Biomedical Manufacturing
Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology, Medical Technology
The biomedical industry is Singapore's fastest growing cluster in the manufacturing sector. The presence of industry leaders is testimony to our role as a strategic manufacturing location for global biomedical manufacturing companies. Hosting more than 20 production facilities from six of the world's 10 largest pharmaceutical companies, we are also home to an expanding base of medical technology companies manufacturing products such as hearing aids, contact lenses, infusion pumps, polymerse chain reaction equipment, surgical microscopes, syringes and drug eluting stents for the international market.
Singapore is a competitive and trusted site for global biomedical manufacturing. We have a critical mass in active pharmaceutical ingredient and formulation manufacturing, with five of the world's top 10 companies here.
To further strengthen our position, we are enhancing our cost competitiveness by building up the local base of suppliers and manufacturing service providers, and through the provision of shared utilities at Tuas Biomedical Park. We are also working to expand the range of manufacturing solutions available, with a focus on biologics manufacturing. These include process R&D capabilities and contract manufacturing services.
Beyond manufacturing, Singapore has attracted an increasing number of pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical technology companies to establish their R&D operations here. Today, we are emerging as a viable location for drug discovery and development, and a base for medical technology innovation and product development. We are thus on track to becoming a leading biomedical manufacturing hub with capabilities across the entire value chain of activities.
Extracted from EDB’s Manufacturing: Singapore Best Kept Secret
Electronics
Semiconductors, Electronics Manufacturing Services, Data Storage, Computers, Communication Equipment, Consumer Electronics and Smart Cards, Electronics Component and Display
Electronics is the principal cluster underscoring Singapore's economic growth, and the largest contributor to the manufacturing sector. Today, the electronics industry in Singapore comprises the full value chain of activities, with products spanning components, modules and end-user systems.
Singapore boasts 14 wafer fabs, including the wafer fabs of the world's top three wafer foundry companies, 20 assembly-and-test facilities and some 40 integrated circuit (IC) design centres. Also located here are the top three subcontract assembly-and-test companies and four of the world's top 10 fabless IC design companies. In addition, the world's top five electronic manufacturing services have significant presence in Singapore, with operations ranging from design to high value-added manufacturing, and management of regional activities.
Singapore has also achieved several leadership positions within the industry. We account for 10% of the global semiconductor wafer foundry output, 30% of the world's hard disk drive shipment and 20% of the world's retail POS impact printers.
With our goal to become a global hub for electronic products, we will continue to promote the full value chain of activities - from R&D to design, manufacturing, supply chain management and headquarters functions to anchor world-class players across the various Electronics sub-clusters.
Chemicals
Oil & Gas, Petrochemicals, Specialties
After Electronics, the Chemicals cluster is the second largest contributor to the output of Singapore's manufacturing sector.
Singapore has a well established oil industry. Today, we are Asia's oil product pricing centre, and rank among the top three in the world for oil refining and trading. Recognised for our highly-integrated, world-scale chemical complexes, we are the leading integrated petrochemical hub and stand among Asia's largest centres. We also host a diverse range of specialty chemicals manufacturing, with leading positions in such areas as marine coatings, lube additives, flavours and fragrances.
Jurong Island is the icon of Singapore's highly-integrated hub where companies can avail the full range of resources to complete their manufacturing value chain. These include Banyan LogisPark, the Institute of Chemicals and Engineering Sciences for R&D, and the Chemical and Process Technology Centre for manpower training.
To grow our leadership positions by 2018, we have undertaken key projects to strengthen the supply chain of our oil industry, ensure the availability of competitive feedstocks and nurture growth in new specialities area.
Environmental & Process Engineering
Environmental Technology, Process Control & Instrumentation and Process Engineering
Singapore has the ability to support the full value chain of activities for Environmental & Process Engineering industry, which contributes S$3.3 billion in value added in 2003 from both manufacturing and services activities. Companies in this industry provide engineering solutions to many infrastructural and industrial projects in Asia.
With capabilities and resources spanning design, software development, test-bedding, manufacturing, R&D and HQ management, we are home to more than half of the top 40 global engineering design firms, and nine of the world's top 10 process control and instrumentation companies. We aim to build upon our strengths in water treatment and waste management to become a Global Environmental Technology Hub.
Making products ranging from water treatment systems to control systems and value controllers, Singapore is home to a vibrant manufacturing landscape for this industry. Singapore is making significant inroads into emerging areas such as alternative energy which encompasses solar, biofuels and fuel cells. Our leadership achievements include hosting the largest membrane R&D centre in Asia outside Japan, and the production of 10% of the global output for distributed control systems.
Going forward, we will bring this industry to its next phase of growth through technology and innovation. Paving the way is the Institute of Environmental Science & Engineering - a research centre to develop and commercialise cutting-edge technologies in the fields of membranes, clean energy and environmental biotechnology. As Asia continues its rapid growth, there is an increasing demand for Environmental & Process Engineering services. We will groom Singapore companies to undertake the challenges from the region, as well as the world.
Precision Engineering
Machinery Systems, Precision Modules and Components
The Precision Engineering (PE) cluster is one of the key pillars in the manufacturing sector, and a core enabler for many industries such as electronics, marine, aerospace, oil & gas and medical devices.
The PE manufacturing value chain in Singapore spans the design and manufacturing of machinery and systems, particularly in semiconductor and industrial equipment, to precision modules and components which go into the final products of various industries.
Singapore's unique strengths in PE are key reasons for our global leadership position in products such as jack-up oil rigs (70% of global output), semiconductor wire/ball bonders (70% of global output), hard disk drives (30% of global output). In addition to securing the manufacturing presence of established PE companies, Singapore also plays host to the headquarter (HQ) and R&D functions of some of these companies.
To realise our targets for 2018, we will continue to strengthen our base of machine-building capabilities especially in semiconductor front-end equipment, refurbishment and assembly, as well as develop a strong and diverse precision modules and components supporting industry. These would also serve emerging sectors such as medical devices, optics/photonics, aerospace and automotive.
Transport Engineering
Aerospace, Land Transport, Marine, Oilfield Equipment
Singapore's robust transport engineering cluster is underscored by our strong mechanical and electronic engineering capabilities, which have enabled us to rank among the forerunners in several industry segments.
Today, Singapore is the world leader in ship repair, oil rig construction and floating production, storage & offloading (FPSO) platform conversion. In Asia, we are the largest and most comprehensive aerospace maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) hub and the leading manufacturing centre for oil & gas equipment. Singapore also plays host to many automative companies, with 16 of them having their regional headquarters here - collectively the largest in the region.
Singapore's vibrant oilfield, marine, aerospace and automotive industries have attracted world-class players which have substantial investments here, including centres of competence and regional development centres. Their operations span high value-added manufacturing, engineering design, research and development, logistics and HQ activities.
In order to enhance our leadership positions and capitalise on growth areas, we will build on our existing competencies in transport engineering. We aim to introduce more specialized curricula at educational institutions, renew and upgrade our physical infrastructure, strengthen the supporting industry, deepen R&D capabilities and improve our access to global markets.
Light Industries
Food & Beverage, Printing, Textile & Apparel
We are home to more than 600 food companies including Nestle, Cadbury-Schweppes and Asia Pacific Breweries. The vibrant F&B ecosystem spans a range of upstream companies producing food ingredients and additives, to downstream companies manufacturing consumer end-products.
In 2003, the F&B manufacturers accounted for S$4.0 billion in output. Our vision is to develop Singapore into a vital food hub, leveraging on our existing strengths in trust, innovation, science and connectivity.
Printing
Printers in Singapore have embraced technology to enhance quality, optimise efficiency and reduce turnaround time. Apart from investing in high-end machinery and skilled manpower, they have also broadened their scope to offer more integrated services such as supply chain management and design.
Singapore's printing industry generated S$2.5 billion in output in 2003. We will continue to assist our printing industry to maintain competitiveness through the use of technology and automation, as well as explore new business niches.
Textile & Apparel
We are one of the leading business hubs in Asia Pacific for the T&A industry. International fashion companies such as GAP, Polo Ralph Lauren, Nike and Macy's have made Singapore their regional sourcing base. Singapore's T&A manufacturers are global players and manage production facilities in over 15 countries. They have maintained a core base of manufacturing and sampling in Singapore, which generated an output of S$1.1 billion in 2003.
We aim to strengthen Singapore's position as a T&A business hub by continuing our efforts to attract high value-added activities from leading fashion companies as well as encourage manufacturers to build greater capabilities in design, and use of technology.
