Chen Huifen, Business Times 24 Apr 08;
(SINGAPORE) China's Chongqing government is keen to tap Singapore's expertise in urban planning, public administration and economic development.
During a meeting between Singapore and Chongqing officials yesterday, Chongqing Communist Party secretary Bo Xilai expressed hope that Singapore will play a major role in Chongqing's remaking, such as building a park comparable to the Suzhou Industrial Park.
The former Chinese minister of commerce even briefed Singapore's Minister of State for Trade and Industry Lee Yi Shyan on the city's ambitious five-year plan to transform itself into a leading economic and transport hub for western China.
Summarising the potential the Chinese city offers, Mr Lee said: 'The Chongqing government has set aside about $40 billion (200 billion yuan) for infrastructure investments in the next five years. It also hopes to raise another $320 billion through the private sector to invest in industry, housing and other city improvement projects in the same period.
'Every year, Chongqing needs to build new housing for 500,000 people (about the size of two Toa Payohs) to cater to an ultimate city population of 10 million.
'All these efforts of remaking the city would mean many opportunities for Singapore companies in urban planning, real estate development, logistics services, education and environmental services.'
Mr Lee is in Chongqing with a business delegation following an official trip to Jiangsu. The delegation, consisting of representatives from more than 30 companies, will take part in today's Chongqing-Singapore City Planning Networking Session.
Organised by IE Singapore, the Singapore Business Federation, Chongqing Municipality Foreign Affairs Office and Chongqing Urban Planning Bureau, the networking session will showcase Singapore's experience in urban development. The visiting Singapore companies are largely from the infrastructure and real estate, information technology, education, financial services, transport and logistics, and tourism sectors.
Mr Lee is accompanied by Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Transport and Community Development, Youth and Sports Teo Ser Luck, MP and CEO of Business China Singapore Sam Tan, and officials from the Ministry of Trade and Industry, IE Singapore, Economic Development Board and the Singapore Tourism Board.
After Tianjin, Singapore-Nanjing 'mini eco-city' mooted
Tracy Quek, Straits Times 24 Apr 08;
BEIJING - A MAJOR Singapore-China eco-city project is under way in the northern city of Tianjin, and soon a second one, albeit on a smaller scale, could spring up in the south.
Minister of State for Trade and Industry Lee Yi Shyan, who is in China for a week-long visit, has proposed that Singapore companies collaborate with Nanjing city, the capital of southern Jiangsu province, to build a 'mini eco-city' that will be one-tenth the size of the 30 sq km Tianjin project.
He mooted the idea during his meeting with Nanjing Mayor Jiang Hongkun on Tuesday, in response to Mr Jiang's request that both sides deepen ties by working together on iconic projects.
Another city hoping to take relations with Singapore a step further through joint projects is Chongqing.
Yesterday in his talks with Mr Lee, Chongqing party secretary Bo Xilai said he hoped Singapore would play a major role in the municipality's 'remaking' over the next five years, such as 'building a park of impact comparable to the Suzhou Industrial Park'.
Mr Bo, formerly China's commerce minister, said he had worked with Singapore for many years and appreciated the Republic's expertise in urban planning, public administration and economic development.
Noting that the Chongqing government plans to invest billions in infrastructure, industry and other projects to transform the sprawling metropolis into western China's leading economic and transportation hub, Mr Lee said Singapore companies would be able to seize opportunities in urban planning, real estate development, education and environmental services.
Mr Lee arrived in China on Sunday and made Jiangsu his first stop. He will spend a second day in Chongqing today before heading to central Hubei province.
As for his suggestion of an eco-city project with Nanjing, Mr Lee, who is also the co-vice-chairman of the Singapore-Jiangsu Cooperation Council, said: 'Industrial parks are passe now. Environmental protection is a big issue in China so it makes sense to do something in this area.'
An eco-city project also ties in with Nanjing's push to reduce its reliance on manufacturing, which accounts for 60 per cent of its gross domestic product, and to boost its services sector.
Mr Lee envisions the project as a small township built from scratch on a plot of land outside Nanjing's city centre. Residents there will engage in mainly service-sector jobs, including software development and research and development.
Singapore companies will also have opportunities in environmental services, urban planning and housing, he said.
This replicates the Tianjin eco-city model, which will focus on building a city where vibrant economic activity does not come at the expense of the environment.
The Tianjin project will take shape over the next 10 to 15 years, and will eventually house at least 300,000. The Nanjing eco-city will occupy an area of between 3 sq km and 6 sq km.
A consortium of Singapore companies to develop the project could be set up in the next three months, said Mr Lee. He has already sounded out two large companies which could potentially lead the group, he said, but declined to reveal names.
The project, he added, will be the 'largest in terms of impact' to date between Singapore and Nanjing, a city of about six million inhabitants.
