Explore new industries such as urban farming, solar power: Leon Perera

In his adjournment motion speech in Parliament, the NCMP suggested the authorities be more proactive in grooming local SMEs to develop new technology.
Kenneth Lim Channel NewsAsia 1 Mar 16;

SINGAPORE: In his adjournment motion speech in Parliament on Tuesday (Mar 1), Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Leon Perera said Singapore could explore, invest in, and export new industry sectors such as urban farming or generating solar power.

He also said the authorities should be more proactive in grooming local Small and Medium Enterprises to develop new technology.

"We hope these suggestions would lead to more fact-finding on the part of the relevant Government agencies, working with academia and the private sector, so as to develop these two sectors as engines for economic and non economic benefits for Singapore," Mr Perera said.

"We are at our best when we apply ourselves to overcoming our natural limitations," he added.

In response, Parliamentary Secretary for Trade and Industry Low Yen Ling said the Ministry was working with the Ministry of National Development and the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore to grow these emerging industries.

She said the Committee of the Future Economy is also looking at identifying other new sectors: "We are moving into adjacent growth areas, and all this, some of these benefits extend beyond direct economic impact and present exciting potential with room to grow."

- CNA/mz