when ready. In the meantime, we welcome the fact that petrol pump prices have fallen by 7% to 12% since early July. As to whether such a review will be conducted periodically henceforth, future reviews would depend on market conditions and the practices of the industry players. The Government is committed to ensuring a competitive fuel retail market and we are continuing to monitor the actions of the fuel retail operators closely.”
“In support of the Year of Celebrating SG Families (YCF), partners of Made For Families have introduced deals and promotions targeted at families. Made For Families is an initiative by the National Population and Talent Division (NPTD) to build an ecosystem of partners that support families in different ways. Some of these deals were launched in the 2022 June school holidays. They included promotions and discounts for family-friendly events and activities, staycations, attractions and food and beverages. Selected deals are valid for the entire year of 2022. STB will continue to drive the SingapoRediscovers marketing campaign which was started in conjunction with the SingapoRediscovers vouchers scheme in 2020. Although the voucher scheme ended in March 2022, there are many local attractions and places of interest where families can explore and strengthen their bonds. We hope Singaporeans will keep venturing into their backyard with a sense of adventure, as quaint neighbourhoods, lush nature, as well as fascinating arts and heritage trails, await. Many of these places are admission-free.”
“For instance, we recently announced the Energy Efficiency Grant for local SMEs in the food services, food manufacturing, and retail sectors, to help them adopt energy-efficient equipment in pre-approved categories. National Environment Agency (NEA) also has an Energy Efficiency Fund that supports SMEs in the manufacturing sector to adopt energy-efficient technologies. These schemes support SMEs in their efforts to go green and manage rising business costs. The Government will continue to work closely with businesses and key stakeholders to support them in their sustainability journey and help them adapt to a low-carbon future. Together, we can help Singapore remain competitive and seize new growth opportunities.”
“As announced under the Singapore Green Plan 2030, we are helping businesses to harness sustainability as a competitive advantage. We are encouraged that SMEs in Singapore are taking steps to do so. Since the launch of the Enterprise Sustainability Programme in October 2021, over 300 local SMEs have participated in awareness and education programmes, and over 40 sustainability-related projects have been supported by Enterprise Singapore. Examples include the adoption of sustainability-related standards, the development of new sustainable products, as well as financing for sustainability solutions under the Enterprise Financing Scheme Green, or EFS-Green. As each sector’s approach to sustainability varies, MTI supports and works closely with trade associations and chambers to identify their needs and develop capability-building programmes for their respective industries. An example is the Textile and Fashion Federation (TaFF). As part of its Fashion Sustainability Programme, TaFF recently conducted its first-ever sector environmental impact study of Singapore’s fashion industry. Following that, it will go on to develop sustainability toolkits for enterprises, as well as introduce sustainability talent capability development programmes and support businesses in developing possible solutions to seize green opportunities. Separately, under the Food Services Industry Transformation Map 2025, Enterprise Singapore is working with companies to build their awareness of food sustainability, and encourage their adoption of solutions in sustainable packaging and food waste management. We are also taking steps to help SMEs adopt sustainability solutions.”
“The Consumer Price Index for All Items (CPI-All Items) captures the average price changes of a basket of goods and services commonly purchased by resident households over time. It is a widely used and internationally accepted measure of consumer price inflation. The Government also tracks the MAS Core Inflation measure, which excludes accommodation and private transport costs that do not affect the day-to-day expenses of most resident households. The cost of living on the other hand, is multi-faceted and shaped by both price and non-price factors, such as changes in lifestyle and household preferences. For instance, while younger families may be concerned about the costs of education, families with elderly members will be more concerned about the cost of healthcare. Given their different needs and changing aspirations, the cost of living faced by Singaporeans cannot be fully captured by a single measure.”
“Global supply disruptions, due in large part to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the pandemic, have fuelled inflationary pressures globally. As a small and open economy, Singapore's domestic prices will, inevitably, be affected. The Committee Against Profiteering (CAP)'s role is to review and investigate feedback on unjustified price increases of essential goods and services using the GST increase as a cover. CAP does not interfere with businesses' pricing decisions per se but issues guidelines to encourage businesses to be transparent with their prices and not misrepresent the reasons for any price increase. To prevent the price increases from being excessive and "hardened", we are working with industry partners, including major retailers, to ensure that the prices of daily necessities and food items are competitive and affordable. Initiatives, such as the Price Kaki price comparison app, will also improve price transparency and introduce more competitive pressures into pricing decisions.”
“The Department of Statistics and the Economic Development Board compile data on business costs, including rental costs, of firms in the services and manufacturing sectors, respectively. Data on the share of rental costs in total business costs in the services and manufacturing sectors as a whole for the period of 2000 to 2020 (latest available data) are provided in Table 1. Over this period, the share of rental costs in total business costs was relatively stable, at around 3.1%, on average.”
“It will create good job roles for Singaporeans, such as system engineers, plant scientists and aquaculture nutritionists. Although SKED is a mature industrial estate, it will feature a vast network of green spaces, including parks, park connectors and nature ways, that will facilitate ecological connectivity between the Central Catchment Nature Reserve to Mandai Mangrove and Mudflat. JTC reaffirms the need to balance between nature conservation and development and will continue to work with the relevant agencies to implement SKED’s rejuvenation plans in a manner that is sensitive and sustainable and minimise impact to greenery and wildlife. Development works at the Agri-Food Innovation Park will resume once all the required regulatory approvals have been obtained.”
“Concurrently, JTC has also established teams which will specifically focus on projects with environmental impact with the necessary expertise and training. Second, JTC has set up an Environmental Planning and Design Unit (EPDU) to manage and coordinate biodiversity and environmental requirements for its land clearances. It will also oversee environmental planning, design, and studies at the master planning stage. Third, JTC has further strengthened its project management through digitalisation. For example, JTC has extended its Integrated Digital Delivery processes, which are used to monitor building projects, to cover works, such as land clearance. Doing so will allow JTC’s project managers, consultants and contractors to better monitor the progress of all land clearance works on the ground. Fourth, JTC will form a Biodiversity and Environmental Advisory Panel (BEAP), comprising nature group representatives and environmental experts, to strengthen its management of biodiversity and environmental issues in land planning and development projects. BEAP will assist JTC by providing inputs for projects that may have significant environmental impact. These measures will strengthen JTC’s capabilities and processes on land clearances, environmental protection and project management. JTC will continue to ensure that officers uphold the highest standards of integrity and governance in carrying out their duties. The Sungei Kadut Eco-District (SKED) is a 500-hectare, multi-year project that will see one of Singapore’s oldest industrial estates transformed into a next generation estate supporting new growth sectors, such as agri-tech and environment technology, as part of the planned Northern Food and Agri-Tech Corridor.”
“Taking a system-level view, the Ministers had asked Permanent Secretary Joseph Leong to review how agencies could learn from the incident and improve. The review found that the land clearance systems and processes are generally sound, but, nonetheless, made further recommendations to strengthen them. Agencies are already in the process of implementing these measures. As for the Kranji land clearance incident in particular, four individuals have been charged in Court for offences under the Parks and Trees Act and Wildlife Act in respect of certain actions which led to the unauthorised tree-felling. Minister Chan Chun Sing also informed the House on 10 March 2022 that Police investigations had found that two of these individuals, who were officers in JTC’s project team then, had provided inaccurate information about the incident to their superiors at JTC. As the criminal proceedings against the individuals involved in the Kranji incident are ongoing, I will not comment further on the details of this specific case, so as not to prejudice the ongoing proceedings. Suffice to say, we will not hesitate to take appropriate action when public officers are found to have committed wrongdoings. JTC has reviewed its internal processes arising from the recommendations. I will next share with members the measures that JTC has implemented to strengthen its processes and capabilities in land clearance projects. First, JTC has established a Construction Regulatory Compliance Unit (CRCU) to oversee and check regulatory approvals for all JTC development projects. CRCU serves as an additional and independent check to ensure proper project approvals have been obtained. CRCU will report directly to the Audit and Risk Committee of the JTC Board.”
“The role of the Committee Against Profiteering (CAP) is to review and investigate feedback on the unjustified rise in prices of essential products and services which use the GST increase as an excuse. CAP works with various agencies and organisations, including the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS), the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) and the People’s Association (PA) to review all feedback received. If there are grounds to suspect profiteering which uses the GST increase as an excuse, CAP will engage the business involved to find out the reasons for the price increase and evaluate the explanations provided. Businesses are expected to be transparent about their prices and not misrepresent the reasons for any price increase. The CAP feedback and review process has been designed such that while it is easy for consumers to provide feedback, it also does not impose any additional regulatory burden on businesses.”
“Singapore’s reputation as a business and travel destination continues to be strong. When compared to nine key competitor cities, Singapore is still among the top travel destinations for both leisure and business travellers, according to Singapore Tourism Board's (STB) February 2022 Brand Health Survey of Singapore’s top 15 markets. There is a robust pipeline of business and leisure events lined up in Singapore for the rest of 2022. These include the FIND – Design Fair Asia Congress, Food & Hotel Asia and the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix. We understand that businesses in the hospitality and F&B sectors are facing challenges as demand surges with the resumption of movement and activities post-COVID-19. To supplement the tight domestic labour market, we have moved quickly to reopen borders for foreign workers to meet the sectors’ needs. At the same time, we encourage businesses to continue to press on with their efforts in digitalisation and job redesign, as well as raising productivity. This can help them maintain or improve their quality and standards of service. We will continue to work with the hospitality and F&B industries to help them transform so that they not only serve local customers well, but will also welcome back our overseas visitors with quality service, products and experiences.”
“Amidst global inflationary pressures and the more challenging business environment, the Government introduced a slew of measures to help enterprises tide over these challenging times and adapt to the new operating environment. This includes the Energy Efficiency Grant that supports local SMEs in the Food Services, Food Manufacturing and Retail sectors to invest in energy efficient equipment as businesses in these sectors tend to have a larger electricity component in their overall business costs. We do not have specific projections of the levels of take-up. However, we hope that the substantial support of up to 70% will persuade more companies to kickstart their transition towards greater energy efficiency and longer-term financial and environmental sustainability. The Energy Efficiency Grant complements other Government efforts to help SMEs be more energy efficient. For example, the National Environment Agency (NEA)'s Energy Efficiency Fund supports SMEs in the Manufacturing sector to adopt energy efficient technologies. The Energy Efficiency Technology Centre (EETC), which is a collaboration between NEA and the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), also helps to build up energy efficiency capabilities among local industrial SMEs and upskill engineers or energy efficiency practitioners. Building owners including SMEs are also eligible for co-funding support to retrofit and raise the energy performance of their existing buildings under the Building and Construction Authority (BCA)'s Green Mark Incentive Scheme for Existing Buildings 2.0 (GMIS-EB 2.0).”
“The Government works closely with industry partners to maintain adequate stockpiles of essential food items, in order to mitigate the impact of any unforeseen disruptions to our food supply. For example, under the Rice Stockpile Scheme, rice importers are required to hold an inventory buffer equivalent to two times of their average monthly imports. The Rice Stockpile Scheme helps to ensure an adequate supply of rice in the market and to maintain stability of prices during periods of uncertainty and supply shortages. Since the start of COVID-19 in 2020, when we began to experience greater disruptions in food supply chains, the Government has expanded and built up our food stockpiles to a higher level. The items and target amounts for our food stockpiles are assessed and re-calibrated periodically, to ensure that they remain relevant and sufficient to address the anticipated risks in an increasingly uncertain environment. As part of Singapore’s multi-pronged strategy to ensure food resilience, we will also continue to diversify our import sources and strengthen our local food production capabilities.”
“As of June 2022, there are 6,758 renovation contractors registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA). From 2019 to 2021, CASE received an average of 1,100 complaints involving renovation contractors each year. In particular, complaints against the industry saw a spike in 2021 against the backdrop of manpower and raw material shortages due to the pandemic, and pent-up demand for home renovation services. The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) recently published a Guide on Fair Trading Practices for the Renovation industry. This aims to raise contractors' awareness of the good practices they should adopt to enable consumers to make well-informed decisions. The guide also highlights what constitutes unfair practices under the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act (CPFTA). Consumers can visit the CASE website for guidelines on what to look out for when engaging a renovation contractor - from negotiations on progressive payments based on project milestones to dealing with outstanding renovation defects. Consumers can also consider engaging one of the 139 CaseTrust-accredited contractors as these businesses are committed to fair trading practices and consumer-friendly policies, such as using the CaseTrust Standard Renovation Contract to ensure cost transparency and accountability in renovation projects. Consumers who encounter unfair practices can always approach CASE for assistance. CASE will not hesitate to refer errant contractors to CCCS for investigation under the CPFTA.”
“This has been addressed in MTI's combined oral reply to Questions 21, 22, and 23 on the Order Paper for 4 July 2022.”
“JTC leases land to industrialists either as a bare land or with existing buildings. If the land is empty without buildings, which is usually the case for the industrialists to develop its own buildings, the lessee is required to pay a land premium only. No building premium is charged. This approach also applies to the renewal of the lease. If JTC leases land with existing buildings to a lessee, the lessee is required to pay a building premium for those buildings based on the lease tenure. When the lease is renewed or extended, the lessee will continue to be charged a building premium for the lease renewal, based on valuation of the building in the renewed tenure.”
“As of December 2021, there are about 42,100 heavy vehicle (HV) lots islandwide, more than the approximately 32,400 HVs registered under LTA’s Vehicle Parking Certificate (VPC) scheme. While HV drivers may prefer to park near where they reside, locating HV parks (HVPs) in or near residential areas comes at a high opportunity cost, as the land could otherwise cater to housing or community needs. Government agencies are working closely together to ensure that there remains sufficient HV lots islandwide, which are accessible to drivers. As part of this process, we are engaging various industry stakeholders, like HVP operators and HV-operating businesses, including the logistics sector. We will also discuss with them the usefulness of forming an Alliance for Action.”
“In the meantime, we will continue to enhance energy efficiency across all sectors and encourage consumers to play their part to conserve energy, to reduce our overall demand and reliance on energy.”
“Singapore has been exploring various solutions to decarbonise the grid as part of our commitment to achieving a low-carbon energy future under the Singapore Green Plan 2030, and our Long-term Low Emissions Development Strategy. Singapore has limited potential to deploy renewable energy. At present, solar energy remains the most viable renewable energy option for Singapore. However, we have limited land for the large-scale deployment of solar panels. In addition, the presence of high cloud cover across Singapore and urban shading pose challenges such as intermittency. Given these limitations, we are looking into importing energy to Singapore. We are also looking at developing the infrastructure and policies for low carbon alternatives like hydrogen, which can be used to transport renewable energy to Singapore. However, low carbon technologies such as hydrogen are currently nascent, and uncertainties remain on whether and when they can become cost-viable for large-scale deployment. We are also monitoring the developments in nuclear energy, as well as building capabilities to better understand and assess their safety, security and environmental implications. It is against this context that the Energy 2050 Committee developed the three pathways that Singapore could take to achieve net-zero by 2050, one of which included the option of nuclear energy. Our future energy mix will depend on various factors, including the advances in various low-carbon technologies, as well as collaboration and trading of low-carbon energy across borders. Any decision to deploy new energy technologies will need to weigh carefully their safety, reliability, affordability and environmental sustainability.”
“The Government has no plans to process nor re-process spent nuclear fuel, nor are such plans currently being considered. One must not put the cart before the horse. The processing or re-processing of nuclear fuel is undertaken only in some of the countries which generate nuclear power, or which have a nuclear industry. Singapore is neither. MTI is monitoring developments related to nuclear technologies, and is training personnel and undertaking research in nuclear power and safety. Until such time when we are ready to consider deciding on the use of nuclear power, it will be inappropriate and premature to consider nuclear fuel processing, let alone any purity targets for such fuel.”
“Agencies and the Consumers of Association of Singapore (CASE) have not received any complaints of businesses taking advantage of the GST increase to encourage customers to make advanced leveraged purchases beyond their means. Furthermore, payment and delivery schedules are commercial and personal decisions that are best left to businesses and their customers who know best what their needs are. MTI does not intend to impose any new regulations, such as a cooling-off period. The Government has engaged major retailers that offer in-house credit schemes to encourage them to improve their business practices, such as enhancing their transparency standards and the disclosure of their terms and conditions, employing responsible marketing practices, and incorporating credit bureau reports as part of their credit assessment. MTI and agencies will continue to keep a close watch on market practices.”
“With the implementation of the Vaccinated Travel Framework (VTF) and streamlining of COVID-19 border measures, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) expects inbound tourism demand to pick up gradually this year. In the first quarter of 2022, there were close to 250,000 visitor arrivals, representing a year-on-year growth of over 250%. Forward booking data suggests that visitor arrivals will gather pace in the second half of this year, when the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix and a number of other high-profile events are scheduled to take place. However, it may take several years for visitor arrivals to recover to pre-pandemic levels. As many countries and regions have also reopened their borders to allow fully vaccinated travellers to enter without the need for quarantine, we expect more Singaporeans to travel overseas this year. STB does not collect data on the number of Singaporeans going overseas for tourism.”
“From 22 March to 9 April 2022, Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) teamed up with ST Engineering and FoodPanda under the Sentosa x Enterprise Scheme to pilot drone delivery from Sentosa's food and beverage establishments to St John's Island. The pilot aimed to study the feasibility and operational requirements of drone food deliveries. Such drone deliveries could provide more food options for guests on the Southern Islands. The pilot successfully demonstrated the technical feasibility of a drone food delivery service delivering packaged food to St John's Island in a timely and reliable manner. SDC is studying the commercial case for a larger-scale deployment of the delivery service, taking into account consumer demand, manpower requirements and affordability.”
“As stated in the Electricity (Contestable Customers) Regulations 2018, the electricity accounts for the Management Corporation Strata Title (MCST) of condominiums are not considered residential premises. MCST accounts typically consume sizeable amounts of electricity. Besides using electricity for common areas and facilities, such as lifts and lighting, MCSTs may also use electricity for business operations or for premises that are leased to businesses, such as provision shops. Since they are considered non-residential, MCST accounts that consume an average of four megawatt-hour (MWh) a month or more cannot opt to switch from the contested market to regulated tariff. Electricity offered through the regulated tariff is purchased by SP Group (SP) through long-term vesting contracts with generation companies (gencos). Contestable consumers who wish to return to the regulated tariff are allowed to do so, except larger consumers who consume an average of more than four MWh of electricity monthly. This is due to the limited quantity of the long-term vesting contracts. To offer the regulated tariff to large consumers, which includes most MCSTs, SP would need to buy additional electricity from the Singapore Wholesale Electricity Market. This would cause the regulated tariff to rise. For MCST accounts and others who are not eligible for regulated tariffs, the Energy Market Authority (EMA) has worked with gencos and retailers to provide various contracting options. More information can be found at EMA's website: https://www.ema.gov.sg/electricity-contracting-options-consumers.aspx.”
“We have also launched initiatives to attract international travellers as travel rebounds. This includes SingapoReimagine, our international recovery campaign to drive bookings to Singapore. Through the campaign, STB will partner our tourism sector to enhance the overall visitor experience for travel to Singapore. We have also secured a robust pipeline of MICE events this year, including Asia Tech x Singapore, Global Health Security Conference, Seafood Expo Asia, FIND: Design Fair Asia, Food & Hotel Asia and ITB Asia. These events will collectively gather around 140,000 attendees in Singapore from now till the end of the year. We will also continue to host major sporting events, such as the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix, which we have extended for seven years until 2028. We are also ramping up our efforts to capture new traveller segments like sustainability and urban wellness. We launched the Tourism Sustainability Programme last month to help tourism businesses embark on, or expand, their sustainability efforts. We will also launch the inaugural Wellness Festival Singapore in June, which will bring together a suite of wellness offerings across Singapore. With these efforts, our tourism sector is well-positioned for recovery as we emerge from the pandemic. We will continue to monitor developments in the tourism sector and will adjust our support measures and initiatives, based on the needs of the sector.”
“Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been working closely with our tourism sector, to help it build resilience and position it for recovery and growth when travel resumes. For example, in the face of global travel restrictions due to the pandemic, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) launched the SingapoRediscovers campaign and SingapoRediscovers Vouchers (SRV) scheme to encourage Singaporeans to support our tourism operators, guides and businesses. Nearly S$300 million in SRV transactions were recorded, contributing directly to the top lines of our tourism establishments. SRV also spurred tourism establishments to enhance the variety and quality of our tourism offerings. STB also launched the Safe Business Event Framework in July 2020, to guide the industry in the implementation of COVID-19-safe approaches for MICE events. Last year, we trialled the resumption of large-scale events, such as the Bloomberg New Economy Forum, Gamescom Asia and Industrial Transformation Asia-Pacific. These successful events demonstrated Singapore's capability to conduct large-scale international MICE events safely, paving the way for us to host other globally significant events, such as the Singapore Airshow this February, which saw a strong turnout of close to 13,000 participants. Last month, I announced that the Government has earmarked close to half a billion dollars to support our tourism sector, including the MICE industry. We will continue to support the sector to develop its strategic manpower capabilities and accelerate our recovery plans. This support will continue even with the recent relaxation of travel restrictions, to help our tourism sector emerge stronger from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“I thank the Member for his question. It has been addressed by the reply to Questions 24 to 26 for oral answers during the 4 April 2022 Parliament sitting. [Please refer to "Singapore's Study into Feasibility of Nuclear Energy to Meet our Energy Needs", Official Report, 4 April 2022, Vol 95, Issue 60, Oral Answers to Questions section.]”
“Due to sanctions, restrictions and uncertainties in the Russian economy, Singapore companies operating in Russia may face foreign exchange losses and challenges in cross-border transactions, which could impact their cash flows and financial performance. The sanctions and restrictions imposed on Russia by Singapore are specific and targeted. They are aimed at constraining Russia’s capacity to conduct war against Ukraine. They prohibit transactions with four Russian banks and the financing of military goods and some dual-use goods for offensive cyber operations that are also subject to export controls in Singapore. Singapore's financial institutions and companies also have to manage the legal and operational risks from infringing sanctions imposed by several other jurisdictions on Russia where the sanctions have extraterritorial impact.”
“MTI and MHA have announced their intention to reopen the nightlife sector, including karaoke establishments, on 19 April 2022. The Safe Management Measures (SMMs) will include the five core parameters on group sizes; mask-wearing; workplace requirements; safe distancing; and capacity limits. For nightlife establishments where customers will be dancing, supervised Antigen Rapid Test (ART) will be required for customers before entering the premises.”
“The questions have been addressed during the Joint Ministerial Statement delivered by Minister Lawrence Wong and Minister Tan See Leng, on Inflation and Business Costs, on 4 April 2022. [Please refer to "Inflation and Business Costs", Official Report, 4 April 2022, Vol 95, Issue 60, Ministerial Statements section.]”
“These questions have been addressed during the Joint Ministerial Statement delivered by Minister Lawrence Wong and Minister Tan See Leng, on Inflation and Business Costs, on 4 April 2022. [Please refer to "Inflation and Business Costs", Official Report, 04 April 2022, Vol 95, Issue 60, Ministerial Statements section.]”
“Around one-third of carbon emissions are direct emissions from the refining and petrochemicals sector which accounts for the majority of industrial emissions from Jurong Island. The Sustainable Jurong Island report outlines our plans to transform Jurong Island into a Sustainable Energy and Chemicals Park and includes 2050 targets to achieve more than six million tonnes per annum of carbon abatement through the adoption of low-carbon solutions and to increase the output of sustainable products by four times from 2019 levels. Global companies in the refining and petrochemicals sector have also set climate targets to achieve net-zero by mid-century. Many of them have significant operations on Jurong Island. The Government is working closely with such companies on transiting to a low-carbon future. For example, EDB is supporting Sumitomo Chemical in exploring technologies to convert captured CO2 to chemicals.”
“Since the launch of the CDC Vouchers Scheme three months ago, more than 14,500 heartland merchants and hawkers are already participating in the scheme. The CDCs have been engaging the heartland merchants and hawkers since then and will continue to reach out to a broad cross section of heartland merchants and hawkers, ranging from daily necessities to essential goods and services. Ambassadors will also go around the heartlands to share about the CDC Vouchers Scheme and encourage the merchants and hawkers to participate in the scheme. Those who are interested can register with the CDCs at the website: vouchers.cdc.gov.sg or through their respective Merchants' Associations, Hawkers' Associations, or Business Advisers at SME Centres @ CDC. Ambassadors will visit the heartlands to share about the CDC Vouchers Scheme and encourage merchants and hawkers to participate in the scheme.”
“These questions have been addressed by the Ministerial Statements delivered by Minister Lawrence Wong and Minister Tan See Leng on 4 April 2022. [Please refer to "Inflation and Business Costs", Official Report, 4 April 2022, Vol 95, Issue 60, Statements by Minister for Finance and Second Minister for Trade and Industry section.]”
“Since 1985, the Government has made it mandatory for all new domestic premises and those that undertake rewiring works, including HDB flats, to install a RCCB as part of their electrical wiring installation. The RCCB will cut off electricity supply automatically in the event of an electricity leakage to protect the users. EMA strongly recommends all homeowners to periodically test their RCCB to ensure that they are functioning properly and to engage an LEW to replace them, if needed. EMA conducts periodic educational campaigns on electrical safety with agencies, such as HDB and Enterprise Singapore (ESG). For example, in July 2021, EMA had sent out information leaflets (https://www.ema.gov.sg/cmsmedia/Publications_and_Statistics/Publications/Handbooks%20and%20educational%20materials/Electrical-Safety-3-Steps-To-Test-Your-RCCB-Brochure.pdf) in utility bills to remind homeowners to test their RCCBs.”
“The Energy Market Authority (EMA) regulates electrical installations in Singapore via the Electricity (Electrical Installations) Regulations. These regulations require all electrical works, such as the installation of electrical wiring and residual current circuit breakers (RCCB), to be undertaken by a licensed electrical worker (LEW). The regulations also require the LEW to ensure that the electrical works meet the industry technical and safety requirements and standards. After the completion of the electrical installations, the LEW is required to apply to SP Group for inspection and testing of the installations. This is to ensure that they have been installed correctly and are safe and fit for operation, before the electricity supply can be turned on. For non-domestic premises, the owners/users are required to appoint an LEW to take charge of the electrical installations, which entails seeking a licence for electrical installations above 45kVA, and regular inspections and rectification works, if needed, to ensure the safe operation of the electrical installations. The frequency of inspection is at least once a year, with electrical installations in higher-risk settings or premises being subject to more frequent inspection and certification. For example, electrical installations at construction sites must be inspected monthly, while those in public areas and HDB estates’ common areas must be inspected at least once every six months. These requirements can be found at the following website: https://www.ema.gov.sg/cmsmedia/Handbook/Handbook_for_Application_of_Electrical_Installation_Licence.pdf. For domestic premises, there is no requirement for owners/users to appoint an LEW to take charge of the electrical wiring after they are installed.”
“The short answer is yes, we will take in the feedback from industries and to continue to refine our various schemes, including EFS-Green, so that they are relevant and are able to help the industries in embarking on this sustainability journey. But we also have to bear in mind that we have to also ensure that these schemes and these projects make sense and are viable, so that we have a sustainable outcome for the sustainable projects.”
“I mentioned this in my remarks earlier on that we have devoted quite a lot of resources into the development of technology and R&D. For example, I mentioned that, last year, we awarded $55 million of R&D projects under the Low-carbon Energy Research Funding Initiative to pursue R&D in low-carbon technologies, such as hydrogen. We are also consolidating the various institutions under A*STAR so that we can create greater synergy among these research efforts to focus on investment in the development of these technologies. But I must add that many of these technologies are still very nascent and they are in the developmental stage. We will need to continue to remain nimble and monitor their development, keep pace with their development not only in Singapore but globally, and explore collaboration with international institutions, research institutions, so that we are able to keep tabs on the latest development in the technology and seek collaboration in developing some of these capabilities. I also agree with the Member that it is important for us to also invest in building capability among our people, as well as I have also mentioned about training and upgrading. Minister Chan Chun Sing talked about education and how we equip our people to be able to invest their resources into R&D and also to capitalise on the employment opportunities that will be brought about by some of these emerging technologies.”
“Thank you. In fact, I mentioned this in my speech, that as we embark on projects on reducing our carbon emission as well as new projects like carbon capture and so on, it is very important for us to develop our capability in tracking and verification in auditing some of these carbon reductions that they claim. In time to come, we will work with the various industries to set standards and work out a system where we can verify the actual carbon emission and the carbon savings that they have achieved. So, it is something that we will continue to work with the industry on and to develop the standards for that. Miss Cheryl Chan also asked about how we embark on sandbox projects. EDB, ESG and A*STAR are working very closely with industries and looking at the various new technologies, new solutions. We welcome industries, companies or researchers who are interested in the respective areas of green projects to discuss with us. For the small and medium enterprises (SMEs), it would be easier for them to approach ESG to talk about potential projects and the various schemes that will be available that they can tap on to embark on these projects. And for the larger projects, like CCUS and so on, they can talk to EDB as well as A*STAR, which has a centre which I mentioned that they have set up with regard to carbon utilisation and technology.”
“Sir, I thank Mr Saktiandi Supaat for the question. In fact, banks do have exposure to carbon credits, for example, from trading in carbon credits arising from a market intermediary. Banks, therefore, can be exposed to the risk of losses arising from market movements in the price of carbon credits. Under the MAS' bank capital framework, banks' exposure to carbon credits are treated similarly as exposures to commodities. These attract a risk-weight of 187.5%. The risk-weight is agreed internationally in the capital standards promulgated by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and has been calibrated very carefully based on demonstrated riskiness of the commodities and carbon credits. So, we will have to be very careful in adjusting the risk-weighting for some of these assets because it may inadvertently expose the banks and financial institutions to unacceptable risks. We will continue to work with the financial institutions to see how we can better quantify the risks so that we can manage risk-weighting better.”
“I am pleased to hear of employers and workers coming forward to make use of these skills programmes. One such example is Mr Wang Yi Tian, a design engineer at SembCorp Marine (SCM). Mr Wang and seven of his colleagues enrolled in the CCP for Clean and Renewable Energy Professionals to undergo training in new offshore wind technologies. They will be future-skilled to take on job roles, such as supporting the construction and commissioning of overseas windfarms and windfarm substations. With these new skills, Mr Wang and his colleagues will be part of the team to expand SembCorp Marine's capabilities in renewable energy beyond our shores. We will continue to roll out new programmes to keep pace with the evolving needs of the transition to a green economy. This will enable our workers to benefit from the emerging green economy and low-carbon power sector. Mr Chairman, over the past five decades, Singapore's economy has built up significant strengths and competitive advantages. We have adapted to the various challenges and constantly reinvented ourselves to stay relevant in the regional and global economy. Our transformation to a low-carbon economy is yet another chapter in the Singapore story. It will be a challenging journey but an exciting one. The Government will partner our industries, businesses and workers as we undertake this journey. Together, we can navigate the transition, explore new ideas and forge new frontiers as we create a greener future for Singapore and for the world. [Applause.]”
“In November last year, A*STAR's Institute of Chemical Engineering and Sciences (ICES) worked with EDB and JTC to partner 13 energy and chemicals (E&C) stakeholders to study the development of a Carbon Capture and Utilisation Translational Testbed (CCUTT) to be housed on Jurong Island. CCUTT will facilitate the rapid evaluation and test-bedding of emerging carbon capture and utilisation technologies to accelerate industry adoption. This will complement our efforts to develop Jurong Island into a sustainable E&C park. To enhance the synergy of our R&D efforts in low-carbon technologies and solutions, A*STAR will reorganise key R&D capabilities across its institutes into a new Institute of Sustainability for Chemicals, Energy and Environment, or ISCE2. ISCE2 will advance research areas, such as carbon capture and utilisation, low-carbon hydrogen, carbon life-cycle accounting and synthetic biology, to pave the way for alternative green materials, products and processes to support Singapore's sustainability agenda. ISCE2 will continue to partner academia, public agencies and industry to contribute to Singapore's climate change goals. We look forward to reaping the fruits of these industry and international partnerships in time to come. Sir, as we transform our industries, we must also equip our people to seize upcoming opportunities in the transition to the green economy and low-carbon power sector, as Ms Mariam Jaafar and Prof Koh Lian Pin have highlighted. I shared about the reskilling and upskilling programmes offered by agencies in January. These include the Career Conversion Programme (CCP) for Clean and Renewable Energy Professionals by WSG and MAS' setting up of centres of excellence for training and research in green financing.”
“Low-carbon hydrogen will also become increasingly more accessible with the development of global supply chains and as technological developments make its transportation and use easier. The Government is, therefore, investing resources to understand and monitor the potential for hydrogen deployment in Singapore and exploring potential solutions. Last year, we awarded $55 million for R&D projects under the Low-Carbon Energy Research Funding Initiative to pursue R&D in low-carbon technologies, such as hydrogen. One of the projects supported involves NTU working with a consortium of companies comprising local enterprises, such as PSA and Sembcorp Industries, and international partners like Chiyoda Corporation and Mitsubishi Corporation. The consortium will seek to develop new technologies for the extraction of hydrogen from liquid organic hydrogen carriers. Another project involves NUS and NTU researchers collaborating with the industry to develop new catalysts to liberate hydrogen from ammonia in a more energy-efficient way. These have the potential to allow for more efficient and economical transport of hydrogen, which can, in turn, contribute to the expansion of global hydrogen supply chains and improve the viability of hydrogen as an alternative fuel. Another promising low-carbon technology is CCUS, which could be deployed to capture greenhouse gas emissions and keep them out of the atmosphere. Efforts are underway to make CCUS pathways a reality and we will put in place a robust verification system to ensure proper accounting of the carbon captured, as Mr Leon Perera mentioned.”
“Mr Chairman, as Ms Foo Mee Har and Ms Jessica Tan pointed out, innovation and the development of low-carbon solutions are key to sharpening Singapore's competitive advantage in the green economy and facilitating the energy transition. Some of these solutions, such as low-carbon hydrogen and carbon capture, utilisation and storage, or CCUS, have the potential to be a gamechanger, especially for the hard-to-abate sectors, such as energy and chemicals. However, the technology will take time to mature and become more commercially viable. The Government is studying how we can catalyse the development. Let me elaborate on hydrogen, which has, in recent years, emerged as a promising energy carrier in the global search for low-carbon fuels. Many of the technologies required to enable the production, transportation, storage and use of hydrogen at scale are still nascent and relatively costly today. Currently, there are also no commercially available utility-scale combined cycle gas turbines (CCGTs) that can use 100% hydrogen. Without significant retrofitting, only small amounts of hydrogen up to 5% by volume can be deployed. Another challenge is in transporting hydrogen in larger volumes over long distances as the technology to transport liquified hydrogen is not yet available. Alternative carrier forms of hydrogen, such as ammonia and liquid organic hydride carriers, are more easily transported but come with their own challenges, such as the need to extract the hydrogen from the carriers at the destination. We expect the costs of low-carbon hydrogen technologies to fall over time with technological advancements and greater economies of scale.”
“I agree with Ms Jessica Tan, Ms Mariam Jaafar and Ms Foo Mee Har that businesses which start early on the sustainability journey can gain a competitive advantage over those which are slow to do so. This is why, last year, the Government launched the Enterprise Sustainability Programme (ESP) to enable local enterprises to uplift their capabilities and capture opportunities in sustainability. The ESP provides support at three levels. First, to develop sustainability capabilities in enterprises through training and access to relevant tools and resources. Second, to strengthen sector-specific initiatives through partnerships with Trade Associations and Chambers (TACs) and corporates. And third, to foster a vibrant and conducive sustainability ecosystem by working with service providers and enablers in training, certification and provision of green financing. ESG has announced the roll out of the first series of ESP-Sustainability Courses for businesses which were developed in partnership with the Global Compact Network Singapore (GCNS), PwC Singapore and the Singapore Environment Council (SEC). Businesses are also making good use of the Enterprise Financing Scheme (EFS) - Green, which provides enterprises better access to green financing. For example, Durapower Group was extended a green trade loan of $6 million by HSBC Singapore. The loan will enable the Singapore tech company to accelerate the development and distribution of its high-tech energy storage solutions using lithium-ion batteries for the Tuas Port's automated guided vehicle fleet. I encourage more companies to tap on the ESP and EFS-Green.”