Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB)

Why is AstraZeneca’s single largest investment in #manufacturing and R&D in #Singapore? It all comes down to Singapore’s world-class talent pool which supports the company’s high-value manufacturing activities, says AstraZeneca’s Vice President and Program Lead, Operations, Michael Teehan. Besides talent, the city-state’s strong ecosystem of partners also helps the company drive innovation in next-gen medicines. Set to be operationally ready by 2029, AstraZeneca’s US$1.5b facility here will be the company’s sole global site for the end-to-end production of antibody drug conjugates or ADCs — precision medicines designed to target cancer cells directly. The facility also looks to push the boundaries of Industry 4.0 by integrating digital platforms, automation, and AI in its operations. 800 new roles in areas ranging from engineering to technical services and global supply chain functions will be created. Learn why companies like AstraZeneca are using Singapore as a trusted #hub to develop and manufacture next-generation medicines for patients globally: https://lnkd.in/gQHF65f5

#SoutheastAsia has been attracting strong FDI inflows – across advanced manufacturing and the digital economy. In fact, the region attracted US$226b in 2024, an 8% increase from the previous year – according to the #ASEAN Investment Report 2025. Here are three takeaways from the report: 1️⃣ More greenfield investments; rise of the digital economy: Companies are building new operations and expanding production capacity in the region, signalling their long-term commitment to Southeast Asia. Greenfield investment in digital-related sectors such as data centres, cloud services, and technology-enabled business activities have also more than doubled. 2️⃣ Southeast Asia is a growing global supply chain hub: The region accounted for over 9% of global merchandise exports, with major sectors such as electrical machinery, consumer electronics and automotives seeing growth. This is supported by ASEAN’s regional agenda to improve supply chain efficiency. 3️⃣ High-growth industries are powering the region’s next phase of growth: Semiconductors, electric vehicles and pharmaceuticals are attracting strong investments, with Southeast Asia sitting at the heart of global supply chains as companies position closer to demand and expand their operations across the region. Read the full story to learn why global companies are doubling down on Southeast Asia and how #Singapore is their strategic hub to drive their expansion plans.

#AI search infrastructure company Exa Labs, whose search engine helps AI systems retrieve the most relevant data from the web, has opened its first Asia office in Singapore. Backed by investors including Benchmark, Lightspeed, NVentures (NVIDIA's venture capital arm), and Y Combinator, Exa intends for its Singapore operations to be a core engineering base focusing on the company’s retrieval stack and infrastructure development – as it builds the “search engine for the AI era”. It will do this by tapping on Singapore’s deep pool of #engineering talent – including from National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University Singapore – and vibrant AI ecosystem. Beyond its technical mission, the Singapore office will provide support for customers across APAC. The company is hiring for roles in product, backend engineering, and infrastructure. Will Bryk, CEO of Exa, said Singapore offers a “unique combination of forward-looking policy and deep #talent pool” – making it a natural base to scale AI infrastructure globally. Learn why Singapore plays a key role in Exa’s growth plans: https://lnkd.in/g_-m3gTu

Belgian #logistics group Katoen Natie opened its new Jurong Logistics Terminal 5 (JLT5) on #JurongIsland today. The 37,000 sqm next-generation facility will incorporate #automation, advanced digital systems and AI to better support energy and chemicals companies with their logistics operations. Features like a fully automated storage and retrieval system, autonomous vehicles and AI-enabled solutions will transform supply chain operations and boost productivity by reducing the reliance on manual labour. Solar power will also be integrated into JLT5’s operations, supporting Jurong Island's transformation into a low-carbon, future-ready energy and chemicals hub. Besides increasing Katoen Natie’s warehousing capacity by over 20%, the facility will create new high-value jobs in automation systems management, digital operations, and data analytics. These roles are part of the 1,000 jobs expected to be created from specialty chemicals investments committed in Singapore since 2021. Existing workers will also be reskilled to operate these advanced systems. As Mr. Koen Cardon, CEO of Katoen Natie Singapore, noted: "This investment underscores our confidence in Singapore as a global hub and our dedication to supporting the evolving needs of the chemical and commodity industries for generations to come." Investments like this — built on long-term partnerships such as Katoen Natie’s nearly three-decade presence here — reinforce Singapore’s position as an ideal base for companies seeking regional growth. Read more about how Katoen Natie leverages Singapore as a strategic launchpad for its next-generation logistics solutions: https://lnkd.in/gtAv9aFR Siow Huang Gan | Severine De Potter | Michael Tan | Serene Frances Lim | Kelly Lai | Christine Wong | JTC Corporation

Sonova Group, global leader in innovative hearing care solutions, is establishing its regional #headquarters and Innovation Center for Affordable Hearing Solutions in Singapore. Sonova’s Singapore operations will help the Switzerland-based company accelerate its #Asia expansion by focusing on developing high-quality, cost-efficient products and care models tailored to the diverse needs of Asian markets. Sonova’s Singapore office will be a base: ⚪ For its APAC (ex-China) regional commercial leadership, marketing, distribution, and customer service functions ⚪ To boost #innovation, through product development, engineering and digital capabilities that expand access to hearing care for millions of people Eric Bernard, CEO of Sonova, said Asia presents a very attractive growth opportunity for Sonova and that Singapore offers the company “an outstanding platform – both to develop solutions tailored to Asian needs and to build a regional organisation that can drive sustained, profitable growth”. Find out how Sonova’s multi-year growth plan will add new capabilities to Singapore’s growing MedTech ecosystem, create meaningful roles here, and drive technological advancements in healthcare for the region: https://lnkd.in/gePVUin7 Roberto Di Fiore | Bernd Wagner | Anders Rosengren

We warmly welcome Mr Kai Fong Chng and Dr. Tianyi Jiang (TJ), who will be joining the EDB Board from 1 April 2026. Mr Chng will be Permanent Secretary (Digital Development & Information), Ministry of Digital Development and Information and Permanent Secretary (Smart Nation)(Cybersecurity) in the Prime Minister’s Office, with effect from 1 April 2026. He was previously Managing Director of EDB from 2017 to 2021 and has served in various roles in the Singapore Public Service. Dr Jiang is the CEO and Co-Founder of AvePoint, which has its APAC headquarters and R&D hub located in Singapore. We would also like to thank outgoing members of the EDB Board, Mr Forrest Li, Founder, Chairman and Group CEO of Sea and Ms Wei Li Liew, Director-General of Education at the Ministry of Education, Singapore (MOE) for their invaluable contributions to EDB and Singapore during their terms.

Singapore’s #AdvancedManufacturing ecosystem is driving real impact through innovation partnerships and helping companies sharpen their competitive edge. Global MNCs, local enterprises, and Singapore’s research community are coming together to co-develop innovative solutions, with A*STAR Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre (A*STAR ARTC) playing a key role facilitating such collaborations. From the Mencast-A*STAR Joint Lab between Mencast Marine Pte Ltd and A*STAR - Agency for Science, Technology and Research and the SIA-SIAEC-SIMTech Joint Lab with Singapore Airlines, SIA Engineering Company and A*STAR Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (A*STAR SIMTech) to the collaboration between Procter & Gamble and JM Vistec System and ARTC’s partnerships with Rolls-Royce, Singapore Aero Engine Services Private Limited (SAESL) and Siemens – these are all shaping the future of advanced manufacturing, right here in Singapore. Watch to learn how businesses have benefited from these partnerships. In the lead-up to #HannoverMesse2026, taking place in Hannover, Germany, from 20 – 24 April 2026, discover the diverse collaboration opportunities within Singapore’s robust advanced manufacturing ecosystem. More details on Singapore's participation at the fair to come: https://lnkd.in/esFqTUD5 

Vietnamese businesses are expanding globally – and #Singapore is well-placed to support them on their international growth strategies to drive win-win outcomes for both countries. EDB, UOB, and Rajah & Tann Asia recently held our inaugural joint event in Ho Chi Minh City, where over 50 partners and executives from Vietnamese businesses convened to learn how Singapore can support their international expansion plans. Here are the key takeaways: 1️⃣ #Vietnam and Singapore offer complementary strengths that support corporates seeking regional and global expansion: As Vietnam strengthens its position as a manufacturing powerhouse, companies can leverage Singapore as a base for their regional headquarters, access capital, and build impactful partnerships across the region. 2️⃣ Positive momentum in Singapore-Vietnam bilateral ties is creating the right environment for new business opportunities: The newly upgraded Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) between both countries, alongside record bilateral trade of nearly S$40b in 2025, is creating new growth opportunities in areas such as the digital economy, green and renewable energy, and carbon markets. 3️⃣ Southeast Asia remains a key region of growth: Amid today’s volatile global business environment, Southeast Asia continues to be a bright spot, with resilient FDI inflows. The region is on track to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by 2030. Learn more about how you can scale your business in #SoutheastAsia through Singapore: https://lnkd.in/g4V67_7h 

#AI is transforming how food is produced, managed, and delivered, and leading agrifood company JAPFA is at the forefront of this change from its headquarters in Singapore. The company recently established its AI and Quantum Computing Centre of Excellence (COE) here to tackle operational challenges in livestock farming and food production. Singaporean Mahkeswaran R plays a key role in driving AI innovation for Japfa, designing AI tools that can support #sustainable food production by streamlining workflows and improve operational efficiency. He also works closely with academic institutes like the Singapore Institute of Technology to advance applied AI research for the development of innovative #agritech solutions. Read Mahkeswaran’s story to discover how he and his team at Japfa are transforming the future of food production with AI: https://lnkd.in/dbXnZUvK #JobsInSingapore

In an increasingly complex global landscape, #Singapore is committed to being a trusted partner to businesses as they transform, innovate, and scale for long-term growth. At Henkel's Global Leadership Summit entitled “Future? Ready!” held here, EDB Chairman Cheong Boon Png and Senior Vice President Philbert Gomez highlighted how the country continues to invest in the fundamentals that support our competitiveness, as well as future-ready capabilities. 1️⃣ Accelerating #AI adoption: Singapore's National AI Strategy 2.0, supported by S$1b in government investment, will create an ecosystem where companies and researchers can develop AI solutions together. Chaired by Singapore's Prime Minister, the National AI Council will coordinate efforts across advanced manufacturing, connectivity, finance, and healthcare. Singapore aims to triple its AI talent pool to 15,000 practitioners by imparting technical and industry skills, through partnerships between academia and leading tech companies, and industry training programmes. 2️⃣ Investing in R&D: Supported by S$37b in RIE2030 investment, Singapore’s vibrant R&D ecosystem enables companies to collaborate and develop next-generation capabilities in existing and emerging areas like semiconductors, AI, advanced materials, #quantum, and space tech to remain competitive. 3️⃣ Transforming key sectors: Singapore is strengthening its global leadership in industries like semiconductors, healthcare, specialty chemicals, and aerospace with a focus on anchoring best-in-class, AI-enabled, and sustainable operations. Henkel has been in Singapore for more than 40 years, and recently opened a new hub office here that brings together its global supply chain operations, digital capabilities, and advanced R&D functions. The German chemicals and consumer goods company chose to locate its Global Supply Chain Hub here to leverage the connectivity Singapore offers, through its extensive air and sea links, and FTAs covering 90% of global GDP. Learn what makes Singapore a trusted base for #innovation that can power future growth: https://lnkd.in/dt_Bhsdp