ESS-EMA-NCCS ESSAY COMPETITION 2012

Identifying Opportunities and Powering Sustainable Growth in Singapore

Chiu Chai Hao

Singapore Armed Forces, Basic Military Training Centre, School 4

Abstract

Faced with challenges from growing resource constraints and threats from global climate change, there are nonetheless opportunities for Singapore to tap into. Leveraging on her socio-political stability, sound economic fundamentals and strong rule of law, Singapore is well-poised to obtain a global leadership in clean technology and urban management solutions. This is especially so with the urban populations projected to increase significantly in the near future, increasing the demand for this industry. Similarly, Singapore can become a centre for testbedding of clean technology and urban management, given our proximity to major markets and available infrastructure. Diversifying portfolio and exploring alternative energy sources are strategies towards achieving energy security, this essay advocates greater exploration into geothermal energy, a possibly neglected option. At the same time, innovative transport solutions such as experimenting with the bicycle-hire scheme will aim to alleviate the strains on public transport infrastructure, besides government investments. Eventually, while top-down approaches dominate the nature of policies in this essay due to the importance of government in this sector, education and involvement of the community since young helps to nurture a critical mass of talent pool and ensure the engagement of the locals in policy-making process.

Identifying Opportunities and Powering Sustainable Growth in Singapore

Climate Change and Energy Challenge: Threats to Singapore In a single decade, climate change has transformed from a conjecture to an inconvenient truth. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports that anthropogenic sources1 of greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions is the likely2 source of enhanced greenhouse effect best captured by the rising global carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations and average temperatures.3

Figure 1: This graph, based on the comparison of atmospheric samples contained in ice cores and more recent direct measurements, provides evidence that atmospheric CO2 has increased since the Industrial Revolution. (Source: NOAA, NASA)

Human activities that produce greenhouse gases (GHGs), such as burning of fossil fuels for electricity and in vehicles as well as deforestation. 2 With more than 90% confidence (Source: IPCC, AR4) 3 Global CO2 concentrations are higher than they have been in the past 650,000 years. The 2011 average annual concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere (from Mauna Loa Observatory) is 391.57 parts per million (ppm). Historically, CO2 concentrations in the last 650,000 years ranged from 180 to 300ppm, and has been on the rise since precise measurement of atmospheric CO 2 levels in 1958. o Correspondingly, global average temperatures have also risen by about 0.74 C in the last century (Sources: NASA, NOAA and IPCC, AR4)

Figure 2: Global Surface Temperatures on the Rise. Four independent sets of data from various institutes re-affirm the enhanced greenhouse effect which sees the Earth become warmer. (Sources: NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, NOAA National Climatic Data Centre, Met Office Hadley Centre/Climatic Research Unit and the Japanese Meteorological Agency) A small, low-lying, island-city, Singapore is vulnerable to the effects of global climate change. 4 Higher temperatures, saltwater intrusion due to rising sea levels, loss of biodiversity and risks of food shortages are few of the multi-faceted impacts of climate change. This global crisis will reduce our quality of living and bring about huge economical impacts, ecological effects notwithstanding. Being highly dependent on imported energy is yet another concern for Singapore. With rising world energy demand in recent years 5 , given the price-inelastic nature of demand and
4 2

Due to both the small land are (778 km ) and low relief, where most of it less than 15m above sea level. 5 Economic growth and increased economic activities results in the increasing demand for energy, led by the emerging economies, in particular China.

supply, fossil fuel prices have increased sharply. With the trend likely to remain for the near future, the rising energy costs pose a serious challenge to Singapores economic competitiveness and growth.6

Opportunities in Sustainable Development and Recommended Policies When written in Chinese, the word "crisis" is composed of two characters one represents danger, and the other represents opportunity. - John Fitzgerald Kennedy

As the Economic Strategies Committee outlined, Singapore needs to become a smart energy economy that is resilient, sustainable and innovative to overcome the challenges and seize the opportunities in a sustainable growth path. While a sustainable growth path offer a plethora of opportunities, this essay propose strategies that the writer deems to be more relevant to Singapore. Gains from a Sustainable Growth Path Benefits from a sustainable growth path are far-reaching. While diversifying portfolio achieves energy security that underpins price stability, increasing energy efficiency helps to reduce firms operating costs and households living costs. These cost savings helps to achieve critical resource productivity gains that Singapore is in need of.7

With cost-push inflation increasing industrial and living costs, an inflationary spiral can be triggered. At the same time, the reduced cost-competitiveness could result in lower chances of MNCs relocating to Singapore. Higher food and energy costs, by increasing costs of living, have the potential to widen income disparity. 7 Productivity-led growth has been oft-heard in local economic discourse. Indeed, there is significant room for improvement in productivity. In manufacturing and services, Singapores productivity levels lie at 55-65% of the US and Japan, in the retail sector, productivity is a mere third of the levels in the US. (Source: Economic Strategies Committee)

Moreover, adopting a sustainable growth path, as will be explored later, confers Singapore with a competitive advantage 8 that allows her to benefit from the growing industry by developing her niche in the area.

i.

Achieving Energy Security Diversification and Increasing Energy Efficiency

As an energy price-taker, diversifying her energy portfolio and increasing energy efficiency are the main thrusts that could insulate her from future price hikes. Government policies are important in ensuring the diversification of energy portfolio since the free market will tend towards the lowest cost solutions. Also, the government and government-linked corporations, by investing in the critical mass and providing for the high upfront costs, can lower the entry barriers and make the market more attractive for firms and providers. Infrastructure such as long-distance, high-voltage cables to import and export electricity from the region allow us to tap into the renewable energy sources of the region (e.g. hydroelectricity from the Mekong region).9 Looking into renewable energy for diversification, Singapore has limited options. The lack of major river systems, low wind speeds (below commercially-viable speeds) and limited land and sea space makes hydro, wind and tidal energy non-economical. Solar energy, meanwhile, remain as the focus of alternative energy development programmes given Singapores high insolation.

A country gaining competitive advantage refers to it becoming more competitive in the specific industry by exploiting economies of scale and agglomeration advantages. 9 This is modelled after the successful Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Terminal, which has drawn huge demand even before its completion in 2013. The LNG Terminal allows LNG to be imported and exported from and to the region, making Singapore a regional gas hub. (Sources: http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_766378.html, http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_766097.html) The cable will also allow Singapore to explore nuclear energy (generated by neighbouring country) while allaying safety concerns.

Even though renewable energy achieves security and sustainability, it is still unlikely to replace conventional energy sources given the high, albeit falling costs of production. Thus renewable energy (mainly solar) should constitute a small, but consistently increasing portion of total energy. Support for R&D efforts, test-bedding programmes will continue to grow in view of the opportunities arising from them, as will be covered later. Steady development in the relevant infrastructure allows Singapore to seize the opportunity to stepup energy production once solar power is more economically feasible than conventional sources.10 (See Appendix 1) Besides considering the feasibility of nuclear energy, the government should also commission a study on the feasibility of geothermal energy in Singapore. Both are lessexplored options, but the latter is relatively cleaner, cheaper and less controversial. 11 However, the perspectives on the potential on geothermal energy are divided. While the National Climate Change Secretariat states that prospects are low and uncertainties are high 12 , Geography and Environmental Engineering professors in National University of Singapore suggest the contrary, advocating a structured, comprehensive S$2 million feasibility study13. Simultaneously, increasing energy efficiency as a demand-management policy allow more to be achieved with less. Under the Sustainable Development Blueprint by the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Sustainable Development (IMCSD), Singapore aims to increase energy
10 11

Solar Power is expected to become cheaper than conventional sources by 2015. See Appendix 3. While technology may have improved the safety of nuclear generators, there is still a need for proper disposal of radioactive waste which constitute a high variable cost. Public resistance is also likely to be strong for nuclear projects tend to bring the spectre of Chernobyl, Three Mile Island and recently, Fukushima. Similar concerns have already been raised ever since the government announced that it will look into the feasibility of nuclear energy. 12 The governments stance on geothermal energy, represented by the NCCS. Source: http://app.nccs.gov.sg/page.aspx?pageid=113 13 With world-class high heat flow (of high temperatures 2km underground) and hot springs together with new, cheaper technology, geothermal energy (the authors allege) has the potential to provide electricity, cooling, heating and desalination facilities that are strategic to Singapore. Nonetheless, a feasibility study is required to ascertain the costs and dangers (such as human-triggered seismic activities) that could result. Source: http://esi.nus.edu.sg/docs/event/oliver-egs-hsa-concept-forsingapore-ppt-sg$-ppt-for-chevron.pdf?Status=Master

efficiency (energy use by S$GDP) by 35% from 2005 levels by 2030. As alluded to by the Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change, the key drivers of policies to ensure energy efficiency are that of credibility, certainty for they provide strong signals on the determination of the government, compelling the private sector to become energy-efficient. In this light, the government should lead the private sector in the adoption of energy efficient technology, policy and practices. For instance, the government could set the standards for energy audit schemes that are gradually introduced to firms before making them mandatory. Hence, Singapore should provide relevant platforms (such as audit firms) for the private sector to adopt public sector initiatives. Sharing of knowledge, best practices and establishing partnerships between SMEs and firms in the private sector could prove beneficial here, especially with the introduction of the Energy Conservation Act.14 Greater energy efficiency across the sectors allow firms to be more cost-effective, achieving gains in resource productivity and making them more resilient in face of resource constraints.

ii.

Promoting R&D Clean Energy and Green Technology

Given that science is a crucial part of innovation, Singapore should capitalize on its strengths in science and engineering, advanced R&D infrastructure and continue to invest heavily in scientific research, especially in the areas of clean technology and urban management. 15 Singapores unique conditions, coupled with the growth opportunities stated earlier, brings about growth potential for innovative solutions from our R&D efforts.
14

The Energy Conservation Act is slated to be introduced and enforced in FY2013. By mandating energy management practices, the act will focus the companies attention on energy issues, and complement existing schemes and capability building programmes which provide support for companies investing in energy efficiency. Countries such as Japan, Korea and Denmark already require such practices. 15 Siemens Picture of the Future (PoF) process identified seven research programmes that could be recommended under the Sustainable Development theme Waste Management, Sustainable Manufacturing, Sustainable Fuels, Chemicals and Materials, Solar PV, Green Buildings, Energy Storage, and Intelligent Eco-city Infrastructure & Systems.

Singapores strong engineering base will allow it to branch out to meet the demands of sustainable growth paths. However, greater focus will have to be placed on R&D in clean technology and urban management solutions. This is by no means an easy task. As research on environment and sustainability issues are often and increasingly

multidisciplinary, Singapore should provide more grants for its interdisciplinary research institutes, and focus on capability-building for the future. Capability-building, as will be described later, will begin primarily through environment and sustainability education.

iii.

Global Exporter of Clean Technology and Urban Solutions

The global low-carbon industry is growing with greater awareness of the environmental challenges.16 With climate change rearing its ugly head and rapid urbanisation in emerging economies (particularly in Asia) requiring efficient urban solutions, 17 scaling up existing investments in clean technology and sustainable industries 18 will help Singapore seize opportunities for research, businesses and jobs. This essay identifies export of clean technology and urban solutions as a key industry Singapore should establish a niche in, especially with her proximity to Asian markets and advantages in the region.19 Singapore should establish a competitive advantage in this niche area. Her unique geographical location allows businesses and investments from the West to reach the Asian markets with ease. Close to some of the largest tropical rainforests and sprawling urban centres, there are huge opportunities for R&D in the worlds oldest and most biologically

16 17

The ESC expects growth rates of 12% until 2020. In fact, energy efficiencies in emerging markets are lower than that of developed economies. China, for one, is three times more inefficient than the United States of America. 18 Specifically industries such as, but not limited to waste management, alternative (solar) energy, water reclamation, pharmaceuticals (from the diverse plant products in tropical rainforests), ecobiology, sustainable forestry, environmental consultation and urban planning. 19 The UN estimates urban population globally to nearly double from 3.3 billion (2007) to 6.4 billion (2050) with more than half of this increase to take place in Asia. Source: UN World Urbanisation Prospects: The 2007 Revision.

diverse lowland forests for natural products as well as urban management solutions. 20 Leveraging on her business friendly environment, strong R&D infrastructure, socio-political stability and sound intellectual property environment that other regional cities have yet to rival will allow Singapore to develop her aforementioned niche to meet the burgeoning demand from developed economies and emerging markets. Aligning itself with consumer markets of the future allow Singapore to remain economically competitive and relevant. While developed economies efforts in reducing budget and trade deficits will result in sluggish growth and declining trade importance, they are still significant for their technological edge and share of global GDP. Developing economies, meanwhile, represent the next wave of opportunities.21 Increased integration within ASEAN will improve access to neighbouring markets, allowing ASEAN, with 601 million potential consumers to Singapores 5 million to become an economic hinterland for Singapore. 22 As the region moves towards greater economic development, economic opportunities in exporting sustainable solutions and expertise are indeed immense. Already home to some 7000 companies, endeavours to attract MNCs and other Globally Competitive Companies (GCCs) should continue, especially for the clean energy and sustainable development sector. Singapore can become a high-end manufacturing, services and consultation hub in this area by attracting MNCs and GCCs into Singapore, integrating local SMEs as part of the supply chain or strategic partners. Expansion of this industry will not only enhance export competitiveness, employment and growth, but also the inherent
20

Tropical Rainforests in Borneo, Peninsula Malaysia and Sumatra, up to 70 million years old, are hotbeds of biological products. (Source: http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/se_asian_rnfrst.htm). While burgeoning cities in Indonesia, Philippines and even China present future demands for urban management solutions. 21 The IMF January 2012 World Economic Outlook forecasts that emerging economies will grow by 5.4% this year and 5.9% in 2013, as compared to developed economies, estimated to grow at 1.2% and 1.9% in 2012 and 2013. 22 ASEAN, with its combined GDP of US$1.8 trillion, would rank as the ninth-largest economy in the world. Source: EC.Europa.eu, European Union Relations with ASEAN. Retrieved 29 October 2010. Moreover, with most of its member countries being on-track for economic development such as Indonesia, and notable Myanmar following her successful elections last month, growth potential of the region is huge.

capacity of the country through technology and skills transfer. Sharing of best-practices and energy efficiency schemes can achieve cost-savings and critical productivity gains for foreign and local firms alike. Hence relevant statutory boards should actively nurture the business-friendly environment through incentives and schemes. Yet the road ahead is not free of challenges. China has already signalled intention to develop the profitable green industry as well, with generous state subsidies indicative of her interest to become a global leader in this field. However, intellectual property rights remain as the key deterrent of FDI from innovative industries into China. This makes it critical for Singapore to step-up her efforts in pursuing the sustainable growth path. As a platform to Asian markets, Singapore can also act as a consultation services hub for firms seeking to invest in the region. Consultancy companies in consumer-related fields23 can be attracted or nurtured to provide upstream research on consumer trends and demands in the Asian markets, as well as data-gathering and consumer-prototyping. Local universities and think tanks could play a part in improving the investors understanding of the region, such that products and services are tailored to suit the Asian markets.

iv.

Global Testbed Centre for Clean Technology

The compact 24 and highly urbanized nature of Singapore makes it an ideal site for testbedding, experimentation and modification (as the ESC describes, the living lab) before commercialising and exporting the improved technology. It has been estimated that by 2030 two-thirds of the world population will live in urban centres, clear evidence of the growing demand for urban management solutions to house the population without straining the capacity of urban infrastructure.

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such as marketing, branding, design, consumer research, market intelligence and analytics; 2 In being the country with the highest population density in the world, at 7,257 persons/km . (Source: Singstat)

Singapore is in good position as a pilot city for pilot-scale integrated systems to be built and trailed. Key precincts, such as the Marina Bay District, Treelodge@Punggol and Jurong Lake District have already become such test-bed centres. 25 In these centres, new concepts and prototypes developed at research centres and universities in collaboration with private sector partners can applied through government-supported test-bedding programs before their entry into regional and global markets. Leveraging on the abovementioned strengths of Singapore as a platform to Asian markets, we are able to (1) benefit from the range of sophisticated, cutting-edge urban solutions, (2) obtain new avenues of economic growth, (3) buttress the expertise in the related sectors of research, engineering and consultancy services and (4) assist the development of local SMEs in partnership with MNCs and GCCs. These benefits are evident from the successful example of aerospace industry. (See Appendix 2)

v.

Managing and Improving Transport Infrastructure

Developing a world-class transport system has been the main thrust of transport sustainability in land-scarce Singapore, since public transport impose a smaller ecological footprint than private transport. Yet recently, frequent disruptions to train services and alleged stresses to the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) infrastructure have put public transport under-fire, especially since MRT is the main mode of communication. While the ongoing Committee of Inquiry will prescribe necessary preventive measures, we need to recognise that the total population increase has been too fast for the pace of development, construction and opening of new MRT lines.26

25

Jurong Lake District, named by IBM as Smarter Cities Challenge Grant Recipient for 2012, is a beneficiary of such international efforts for sustainable solutions in cities. (Source: http://www.ura.gov.sg/pr/text/2012/pr12-29.html) 7 May 2012. 26 Average MRT and Bus riderships reached 2,069,000 and 3,199,000 trips daily in 2010. (Source: Land Transport Authority, 2011)

In terms of supply, replacement schedule for buses presents opportunities as half the bus fleet needs to be replaced by 2016. 27 Adoption of clean and efficient engines for public buses should be mandated by government and subsidised if necessary, since the buses would cost more. This help to reduce costs for public transport operators, giving them greater capacity to absorb cost increases before raising fares. 28 Other benefits accrued transcend the financial aspect too. The Public Transport Council (PTC), for one, can assist the government to enforce minimum efficiency standards on the operators. This essay also proposes the slow adoption of a nation-wide cycling program to complement the current public transport system. Bicycle tracks linking residential estates to key transport nodes such as MRT stations and key bus-stops allow commuters to reduce their carbon footprint and avoid congestion (and reducing congestion simultaneously). More bicycle stands and enhanced security features would be the first phase of the program, before developing into the bicycle-hire schemes seen in London and Dublin today.29 A residential estate can be the first for testbedding of the new scheme, and public feedback, recommendations and improvements collected will allow smoother implementations at other estates in the future.

vi.

Encouraging Community Participation and Stewardship through Education

This essay proposes environment and sustainability education, introduced to all sectors of the society ranging from pre-schools, schools, institutions and communities to engage a broad base of the population.

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5 years from the publication of the ESC report. Alternatively, recognising the governments budgetary constraints, regulatory measures can be put in place, mandating a fixed percentage of profits to be directed towards fleet replacement and specifying energy efficiency standards for new buses purchased. At the same time, PTC reviews have to avoid significant increases in transport fares simply due to adoption of more efficient cars. 29 Dublinbikes is one of the most successful bike rental schemes in the world, with more than 58,000 subscribers and 2.2m rentals. Success is attributed to the low costs that encourages adoption by both visitors and residents alike, as well as the enthusiasm of the locals. (Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/bike-blog/2011/aug/04/dublin-bike-hire-scheme)

Currently, the concepts of environmental protection and sustainable development are integrated into the different mainstream subjects such as Social Studies and Geography. While this is still a reasonable approach, this essay also urges relevant authorities to study the feasibility of introducing the interdisciplinary subject of Environment and Sustainability Studies from Primary to Tertiary levels. Greater experimentation and innovation freedom should also be encouraged - students should to be allowed to propose, initiate and conduct projects in their schools with relevant support, or at least without excessive interference or restrictions. By imparting comprehensive knowledge about this subject, it plays a critical role for Singapore to nurture a greater talent pool in this growing industry. Also, to equip students, adults and elderly citizens with knowledge on sustainable development and energy conservation methods also allow the government to achieve her goals of energy efficiency through a broad-based approach and enable the population to better appreciate and participate in related policies. While most of the approaches mentioned earlier are top-down approaches that have been the main mode of policy processes so far, recent political trends in Singapore has seen a greater demand for engagement of the locals in the policy processes.30 Bottom-up approaches in policy-making is gaining traction locally, and rightly so as it involves and reflects the interests and insights of the relevant stakeholders. vii. Singapore: Attractive, Green, Competitive.

Technology and talent are the twin drivers of future growth. While Singapore is building up our technology and innovation capacity, adopting the sustainable growth path will make Singapore an attractive talent destination. Sustainable growth path ensures that Singapore is an attractive and dynamic global city for people to work, live and play in. As foot-loose top talents settle and assimilate into Singapore, they bring along with them diverse economic and business opportunities.
30

As can be seen from the recent issues surrounding the land from the disused KTM rail and Bukit Brown Cemetery.

Conclusion Adaptation is a multi-dimensional process and any shifts will involve overcoming inertia. The new areas require new capabilities and skills from the workforce, but a successful shift will enable Singapore to sustain growth with higher productivity while creating quality jobs with good wage growth for the majority of the population. Thus the government, while attracting MNCs and GCCs, will also have nurture her inherent capacity that enable local SMEs to compete and own a genuine stake in Singapores future growth from a sustainable growth path. Meanwhile, as with economic restructuring efforts, the transition will bring greater uncertainty and challenges. The government should be ready to offer assistance to the vulnerable groups in the economy, minimizing the impact of the transition, for instance, through skills retraining and upgrading. In sum, Singapore has the potential to be the trendsetter and leader in a sustainable growth path, tapping on her unique economic nature. Also, this essay envision the government as an enabler and facilitator of this shift, as government policy remains crucial though there needs to be greater shift towards bottom-up policies. However, this is not to suggest the government to replace the free market, but rather to assist it through policy incentives.

Appendix 1 Increasing Economic Feasibility of Solar Power Over the past decade, the capital cost of PV in Singapore and other countries have fallen dramatically (see Figure 4), while fossil fuel energy costs continue to rise. Grid parity31 has already occurred in some international markets, and can be expected in Singapore. It is very likely that grid parity in Singapore is expected to be achieved by 2015, and cost parity32 to be achieved by 2020.

Figure 3: Price experience curve (learning curve) for silicon wafer based photovoltaic modules. World market prices are shown as a function of the global cumulative shipment (logarithmic scales). The red line represents price reductions according to a learning factor of 0.8, i.e. a price reduction by 20% for each doubling of the shipment. The strong reduction of prices is due to: (1) economies of scale; (2) optimisation of production in industry; (3) reduced company margins in the course of the economic crises and (4) a multitude of highly essential innovations from R&D. Source: A*STAR

31

Grid parity is the point where renewable electricity is equal to or cheaper than wholesale electricity cost. 32 Cost parity: Parity with the price of traditional fossil fuels. Does not include grid charges

Appendix 2 Singapores Successful Aerospace Cluster Example The Aerospace Cluster in Singapore is a fast growing one with good sustainable prospects. Singapores aerospace industry grew from US$13 billion in 2000 to more than double in 2008 with an estimated figure of approximately US$27 billion, with CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) of over 10%. This 10% CAGR is expected to continue to 2020. This sector is anchored by world leading companies such as ST Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, GE and Rolls-Royce. In particular, Singapore is well recognised as an MRO (MaintenanceRepair-Overhaul) hub with a quarter of Asia Pacs market share, or 7 to 8 percent of the global market. This makes the strong case for close, strategic partnership and integration of SMEs with the MNCs and GCCs. The success of the sector is tied closely to the early-years investment in technologies such as materials sciences, physics, precision engineering and electronics. These traditional strengths enabled Singapore to enter into the high value-add activities of manufacturing the engine parts, avionics and airframe parts, and provide the supporting services such as inspection and testing. As a consequence, the skilled employment in this cluster has tripled to over 10,200 in 2002 2008, of which 80% of the workforce is made up of Singaporeans and Permanent Residents.

A*STAR Aerospace Consortium To further strengthen the strategic alliances of the players within cluster, and sustain technology leadership and efficacy through R&D, the A*STAR Aerospace Consortium was launched in Jan 2007. This is the worlds first-of-its-kind aerospace consortium comprising the four aerospace giants of Boeing, Pratt and Whitney and Rolls-Royce and A*STAR Research Institutes as founding members, and it is the first time that the in-competition giants are collaborating on a common platform to chart R&D strategy and direction in the

aerospace industry. The consortium not only actively engages industry players as well as R&D community, but also taps on existing capabilities, infrastructure and resources in all the research institutes under the Science & Engineering Research Council of A*STAR to conduct pre-competitive research and address technological challenges in various aspects. Members, including the SMEs, have full access to the R&D results developed under the programme and have the option of attaching their company staff to the programme to work on joint projects with researchers from SERC research institutes. This lays the ground for innovation in the global aerospace industry through Singapore-made technologies, facilitates eventual technology transfer of the research conducted, and presents opportunities for our local supporting industries to build new capabilities that will anchor global players in Singapore. Source: A*STAR