Post on 28-Jul-2020
Singapore-Jiangsu Collaboration - Innovating Our Future Summit on 19 November 2018 in Singapore
EVENT REPORT
Event Overview Singapore-Jiangsu Collaboration - Innovating Our Future is a one-day summit co-organized by Social Innovation Park (SIP) and Jiangsu Industrial Technology Research Institute (JITRI). Jiangsu province is the biggest economy in East China, with GDP reaching S$1.76 trillion (RMB8.59 trillion) at 8.4% growth in 2017, almost the size of the Australian GDP. Jiangsu is the top provincial investment destination for Singapore companies in China, with Singapore’s cumulative investments into Jiangsu reaching over S$36.8 billion (US$27.1 billion) as of end-September 2017. Singapore-Jiangsu trade currently accounts for about 10% of Singapore-China trade, rising 13.2% year-on-year to reach S$11 billion (US$8.1 billion) in the first three quarters of 2017. Singapore-Jiangsu Collaboration was kick-started back in 1994 by the then Prime Ministers HE Mr Deng Xiaoping and HE Mr Lee Kuan Yew, with the birth of the Suzhou Industrial Park. Over the last 24 years, Singapore-Jiangsu G2G, B2B and P2P relations expanded and deepened into various industry sectors and Jiangsu cities. Meanwhile, the Suzhou Industrial Park also developed into a modern city with a high-tech industrial park at its core, a prosperous population, and one of the most liveable places in China. As we enter a new stage of development and growth that will be accelerated by the Belt and Road Initiative, and with Singapore also entering the fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), more collaborative bridges and platforms - traditional and new - need to be built, particularly in the areas of technology and innovation, so we could progress together. We are prompted to think about what the second phase of Singapore-Jiangsu Collaboration could look like, beyond the Suzhou Industrial Park joint venture. More pertinently, how do we mindfully shape the desired future of our countries, in a collaborative manner that brings better standards of living and better lives for our citizens? This event brings together leaders from business, government and academia in Singapore and Jiangsu, especially those involved in the deep tech, to discuss the future of collaboration for economic transformation and inclusive growth. We were honoured to have many distinguished guests grace our event, including our Guest-of-Honour, Ms Tin Pei Ling 陈陈佩玲佩玲, CEO of 通商中国 Business China and Member-of-Parliament, our VIP from China, Mr Wang Qin, Director-General of the Department of Science and Technology of Jiangsu Province, as well as distinguished Excellencies and Ambassadors from Finland, China, and Jordan. The event was hosted by Prof Liu Qing, President of JITRI, and Ms Penny Low, Founder of SIP, Senior Strategy Advisor of JITRI, and former Member-of-Parliament. It was attended by 70 participants from 39 organizations (please see Annex for list of organizations). Dr. Yeo Sze Ling, a Research Scientist at A*STAR Institute of Infocomm Research specializing in cryptography, also an SIP Fellow, was the MC for the day.
Opening Session Ms Penny Low opened the summit with Welcome Remarks, emphasizing the need for cooperation more than ever in this new era of growth and development, particularly with technological advancements. She also urged the audience to think about how, as we reap the business potential and benefits of deep tech, do we also ensure sustainable and inclusive development, and to use technology for good.
The first Opening Keynote was delivered by Mr Wang Qin, on “Open Innovation with Win-Win Cooperation”, where he spoke about the current science and technology innovation ecosystem and agenda in Jiangsu, as well as successful models of cooperation with international partners. He said that Jiangsu will actively join the global innovation network, establish and enhance industrial innovation clusters, and enhance the competitiveness of Jiangsu manufacturing industry in the global market. He said that Jiangsu Industrial Technology Research Institute is an important window for Jiangsu to connect with Singapore's innovative resources. JITRI will actively support establishment of R&D and innovation facilities with universities and research institutions in Singapore to form long-term and stable cooperative relationships and carry out various forms of innovative cooperation.
The final Opening Keynote was delivered by Ms Tin Pei Ling, who took the audience through the history of Singapore-Jiangsu cooperation, and achievements of that cooperation. She said that Singapore has been actively engaged in various models of cooperation with China. Suzhou Industrial Park is the first cooperation project between the governments of China and Singapore, and was a critical window for China to open up to international partnership by being a model of success. She opined that a platform like this event will surely promote closer collaboration between Singapore and Jiangsu, and push it to a higher level.
Expert Keynote Speeches The Expert Keynote Speech segment was kicked off by Prof Liu Qing who introduced the audience to JITRI, and its development around the three major systems of industrial technology innovation system, industrial technology supply system and research and development industry ecosystem. JITRI seeks to serve as “a Bridge between Global Innovation Resources and Jiangsu”, through strategic partnerships with top universities and research institutes such as the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University. The partnerships will jointly create an innovative ecosystem, build an industrial technology supply system, and enhance the industrial value chain
Prof. Ding Han, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and director of the Institute of Digital Manufacturing Equipment and Technology of the Provincial Research Institute, spoke about "Connecting ‘the last mile’ of the transformation of technological achievements in universities." He introduced the innovative institutional mechanisms of the Institute from the aspects of its objectives, organizational structure, human resources and development, and shared their efforts to strengthen international innovation cooperation and promote the transformation of scientific and technological achievements.
Prof. Freddy Boey, Senior Vice President, Graduate Education and Research Translation of the National University of Singapore (NUS), spoke about “Innovating the Future Together”. He introduced the research and innovation system in NUS, as well as incubation programme of deep-tech start-ups from research spin-offs. He then spoke about possible collaborations between NUS and Jiangsu, through joint manpower training, start-up incubation and co-development of IP, as well as in 5 focus technology areas.
Mr Hans Duisters, Founder and CEO of the SIOUX Group in the Netherlands and President of the JITRI-SIOUX Joint Innovation Center, delivered a keynote speech on “Innovative Organization Development”. He opined that in the past, innovation was inward-looking and closed. At present, we are entering the stage of outward-looking collaborative innovation. The next decade will be about continuous exploration of institutional mechanisms and innovation models, forming an inter-organizational innovation ecosystem.
Dr. Sidney Yee, CEO of the Diagnostics Development (DxD) Hub and Executive Vice President of A*ccelerate, delivered a keynote speech entitled “In Minds Today, In Markets Tomorrow”. She spoke about the key mechanisms to deliver value in the innovation ecosystem, and how DxD Hub is doing it to bridge the value creation gap. The deep tech incubation platform should be based on the protection and diffusion of intellectual property rights and provide support to nurture, de-risk and collaborate.
Mr. Dong Liang, CEO of Jiangsu Hi-Tech Investment Group Co., Ltd. delivered a keynote speech entitled “Innovative Cooperation – New Opportunities for Jiangsu and Singapore”. He said: Innovation has become a top priority for all advanced economies, and it is also becoming a priority for more emerging countries. Innovation and value creation will become more important. Innovation collaboration between Jiangsu and Singapore will generate a lot of new opportunities and shape a broader future.
Dr. Ernest Kan, Chief Advisor of China Capital Markets of the Singapore Exchange (SGX), said in his keynote speech that the Singapore market has a high degree of internationalization, a short listing period, low financing difficulty, and a cultural background close to China. In recent years, Singapore has become a preferred destination for Chinese companies looking to internationalize. Nearly 40% of companies listed on the SGX are overseas companies, of which Chinese companies (including Hong Kong and Taiwan) account for nearly 60%. SGX will build a supportive financial ecosystem for the common development of enterprises and industries through capital means. Dr. Ernest Kan expressed his strong recognition of JITRI's philosophy of creating an innovation system, a supply system and an ecosystem.
Mr. Hu Ying, CEO of Sumin Investment Holdings, introduced that Sumin Investment is an investment institution jointly established by more than 10 well-known private leading enterprises in Jiangsu, such as Shagang Group, GCL Group and Hongdou Group. It will tap on its capital, resources and market competitiveness advantages to promote the deepening of Singapore-Jiangsu industrial collaboration, focusing on new emerging areas such as new materials, environmental protection and new energy, semiconductors, medical health, smart manufacturing, financial technology and Internet of Things. He hopes to promote collaboration in scientific and technological innovation through the establishment of investment funds, industrial parks and cross-border investment platforms.
Panel Discussion The panel was made up of 1) Mr Sun Yinhao, Deputy Director, Institute of Intelligent Sensing Technology, JITRI; 2) Mr Jonathan Lim, Director, Global Innovation Alliance and Start-ups, Enterprise Singapore; 3) Mr Hans Duisters, President, JITRI-Sioux Joint Innovative Centre; 4) Dr Xing Fei, CEO, Raycham Laser Technology Group Co., Ltd; 5) Mr Krishna Ramachandra, Managing Director, Duane Morris & Selvam and Board Director, SIP; 6) Mr James Tan, Managing Partner, Quest Ventures It was moderated by Ms Wong Peishan, Private Equity Portfolio Manager, Shaw Kwei & Partners and Board Director, SIP. Panelists expressed their opinions and shared ideas on new opportunities, challenges and models of collaboration between Singapore and Jiangsu. They discussed the promotion of R&D and translation of key technologies through market-oriented mechanisms, and how to open up a channel from science and technology to industry, through collaborative innovation. There was also an interactive exchange on how to promote inclusiveness in the advancement of technology, and using technology to create positive social impact.
Closing Remarks Prof. Liu Qing closed the summit by sharing his sentiments about how international collaboration is an irreversible trend. It is the only way to confront and solve common challenges and create a better future together. He reiterated the enormous potential and opportunities in Singapore-Jiangsu collaboration, particularly in innovation and technology, and urged the audience to work together to co-create an innovative ecosystem across national borders to achieve a better future.
Evening Reception The summit was capped off with an Evening Cocktail Reception at the exclusive One-North Gallery on 22-level of Symbiosis Tower at Fusionopolis One, with participants networking and exchanging more views and intentions for collaboration, amidst a panoramic view of One-North and good food and drinks.