SINGAPORE - One of Singapore's oldest industrial estates will be revamped to support the transformation of traditional manufacturing industries as well as new growth sectors such as agri-tech and environmental technology.
Manufacturing has been a key part of Singapore’s industrial growth in the past and will continue to be part of its future, Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing said at the unveiling of the Sungei Kadut Eco-District Masterplan Exhibition at the Urban Redevelopment Authority Centre on Thursday. Almost 50 companies have confirmed interest in moving into these multi-user industrial facilities, which will span around 3.4 million sq ft in gross floor area and cost close to $650 million, said JTC Corporation, which is working on the masterplan for the industrial estate.
"It is very critical for us to design our industrial estates to be very responsive and adapt to these rapidly changing trends," she added at a briefing. Mr Sven Yeo, its co-founder and chief technology officer, said firms in the industry are facing two main challenges: Supply chain logistics and regulatory barriers.Shared services for agri-tech companies in the new Agri-Food Industrial Park at Sungei Kadut, such as combining the delivery of produce from a few farms, could boost efficiency for budding companies in the industry, Mr Yeo said.
JTC chief executive Ng Lang said manufacturing is changing rapidly with new needs for technology and talent, and future estates will be designed as mixed-use destinations to support this transformation.