Economic Development Board
The Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) is a statutory board under the Ministry of Trade and Industry of the government of Singapore that plans and executes strategies aimed to sustain Singapore as a leading global hub for business and investment.
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| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1 August 1961 |
| Jurisdiction | Government of Singapore |
| Headquarters | 250 North Bridge Road, #28-00, Raffles City Tower, Singapore 179101 1°18′0″N 103°53′10″E / 1.30000°N 103.88611°E |
| Agency executives | |
| Parent agency | Ministry of Trade and Industry |
| Website | www.edb.gov.sg |
| Agency ID | T08GB0012H |
The Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) is a statutory board under the Ministry of Trade and Industry of the government of Singapore that plans and executes strategies aimed to sustain Singapore as a leading global hub for business and investment.
History
[edit]1957–1961: Singapore Industrial Promotion Board
[edit]In 1957, the Singapore Industrial Promotion Board (SIPB) was formed through the passage of the Singapore Industrial Promotion Bill, to empower the Singapore Government in establishing, developing, and financing industrial undertakings.[3]
It had a capital of $1 million, and had received requests from local companies for loans totalling up to $500,000 at its formation.[4] However, SIPB was criticised by political opposition as being slow, not transparent, and ineffective in aiding local businesses.[5] The board was hamstrung by the limited capital that it had with the Minister of Commerce and Industry, J. M. Jumabhoy, blaming on the activities of extreme left-wing politicians on the lack of corporations from financial institutions.[6]
In 1959, the Singapore Government unveiled a new proposed Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) with a capital of $100 million. The proposed board would be funded partly by a part of the $300 million foreign investments that the government had made before. It would also be a statutory board, and in addition to the current responsibilities of SIPB to disburse loans to companies, it would have a direct part in setting up factories or make use of its capital for local joint venture projects with the private sector.[7]
The Economic Development Ordinance was first read in Parliament on 26 April 1961, with its second reading on 24 May 1961. The ordinance commenced on 1 August 1961, thus taking over the functions of SIPB.[8] To facilitate the set up of EDB, international experts were requested from the United Nations and appointed to run the board alongside local officers.[9][10]
1961–present: Setting up of Jurong Industrial Estate and overseas missions
[edit]By 24 November 1961, the agency was fully operational.[11] In December 1961, the agency started offering free advice to nine electrical industries, releasing research materials to entrepreneurs and manufacturers.[12] It also spearheaded development works at the 9,000 acre Jurong industrial estate.[13] In 1962, EDB introduced a simplified process of buying industrial land. An applicant would have to submit a building plan in three months and build in two years before a lease of land no more than 99 years be issued.[14] EDB received an additional grant of S$40 million to develop Jurong Industrial Estate from the Singapore government.[15][16]
1962 was also the year which Singapore begun to actively woo overseas industrialists as such the Japanese,[17] with some indicating interests in joint development projects and sending study missions to Singapore.[18] A Japanese economic survey mission led by Shinichi Takasugi, President of Mitsubishi and Head of Japan's Economic Cooperation Committee and the Federation of Economic Organizations[19] found that Jurong Industrial Estate was "the best site for industrialisation for Singapore."[20] A S$23 million shipyard joint venture between Ishikawajima-Harima and EDB was planned for as well.[21][22]
EDB was also functioning as an industrial bank, offering loans to companies at "reasonable interest rates".[23][24]
Investing since 1991, EDBI is the dedicated corporate investment arm of the EDB, and a global investor in select high growth technology sectors covering Information & Communication Technology (ICT), Emerging Technology (ET), Healthcare (HC) and other strategic industries.[25]
Since 1 April 2019, the EDB manages DesignSingapore Council, the national agency for design, which is located in the National Design Centre. This is done to help companies expand beyond Singapore.[26][27] It also manages Singapore Global Network, which was set up in 2019 to grow Singapore's networks and connections around the world.[28]
The EDB maintains 20 international offices in 14 countries which includes Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Netherlands, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom and the United States.[29]
The Partnerships for Capability Transformation (PACT) scheme is a funding initiative by the Economic Development Board and Enterprise Singapore for global companies looking to collaborate with Singapore enterprises. More than 2,500 Singapore-based firms have participated in the scheme since its launch in 2010.[30] In January 2026, SK tes,[31][not specific enough to verify] Diageo and Sanofi announced their involvement in the PACT scheme.[citation needed]
References
[edit]- ^ "Permanent Secretary Appointments ‑ 27 March 2023". PSD. 27 March 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
- ^ "New Managing Director at the Singapore Economic Development Board" (PDF). MTI. 21 November 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
- ^ "Aiding Industry". The Straits Times. 14 January 1957.
- ^ "Cresson to run $1m. promotion board". The Straits Times. 10 April 1957.
- ^ "INDUSTRIAL BOARD IS UNDER ATTACK". The Singapore Free Press. 21 October 1957. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
- ^ "Mr. J ON THE BIG FINANCE FLOP: 'I BLAME LEFT'". The Straits Times. 8 December 1958. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
- ^ "That board may he ready in six months". The Straits Times. 21 July 1959. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
- ^ "Economic Development Board Act - Singapore Statutes Online". sso.agc.gov.sg.
- ^ "Three more U.N. experts due soon". The Straits Times. 16 September 1962. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
- ^ "MEN NAMED TO PUSH STORE INDUSTRY BID". The Straits Times. 17 August 1961. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
- ^ "Development Board in full operation". The Singapore Free Press. 24 November 1961.
- ^ "Government offers free advice on nine industries". The Singapore Free Press. 9 December 1961.
- ^ "JURONG READY FOR INDUSTRY BY END OF NEXT YEAR". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. The Singapore Free Press. 6 December 1961.
- ^ "Simplified way to buying industrial land". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. The Straits Times. 16 September 1962.
- ^ "$40 mil. for industry plan". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. The Straits Times. 1 September 1962.
- ^ "BOARD'S AIM: MORE AND MORE NEW INDUSTRIES FOR STATE". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. The Straits Times. 16 September 1962.
- ^ "Goh off to Tokyo to coax bigger capital flow to Singapore". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. The Straits Times. 2 March 1962.
- ^ "JAPANESE KEEN ON JOINT VENTURES HERE: MAYER". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. The Straits Times. 21 March 1962.
- ^ "MR SHINICHI TAKASUGI, ONE OF JAPAN'S MOST POWERFUL …". www.nas.gov.sg.
- ^ "MISSION PRAISES JURONG SITE". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. The Straits Times. 6 September 1962.
- ^ "$23 mil. shipyard for S'pore". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. The Straits Times. 7 September 1962.
- ^ "SHIP REPAIR YARD PLAN". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. The Straits Times. 10 May 1962.
- ^ "Three more U.N. experts due soon". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. The Straits Times. 16 September 1962.
- ^ "THIS BOARD HELPS INVESTORS IN MANY WAYS". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. The Straits Times. 3 June 1962.
- ^ "EDBI is the dedicated corporate investment arm of the EDB". www.edb.gov.sg. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
- ^ "DesignSingapore Council to transfer to EDB under MTI to drive design innovation across industries and enable growth beyond Singapore". MCI. 1 November 2018. Retrieved 24 September 2019.
- ^ "DesignSingapore Council to become EDB agency to help local companies expand beyond Singapore". The Straits Times. 1 November 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
- ^ "EDB unit wants to go beyond keeping Singaporeans in touch". The Straits Times. 2 January 2020.
- ^ "EDB offices". www.edb.gov.sg. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
- ^ https://www.edb.gov.sg/en/business-insights/insights/charting-a-greener-path-unlocking-sustainable-solutions-through-mnc-local-enterprise-collaboration-in-singapore.html
- ^ https://www.sktes.com
