Page 45 - Forbes - Asia (July - August 2018)

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
SINGAPORE:

REVVING UP FOR A DIGITAL FUTURE

The government is working hard to ensure its innovation ecosystem will be a global leader
as disruptive technologies further transform industry.

U.S.-based, deep technology firm DataRo-
bot plans to invest US$11 million into Sin-
gapore as part of its expansion plans in
the region. Artificial intelligence (AI) spe-
cialist Taiger has also sealed a US$5.8 mil-
lion funding deal to push Singapore’s AI
capabilities forward.
DataRobot and Taiger are among several
international start-ups setting up opera-
tions in Singapore to take advantage of the
country’s vibrant innovation ecosystem to
develop solutions for a global audience.
With its robust infrastructure, progres-
sive regulatory frameworks and plans to
attract and grow its talent pool, Singapore
is the ideal springboard for technology AI company DataRobot exhibiting at the inaugural Singapore Digital Industry Day in May.
companies seeking to expand into Asia
and the rest of the world. specific programs, aims to grow the coun- traction. Launched last year, the Industry
To develop Singapore’s digital econ- try’s status as a global innovation and Transformation Map aims to grow the ICM
omy, Info-communications Media Devel- technology hub to attract the next gen- industry’s value-add by about 6% annually;
opment Authority (IMDA), the key gov- eration of disruptors to its shores. this is almost twice as fast as the overall
ernment agency for Singapore’s digital The country’s technology space is set to economy, which grew by 3.6% in 2017.
transformation, has put into place the become even more dynamic in the coming Employment will also receive a boost,
Singapore Digital (SG:D) Framework for years as a government plan to transform with the ICM sector expected to employ
Action. The framework, coupled with the infocomm media (ICM) sector gains more than 210,000 workers by 2020, up
from approximately 194,000 workers in
2016. With demand rising for skilled ICM
professionals in order to transform indus-
tries across Singapore, the city is aiming to
attract global specialists with tech exper-
tise in niche digital domains, including
artificial intelligence and cybersecurity,
while remaining committed to grooming
the pool of local talent.

Infrastructure: A Solid Foundation
for Growth
Singapore’s robust and resilient technol-
ogy infrastructure investment is the foun-
dation on which its digital economy ambi-
tions are built. Its nationwide broadband
network allows users to subscribe to fiber
broadband plans of up to 10Gbps from
any address in Singapore. These plans are
also affordable—with 1Gbps plans start-
ing from US$25 a month—because com-
petition among internet service providers
has been allowed to flourish.
Meanwhile, around 20 international
subsea cables connect through Singa-
pore, with more in the pipeline. Singa-
pore-based telco Singtel was part of a

Singapore 6