PM Lee Hsien Loong at the Opening of IM Flash Singapore's Nand Flash Wafer Fab
Speech by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the opening of IM Flash Singapore's Nand Flash Wafer Fab at IM Flash Singapore on 21 April 2011.
Mr Steve Appleton, Chairman and CEO of Micron Technology
Mr David Baglee, Vice President of Technology and Manufacturing Group, Intel Corporation
Distinguished guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
Congratulate Intel and Micron on the grand opening of this NAND flash wafer fab
Marks a new milestone for the semiconductor industry in Singapore
At US$3 billion, this is one of the largest investments in Singapore, and will bring significant spinoffs to supporting industries
New wafer fab is state of the art
Singapore’s first 300 millimetre NAND facility
Manufactures NAND flash memory chips using the 25 nanometre process technology
Most advanced volume production process for semiconductor and memory chips today
Such leading edge capabilities will strengthen our semiconductor industry
This is important for two reasons – good growth and good jobs
Good growth
Our semiconductor industry is the fastest growing segment of the electronics cluster, expanding 64% last year
Electronics underpins our manufacturing sector, which is a key pillar of Singapore’s economy
Over the last 10 years, Singapore’s semiconductor industry has consistently outpaced global industry growth
This strong performance has contributed significantly to our economic growth and prosperity
Good jobs
IM Flash Singapore employs 1,200 workers
Six in ten are Singaporeans and PRs, while four in ten are foreigners
Singaporeans and PRs take up 2/3 of the managerial and professional positions, whereas 2/3 of the technician and manufacturing jobs are done by the foreigners
Without the foreign workers, we would not have attracted this US$3 billion investment, and Intel and Micron would have built its wafer fab elsewhere
But by allowing in a controlled number of foreign workers, far from disadvantaging Singaporean workers, we have created more good jobs for Singaporeans
For every 1 foreign worker, we have created 1.5 local jobs in this project
Semiconductor industry as a whole employs 40,000 workers
More than 3,300 new jobs were added in 2010
Many are skilled, high-paying jobs, with good opportunities for advancement, that Singaporeans can take up
Hence semiconductors and advanced wafer fabrication are key areas we want to grow
Global semiconductor industry is fiercely competitive
Today, Singapore ranks second in the world in terms of wafer capacity, compared to other cities
But the only way to sustain our advantage is to keep at the forefront of technology
By bringing in advanced operations, like this NAND flash wafer fab, and also by investing in R&D
For next generation memory chips, A*STAR’s Data Storage Institute (DSI) leads our R&D efforts
It is looking into technologies to make memory chips with 10 times more storage density
This means holding 10 times as much data – songs, pictures and videos – in our smart phones and other devices
DSI’s work will help maintain our status as the leading data storage and memory hub in Asia
Semiconductor industry is also a risky, cyclical business
I know this facility had faced some challenges along the way
Construction was put on hold in 2008 due to the memory chip downturn and global financial crisis
But due to the hard work and active cooperation between EDB and the two partners, project was restarted and is now completed
Commend those who worked on project for pushing ahead despite the obstacles
Thank Intel and Micron for their continued confidence in Singapore
Singapore’s ability to ride the ups-and-downs is a key survival trait for a small country
Can be sure we will face new crises in future
We need to stay nimble, resilient and cohesive to ride the storms
Also need far-sighted leadership who can anticipate problems, plot a safe path through the dangers and find new ways to maximise our opportunities
We can expect to face more competition in the future
Hence must keep ourselves a compelling business location
Attractive business and regulatory regime
Harmonious labour relations
Stable government
Rational and consistent policies, over a long term
Strong commitment to work through challenges with investors
Singapore has done this over past decades
We are determined to keep it up
Work together to keep Singapore growing and prospering, and creating good jobs for our people
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