Most popular GovInsider stories, April 2024

GovInsider’s roundup of top stories in April centres around innovative initiatives shaping sectors crucial to Singapore’s progress – businesses, transport and infrastructure, and water supply.

From leveraging SaaS for streamlined SME engagement to navigating the complexities of maritime decarbonisation, these stories highlight the country's proactive stance in addressing pressing challenges.

1. SaaS for more YAAS (for SMEs)

Navigating complex and diverse government systems can be a significant challenge for SMEs. This is why Salesforce and Singapore's Ministry of Trade and Industry have partnered to develop a business engagement platform with SaaS.

It’s more efficient, responsive, and user-friendly – and saves an estimated SGD 11 million over the next five years. Find out more about how the platform got started, and why other agencies like the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore have adopted it.

2. Preparing Noah’s ark for the decarbonisation wave

While it’s the second-largest contributor to global carbon pollution, shipping remains a key enabler for global trade and commerce. This is why environmental regulations are getting tricky...

As the industry increasingly comes under the regulatory radar, Dr Sanjay C Kuttan with the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation shares how the non-profit is building capacities to prepare for energy transition policymaking.

3. Conjuring water amid dry spells

As more dry spells and unpredictable weather hit the region, PUB, Singapore's National Water Agency, is increasingly depending on water-resilient sources like NEWater and desalinated water. But the irony? They’re more energy and carbon-intensive to produce than other methods.

Targeting to go net-zero by 2045, its Chief Sustainability Officer Ridzuan Ismail shares how the agency aims to sustain water resilience while keeping energy use low.

4. Gearing up for cyberwarfare

Business journalist Amit Roy Choudhury says that the proposed changes to Singapore’s Cybersecurity Act 2018 is a “welcomed upgrade” that helps to protect the country’s critical information infrastructure (CII).

While the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore is on top of the evolving threat landscape, the problem of hackers targeting CII is more severe than many realise, he says.

5. Ultra-fast charging tech key to unlocking EVs

The time that it takes to drink a coffee is how long it takes to charge an electric vehicle – at an ultra-fast charging station – in China.

Reflecting on China’s experience accelerating EV adoption, Derek Tan, CEO of EV-Electric Charging Pte Ltd – a subsidiary of Land Transport Authority Singapore – shares what’s needed for Singapore to meet its target of electrifying half of its bus fleet and at least half of the total taxi fleet by 2030.