DPM Heng Swee Keat at the Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan 47th Board Installation Ceremony 2023

宗乡会馆联合总会会长蔡其生先生
潮州八邑会馆前会长曾建权先生
会长吴木兴先生
国会同僚
各位嘉宾
大家晚上好！ 

很高兴出席潮州八邑会馆第四十七届董事会的就职典礼。由于疫情的关系，上一届的就职典礼改由线上举行。今晚，大家能够聚集在一起，亲自见证新一届董事会的就职典礼，相信大家和我一样，感到特别开心！

团结一心，走出疫情

过去三年，在疫情的笼罩下，全球经历了巨大的挑战，我国也不例外。我首先要感谢所有新加坡人和企业，和政府并肩作战。因为有大家的谅解与配合、团结一心，我们才能够越战越勇，走出疫情。

我也要感谢潮州八邑会馆在疫情期间的种种贡献，尤其是曾建权前会长和他的团队的努力。在疫情最严重时，会馆分发了⼗万多个医用口罩给本地潮社团与会员。会馆也⽀持政府，制作了⼏段以潮州话讲解的视频，向国⼈传达重要的防疫信息。

除此之外，会馆也发挥创意，突破疫情所带来的局限。例如2021年的潮州节，就令我印象深刻。会馆利用科技，在线上推出中英双语的“虚拟潮洲村”，克服疫情的约束，顺利主办潮州节。

潮起同心,  扬帆远航

全球虽然走出了疫情，但世界经济局势并不明朗，中美关系也令人担忧。与此同时，科技的创新与突飞猛进，也将为我们的企业和工友带来巨大的契机。

我们必须掌握新机遇，努⼒推动我国的经济和企业转型，以应对未来的挑战。过去几年，在大家的紧密配合下，产业转型蓝图  取得了良好成效，我们现在也正在落实更新后的蓝图。 希望潮州八邑会馆会员继续把握机遇，为本地企业和工友创造更多机会。   

最关键的是，我国社会必须保持团结和凝聚力。新加坡是移民社会，我们的开放性和多元性让我们能够和世界接轨，是我国的一大优势。这个特征让新加坡能够继续立足于一个动荡的世界，在不同的文化之间搭起合作的桥梁。我们也必须继续吸引最好的企业和人才，并且全力培养本地人才。因此，我很高兴看到会馆邀请许多不同种族以及来自海外的嘉宾。

要保持团结，其中很重要的环节，是领导能力。领导如果有前瞻性和远见，并且能够凝聚团队精神，就能带领大家迈向共同的目标。今年的董事会的就职典礼恰逢 建国总理李光耀的百年冥诞。李光耀先生和他的领导团队，当年带领我国各族群和团体，团结一致，为新加坡的发展做出巨大贡献。我有信心， 新一届的董事也一定能够继续不分语言、种族和宗教，为我国社会的凝聚力和发展做出贡献，一同创造更美好的未来。 

再次感谢第46届董事会的贡献，也祝愿第47届董事会马到功成！

Let me now say a few words in English. I am very happy to see that we have a diverse group here this evening, including friends from different races, as well as those from overseas. Welcome!

Our clan associations have played an important role in Singapore’s development over the years. In the early years, they supported the pioneers who came here seeking a living. Over time, as our pioneers settled here, they have also played a valuable role in promoting traditional culture. This added to the vibrancy of our multicultural landscape. Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan is a very good example. As an immigrant society, openness and multiculturalism are defining traits of our society. This is a great advantage, as our people can better understand the different cultural contexts as they navigate the world, and also allows us to tap into opportunities in the region. As an immigrant society, openness and multiculturalism are defining traits of our society. This is a great advantage, as our people can better understand the different cultural contexts as they navigate the world, and also allows us to tap into opportunities in the region.
Looking ahead in a post-pandemic world, there are many challenges and opportunities. The economic outlook is challenging, and the geopolitical situation is also worrying. But there are also exciting growth opportunities, especially with the new waves of innovation and scientific advancements. 

To ride these waves of changes, it will be critical for our workers and businesses to adapt and transform. The Industry Transformation Maps have seen good progress since they were implemented in 2019, and we are now well underway in implementing the refreshed ITMs. I thank all our businesses for contributing to this effort, and encourage you to keep transforming and innovating. I was also glad to hear in Derek’s speech that under his leadership, the Huay Kuan will take a further step forward to support the local Teochew business community in seizing new opportunities across the region, while playing your part to foster an inclusive society. Indeed, leadership plays a critical role, in mobilising the energies of our companies and society, to strive towards the same goal. Our founding Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, played a critical role in leading Singapore, from a mud-flat to a modern metropolis. This year, we mark the 100th anniversary of his birth. This year’s installation of the 47th Board of Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan coincides with this very special year in Singapore’s history. So I look forward to the leadership of the 47th Board, to chart a new path, to bring all Singaporeans together, regardless of race, language or religion, to lead Singapore forward. And in this time of conflicts and contestation across the world, let us strive to exercise leadership, and work with people from all over the world, towards a better future for all. 

Once again, congratulations to the 47th Board of Directors, and special thank you to the 46th Board for your contributions.
I look forward to your contributions in the years ahead. Thank you.