Speech at 2010 Singapore Human Capital Summit

Mr Loh Khum Yean, Permanent Secretary, Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore

1. Good morning and welcome to the Singapore Human Capital Summit 2010. In particular, I would like to extend warm greetings to our overseas speakers and participants.
2. When we gathered at last year’s Summit, we were all trying to come to grips with the global economic recession. Many speakers focused on how we could individually and collectively tackle manpower challenges under the difficult environment.
3. This year’s Summit takes place amidst a different global backdrop, with significant improvements in business conditions across the world. Asian economies in particular are seeing the benefits of a growth recovery. Competition for talent within Asia is again intensifying, bringing with it unique leadership and human capital challenges. The theme for this year’s Summit – “People Challenges for Asia - Riding the Wave of Recovery and Growth” is therefore relevant and timely.
4. This year, we are delighted to welcome some 650 participants from 17 countries to the Summit, with a strong line-up of speakers comprising both global and regional business leaders, as well as foremost thought leaders in the field of leadership and human capital development. Case studies on the human capital development and management strategies of leading companies will be featured. We will also unveil the findings of two research projects specially commissioned by the Singapore Ministry of Manpower on the “Future of Work” and “Human Capital Challenges in Asia”.
5. The Knowledge Showcase returns with another set of leading companies, including CapitaLand and Rolls Royce, sharing their successful human capital practices. We will also be presenting the second Asian Human Capital Awards to recognise companies in Asia with innovative and impactful people practices.
6. I am confident that this year’s Summit will help deepen our collective understanding of the leadership and human capital issues facing Asia-based organisations. I also hope that the insights we gain and ideas we hear will inspire each of us to devise better human capital strategies and practices within our organisations.
7. On this note, I would like to thank Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Mr Teo Chee Hean, for gracing the Summit. Let me also express our warm appreciation to all our Distinguished Speakers and facilitators for contributing their invaluable time to share with us their insights and experience. Our deep gratitude also goes out to our Partners and Sponsors for their generous support in making the third Singapore Human Capital Summit possible.
8. I wish you all a productive and insightful Summit. Thank you.