Most popular GovInsider stories, April 2024

By Si Ying Thian

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.

Most popular GovInsider stories, April 2024. Image: Canva.

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.


In partnership with Salesforce, Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) has developed a new business engagement platform that has led to faster service delivery, productivity gains, and estimated cost savings of over SGD11 million. GovInsider speaks to Sharon Ng, at MTI, to learn more.

Click image to access article >>>

 

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.


With an emerging focus on regulating maritime fuels to reach net-zero by 2050, Dr Sanjay C Kuttan from the Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation shares what the organisation is doing to lower adoption barriers and increase uptake of more sustainable practices in the shipping industry.

Click image to access article >>>

 

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.


Continual investments in technology and research, innovative infrastructure design and circular economy principles can help Singapore build a resilient and sustainable water future, says Ridzuan Ismail with Singapore’s national water agency, PUB.

Click image to access article >>>

 

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.


Bill read in Parliament on 3 April proposes amendments to the 2018 law to keep pace with the evolving threat landscape targeting critical information infrastructure. They provide greater oversight and represent a welcome upgrade, writes Amit Roy Choudhury.

Click image to access article >>>

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.


EVe CEO Derek Tan shared how ultra-fast charging, set to debut in Singapore by the end of 2024, could be key in the electrification of vehicle fleets, as part of efforts to green the land transport sector and realise a more sustainable future.

Click image to access article >>>