Energy, chemicals industry to play key role in Singapore's growth: PM Lee

Dylan Loh Channel NewsAsia 9 Oct 14;

SINGAPORE: The energy and chemicals industry will continue to play an important role in Singapore's future growth, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Thursday (Oct 9).

Speaking at the inaugural Honorary Partner in Progress Award presentation at the Istana, Mr Lee said that with Singapore's developed petrochemical and specialty chemical ecosystem, prospects for the sector are good.

The award, presented to Dutch oil giant Shell, is the Government's highest honour to recognise firms’ contributions to Singapore. Shell is a pioneer investor in the country, setting up Singapore's first oil storage installation in 1891 and first oil refinery in 1961. Prime Minister Lee said the oil giant continues to be a good partner to Singapore after over a century of contributions.

Royal Dutch Shell Chief Executive Ben van Beurden said Singapore has been a good base as well. “With the talented workforce that this country boasts, with the stability and the business-enabling environment that it offers, global companies will continue to see it as an exemplary host and ally".

He also presented Mr Lee with a memento. In a Facebook post on Thursday, Mr Lee said he was given a 3D-printed model of "a new species (the Indopinnixa shellorum), discovered at St John’s Island in a marine biodiversity survey that Shell had funded."

3D-printed model of a crab presented to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong by Shell CEO Ben van Beurden. (Photo: Lee Hsien Loong)

Mr Lee also noted the energy and chemicals industry provides good jobs and career pathways for Singaporeans. He said this can be done in collaboration with the SkillsFuture Council, which is tasked with enhancing training and career progression prospects for Singaporeans.

Noting that it is a resource-intensive sector, he said that the Government will ensure a supply of land for the sector's further development. At the same time, he encouraged companies to optimise their use of land, citing the recently opened Jurong Rock Caverns for oil storage as an example.

Mr Lee also called on the sector to support Singapore’s environmental sustainability efforts by reducing their emissions. The Government will continue to work with firms to develop the industry sustainably, and make it worthwhile for companies to operate in Singapore for the long term, he said.

- CNA/cy

Shell gets award for being a partner in Singapore's progress
Chia Yan Min The Straits Times AsiaOne 12 Oct 14;

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong presented the Honorary Partner in Progress award to Shell yesterday at an Istana ceremony attended by 50 guests, including British High Commissioner Antony Phillipson and Dutch Ambassador Jacques Werner.

Shell is the first company to win the award, which recognises corporations for their investments in and contributions to the country. The accolade is given to past recipients of the Distinguished Partner in Progress award that have continued to strengthen their commitment to Singapore. Thirty- one firms have received this award.

Shell set up in Singapore in 1891 when it built the island's first oil storage installation on Pulau Bukom, originally a mangrove swamp. The Dutch- based company also established Singapore's first oil refinery in 1961. It employs around 3,200 staff.

The Shell Eastern Petrochemicals Complex, which spans Pulau Bukom and Jurong Island, is the company's largest refinery and petrochemicals hub in the world.

Mr Lee said at the ceremony that the energy and chemicals industries will continue to play a key role in Singapore's growth.

More than $13 billion has been invested in plants on Jurong Island since last year, creating more than 1,200 skilled jobs. But these sectors are resource-intensive - they occupy a significant amount of industrial land and have an environmental impact, he added.

Singapore will ensure a supply of land for future development and also find ways to optimise land use - for instance, by using the Jurong Rock Caverns for underground oil storage.

It will do its part as a "responsible member of the international community" to reduce emissions and meet climate change obligations, Mr Lee said.

"The Government will continue to work with companies to develop the industry sustainably, and make it worthwhile to operate in Singapore for the long term."

Mr Mirza Mohd Sallah, 42, a production unit manager who has been with Shell since 1996, said the firm has been supportive of his training and development.

Mr Mirza, who was at the ceremony yesterday, has been promoted 11 times over the past 18 years. He joined Shell as a process technician with a polytechnic diploma.

He earned an engineering degree from the University of Wolverhampton in 1999 and now oversees a team of 30.

He said his time at Shell has "fulfilled (his) aspirations to be a leader" and helped him "grow (his) network globally".
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