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Speech by Mr Ko Kheng Hwa, Managing Director Singapore Economic Development Board, at the International Headquarters Award Ceremony for Solarworld AG on Friday, 27 April 2007 at 6pm at Fullerton Hotel
Mr Frank Asbeck, Founder & CEO, SolarWorld,
Mr Jörg Walberer, MD, SolarWorld Asia Pacific,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
1. A very warm welcome to Singapore!
2. I certainly hope it has been sunny these few days, as part of our value proposition for a major solar company like SolarWorld!
3. SolarWorld’s decision to site its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Singapore is very timely because we are now living in a world which urgently needs solutions on a global scale to address the issues of environmental sustainability.
4. At the same time, the Singapore government has recently announced big plans to grow the clean energy industry in Singapore.
5. Around the world, governments and companies are putting in place clean energy solutions, making environmentalism both an operational imperative and a core principle.
6. The developed nations such as Germany, Japan and the US have made clean energy solutions more accessible and viable by providing incentives for take-up.
7. Companies such as General Electric, Hewlett-Packard, DuPont, Honda and BP have also have committed to the “green cause” and are now investing significantly in clean energy projects.
8. SolarWorld’s phenomenal growth over the past few years, since its founding in 1998, is an excellent example of a company which has made the world a better place by offering clean energy solutions, while growing the company to great success.
9. Today, it is one of the top three solar companies in the world.
10. The company’s decision to site its Asia Pacific headquarters in Singapore is a major boost to our bid to be a major Clean Energy Hub - a place where clean energy companies and researchers can come to incubate, develop and produce solutions and products not only for Singapore, but also for the world.
11. SolarWorld joins the pioneering clean energy investments that the EDB has secured in the past two years in areas such as solar, fuel cells and wind.
12. Examples include Solar Energy Power, a German-Singapore joint venture which is building our first solar cell manufacturing plant; Vestas of Denmark, which is establishing a world-scale wind energy R&D centre here; and Rolls Royce which is investing US$100 million to conduct fuel cell R&D here with Singaporean partners.
13. Just recently, various government agencies in Singapore collectively committed S$350 million to the development of the clean energy industry here.
14. This includes S$170 million in R&D funding from the National Research Foundation.
15. Singapore can play a unique role in this industry and this region, and a comprehensive strategy has been put in place to grow the clean energy industry here.
16. First, we are building a vibrant clean energy enterprise ecosystem by drawing major international companies to Singapore, grooming local companies to be world-class players, and proliferating start-up ventures.
17. To support this, we are attracting clean technology venture funds to set up here.
18. Second, we are launching new initiatives to boost technology development in this industry, such as competitive bids for government funding for R&D projects and setting up world-class R&D centres.
19. Third, we are developing Singapore into a test-bed and lead user for innovative clean energy products and solutions.
20. Fourth, we are encouraging the generation and use of clean energy in government, businesses and the community.
21. And finally, as people are the vital resource who will drive this industry forward, we are grooming talent and manpower at all levels for the industry.
22. Clean energy companies can tap on our industrial capabilities in the electronics, precision engineering and chemical industries.
23. Coupled with our deep manufacturing knowhow, extensive supplier base and trusted intellectual property protection regime, Singapore provides an excellent base for activities ranging from technology development and test-bedding to manufacturing and headquarters activities.
24. Companies based in Singapore will be able to take advantage of our infrastructure, logistics capability and connectivity to easily reach out to serve the region, where many millions who are still living without grid-connected electricity and clean water.
25. Particularly in the area of solar, Singapore has a distinct advantage. We are strategically located to serve Asian sunbelt which has 50% more radiation than the temperate regions.
26. So, like SolarWorld’s tagline, almost “EveryDay is a SunDay” in Singapore!
27. Mr Asbeck, I read your message in the SolarWorld annual report – you said that your personal ambition is for SolarWorld to stand as a synonym for a solution against progressive climate change – ecologically clean, economically profitable and socially compatible.
28. This vision resonates with what we want Singapore to be.
29. As we continue to nurture the nascent clean energy industry in Singapore, I would like to invite world leaders like SolarWorld to join in further contributing knowledge and experience in clean energy solutions from Singapore.
30. Let me end by offering SolarWorld my warmest congratulations on receiving this International Headquarters Award.
31. I look forward to an increased presence by SolarWorld in Singapore soon!
32. Thank you.
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