Speech at The Official Opening of The Employment Pass Services Centre

Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Manpower, Employment Pass Services Centre

Introduction

1.   It gives me great pleasure to join you today for the official opening of the Employment Pass Services Centre.

Foreign Talent Attract Investments

2.   Singapore has established a strong reputation as a great place to do business. Since 2005, we have been featured consistently as one of the top three countries in the World Competitiveness Yearbook rankings . We have maintained our ranking in both boom and bust times, a testimony to the international recognition given to the way we have managed our economy. This is not by chance.

3.   A cornerstone of this success is our strategy on talent. As a country with limited natural resources, our future depends on our ability to grow, attract and retain talent. Businesses in the global economy today move to where talent and skilled manpower are readily available. The Singaporean workforce is highly educated. We have a literacy rate of over 95 per cent  – one of the highest in the world. Our workers are proficient in the English language, have a strong work ethic and are reputed for their integrity and hard work. Our global connectivity has also allowed us to play a bridging role between Asean, China, India and the rest of the world. Besides local talent, overseas investors are attracted to Singapore as they know we have a strong pool of global talent which further enhances Singapore’s competitive edge.

4.   Today, there are about 100,000 foreign professionals  working and living in Singapore. Besides foreign talent, more overseas Singaporeans are also returning, attracted by opportunities back home. I was told by Contact Singapore, (an alliance of MOM and EDB that aims to attract global talent to work in Singapore) that more overseas Singaporeans are making enquiries about jobs back home as well as in the region. Ms Teo Hui Sin, a Harvard-educated Singaporean, is an example. Having applied for several jobs in the U.S., the difficulty in finding a job there eventually accelerated her return home. She has since accepted a position at the Ministry of Finance. She is not alone. Mr Chia Wee Boon returned home from the U.S. to be the Chief Operating Officer at NCS as he wanted to help the company succeed in the global arena. He was previously with Hewlett Packard’s US office. The global downturn has further accentuated the attractiveness of Asia. We should capitalise on this to make Singapore an even more attractive Home for Talent – both local and global.

5.   There are about 180,000 Singaporeans living abroad currently . The Overseas Singapore Unit (OSU) was set up in 2006 to engage overseas Singaporeans. Key initiatives include platforms such as online portals and clubs, as well as outreach events like Singapore Day and the Distinguished Business Leaders Series , which enables overseas Singaporeans to stay abreast of developments in Singapore. Singapore Day 2009 saw about 12,000 overseas Singaporeans reconnecting with familiar sights, sounds and tastes, and strengthening their Singaporean identity. Regardless of where these Singaporeans have relocated, we need to continue to engage and remind them of the ties that bind them to their home country. Contact Singapore and the OSU also regularly hold dialogues and career sessions overseas to reach out to Singaporeans. Later this month, Contact Singapore is holding a series of Careers@Singapore sessions for overseas Singaporean students who are back in Singapore for their breaks.

6.   Our talent strategy will help grow Singapore into a global city and home. In last year’s Quality of Living Report by Mercer, we were Asia’s top-scoring city and number one globally for city infrastructure . The report highlighted Singapore’s importance as a financial centre and the wide range of international schools to cater to our expatriate community. Singapore also topped ECA International’s quality of life ranking for the past 10 years . The human resource consulting firm cited good healthcare facilities, low crime and health risks, and decent air quality as winning factors. Let me share a few examples of highly-skilled expatriates who decided to work here. Mr Mark Seeger, an American, is the digital lead of OgilvyOne Singapore. His credentials include having worked on the iPod as a product designer and a former rocket scientist from NASA. Another example is Mr Michael Pryles, a leading Australian lawyer and arbitrator in the Asia Pacific region. He was appointed chairman of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre last year. Their presence here adds to the vibrancy of our city.

Features of the Long Term Pass Card & EPSC

7.   As part of our efforts towards making Singapore a home for talent, MOM has also made the work pass application and processing experience easier and more customer-centric. We have made our employment pass system more transparent, accessible and responsive.

8.   While we work to attract the brightest talent to our shores, we also recognise the need to facilitate their stay here in Singapore. This includes providing them with identification cards enhanced with new security features. The palm-sized card would allow them to travel in and out of Singapore with ease and convenience. Since July last year, we have begun issuing a new Long Term Pass card to all Employment Pass holders and their dependants. The Long Term Pass card incorporates fingerprint biometrics and a photo image which serves as a form of identification for foreigners residing long-term in Singapore. It replaces the paper-laminated cards previously issued, and provides greater security.

9.   The EPSC is a one-stop centre to register biometric information and issue Long Term Pass Cards. Recognising that the Centre would likely be the first stop for pass holders and their family, it should provide a pleasant experience to them.

10.   For instance, instead of the usual queue system, the Centre uses an e-appointment system to regulate the flow of customers. This helps to address the potential problem of overcrowding so that customers will be served within 15 minutes of their arrival at the Centre. Even the short waiting period is made pleasant and enjoyable. The waiting area is a cosy lounge where customers can surf the Internet and connect with the community at their own pace and time. In addition, there are specially designed spaces for families to register as a group especially if they have young children.
11. Besides having an efficient and convenient system, another key factor to providing a world-class customer experience would be the service standard of the people operating the Centre. Since the start of its operation in July last year, the Centre has received many heartwarming accolades commending the level of services offered by its staff. Take for example Mr Bantwal Satish Bhat, a business consultant who visited the Centre in November last year. He praised the staff for being knowledgeable and for their exceptional service. Mr Bantwal also credited Singapore for our reliance on top-notch technology that made his visit to the Centre a breeze.

Conclusion

12.   To sum up, the set up of the Employment Pass Service Centre represents a combination of both hardware and software efforts to significantly raise the level of customer service, in support of MOM’s long-term strategy to build a globally competitive workforce for Singapore. We must endeavour to be an attractive place for local and global talent. I am confident that the Centre will serve to enhance Singapore’s reputation as a Home for Talent.

13.   Thank you.