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Speech For Mr Lim Swee Say, Minister With Prime Minister’s Office, At The Opening Ceremony Of Courts-Warehouse Retail On Wednesday, 13 Dec 2005, At 11.30am At The Tampines Site
Dr Seet Ai Mee, Chairman of Courts
Mr Terry O’Connor, MD, Courts
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
1. I am happy to join you here at the opening of Courts’ Warehouse Retail Scheme Store. Over the years, Courts has become an integral part of Singapore’s retail scene. Courts is known for providing its customers with quality and value.
2. Since the opening of first store in Orchard Road in 1974, Courts has expanded to nine stores throughout Singapore.
3. Today, we will unveil Courts’ Megastore at Tampines, your largest and most innovative store in Singapore to date. This Megastore is a significant project. It is also a win-win partnership for Courts and our Economy.
4. Courts is using this Megastore as its regional base to expand its operations in the Asia-Pacific. The WRS site is also the innovation centre for Courts in the region. From here, Courts is spearheading its regional businesses and developing new retail concepts, customer-focused tools and products. For example, Courts is setting up a regional research center for consumer finance here to develop new credit products for the region. Courts has also decided to centralize its marketing, human resource management, buying and IT activities in Singapore.
5. More significantly, Singapore will be the base from which Courts Singapore will expand its coverage in Asia Pacific, starting with China, Vietnam and Philippines. Courts Singapore will also explore new models of entry into markets such as the development of franchise models in Singapore.
6. The expansion of activities here by Courts reaffirms our attractiveness as a business and management hub in the Asia pacific. It will not only contribute to our Singapore Economy, but also benefit Singaporeans, especially those in the Tampines area. Together with the other two projects here at Tampines, Courts is committed to work closely with the Tampines and Pasir Ris business community and merchant associations to boost business cooperation and activities in the Tampines area as a whole.
7. These efforts will include joint organization of training workshops, promotional events, and job fairs. These will help upgrade retailing standards, increase consumer demand and strengthen job opportunities for our people. Courts is indeed a good role model and corporate citizen.
8. I understand that it has held sharing sessions for the merchants in this area to explore potential collaborations. Courts has also designated rent-free space in this building for Tampines merchants to showcase their products and services. I also want to take this opportunity to encourage merchants in this area to leverage on the infrastructure that Courts has developed to try out new ideas, and introduce your products and services to more customers in Singapore.
9. Working together, the business community and merchant associations in the area can take advantage of the presence of Courts here a win-win outcome for everyone.
10. The mission of Courts is to add value to people’s lives everyday. With this WRS project, I am happy to add that Courts is also adding to the vibrancy of the Singapore economy. I congratulate the management and staff of Courts Singapore on the successful launch of the WRS project, and the opening of Courts’ Megastore today here at Tampines. I wish you great success! |
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