Singapore unveils plan to become a 'digital living lab'

Singapore yesterday unveiled a new blueprint for information technology development, which it hopes will launch a new wave of growth for a fundamental element of the country's economy.

The 'Connected Singapore' plan aims to revitalise the industry. It is hoped innovative projects worth S$100 million (HK$440 million) will be undertaken over the next three years as the state gears up to be a 'digital living lab'.

The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) is targeting the sector's contribution to gross domestic product to rise from 7.9 per cent to 10 per cent by 2012. It aims to attract three of the top 10 digital publishing or software companies to base their regional distribution operation in Singapore.

The goal is to increase the value of digital transactions through Singapore from S$150 million to S$500 million by 2006.

Presenting the blueprint, acting Minister for Information, Communication and the Arts David Lim said: 'We must go beyond a government-driven process to a new industry-government partnership. It is imperative the industry is much more intimately involved in the process of developing plans, shaping policies and implementing schemes to further growth.'

In 2001, revenues for the sector totalled S$28 billion, having expanded at an average annual rate of 13 per cent since 1986, well outpacing the overall growth of the economy.