2

Registry Supervisor, Ministry of National GVT 2 40 Development

26 Chairman, Institute of Standards GVT 325 Industrial Research

27 ian, NTUC Research Unit GVT 351 27a , Minister(PMO) and Secretar -General, NTUC

28 Mindef Libr y GVT 2 07

2 9 Director, Commu ' ty Relations Dept, Ministry of GVT 230 Community Develop ent (Kindly make copie and distribute to all the secretariats)

30 Permanent Secretary, istry of Defence GVT 560

31 Dr , Ministe for Labour GVT 160 \ 32 Rear Admiral (NS) Teo Chee , Minister of GVT 565 State for Finance and

33 Ministry of Education (MoE) GVT 030

34 Prof S Jayakumar, Minister for Foreign GVT 660 34a Mr Peter Ho, DS (SEA) Min. of Foreign A GVT 660

35 Dr Richard Hu, Minister for Finance GVT 017

36 BG , Minister for Health GVT 172

37 Mr Abdullah Tarmugi, Acting Minister for Community Development GVT 230

38 Mr Sidek Bin Saniff, Minister of State for VT 680 Education

39 Mr J. A. Nathan, Globalink, TDB GVT 8 7

ADDRESS BY MR GOH CHEE WEE, MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRADE & INDUSTRY AND COMMUNICATIONS AT THE OPENING OF THE "TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY, MADE IN FRANCE" EXHIBITION 16 OCTOBER 1995, 6.00 PM AT THE SINGAPORE SCIENCE CENTRE

I am very pleased to be here at the opening of this exhibition - "Technologies for the Twenty-First Century, Made in France". Not only does this exhibition showcase France's remarkable achievements in science and technology, it also points to the potential for more intensive cooperation between France and Singapore.

GROWING TIES AND COOPERATION There is growing interest among European countries, including France, to widen and intensify points of contact with Asia. This is a positive development that we welcome. With this exhibition as part of the now 3

popular French Festival and the inaugural meeting of the French-Singapore Business Council held this morning, we witness a convincing reaffirmation of the close relations between our two countries.

COOPERATION IN S&T France is a leading nation in Science and Technology. Singapore, on the other hand, is established as a hub in Asia and is a gateway for many European and American companies to Asia. I believe that there is much scope for us to bring these complementary strengths together. There are several ways that these can be brought about

Firstly, high technology French companies can site their manufacturing, product development and customisation operations in Singapore. Many European companies, including Siemens, Phillips and Glaxo- Wellcome have already done so. At our end, Singapore is committed to providing a world-class infrastructure, skilled workforce and R&D professionals needed to support these operations. In numerous instances, the Singapore Government has also co-invested with companies to build up their R&D capabilities.

Secondly, increase the linkages between the outstanding Research Institutes in France and Singapore's Research Institutes and Centres. Although Singapore's research institutes have had relatively short histories, they have built up competencies in several key technology areas. ~ understand that our Institute ) of Systems Science {ISS) and the National Institute for Research in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics (INRIA) of France are exploring possible research collaborations. It is my hope that we \viii see more such linkages and collaborations in the coming months.

Thirdly, French companies can use Singapore as a base to license out and market their proprietary technologies in the region. An initiative similar to the recent Singapore-Japan Technomart held here can be organised on a regular basis. It will allow French companies to showcase and market licensable technologies to industries in the region.

CONCLUSION I am confident that ties between Singapore and France will grow strongly. There is good potential for cooperation in science and technology. Perhaps in a few years, we will be able to put up an exhibition entitled "Technologies for the Twenty-First Century, Collaborations between Singapore and France". On this note, I wish the Exhibition and the French Festival 95 every success, and all participants and visitors a meaningful and enjoyable experience.

MTl(7)/msoct16. '95