NG Ghit Cheong 黄日昌
Economic Development of Singapore,
Accession Number 002026
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 12
Total Reels
- Jesley Chua Chee Huan
Interviewer
- 06:01:34
Total Running Time
- Mandarin
Language
Copyright Notice
All rights to the recordings and transcripts on this website, including the rights to copy, publish, broadcast and perform, are reserved. Written permission is required for any use. If you have any queries, please contact nas@nlb.gov.sg
Reel/Disc 1 of 12
Metadata
- 18 Jun 1998
Recording Date
- 00:30:34
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Born 1921, China. Family background. His siblings. How mother doted on him. Interviewee used to suffered from malnutrition. How family supported itself financially. Interviewee's educational background. Interviewee's four sisters. How mother disciplined him when he was young. Most of his village folks ventured overseas. Why he decided to venture to Nanyang. Interviewee's jobs in China before he ventured overseas. His journey to North Borneo.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 12
Metadata
- 18 Jun 1998
Recording Date
- 00:30:44
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*His first experience in North Borneo. Worked in his relative's bicycle shop. His working hours. Why he had problems trying to learn about bicycle repair. Types of duties he performed in the shop. Why he felt that youngsters should go through hardships when young. Why he subsequently worked in Sandakan. How he set up his bicycle shop in Sandakan. His business. Came to Singapore in 1946 to shop for supplies for his shop.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 12
Metadata
- 18 Jun 1998
Recording Date
- 00:30:07
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*His first impression of Singapore. Decided to remain in Singapore after arriving here. How he went into bicycle business here. Where he got his finances from. How he established his links with shops overseas. His business was profitable. He amassed great wealth during the Korean War. Well-known bicycle shops in Singapore. Imported most of his bicycles from UK. Brands of bicycles he sold. Why he turned his attention to Japan. How he came into contact with Sanyo. His business experience with the Japanese. Why he decided to learn English.
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Reel/Disc 4 of 12
Metadata
- 24 Jul 1998
Recording Date
- 00:30:19
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*How learning English helped him in his business. His business sales in Medan and Jakarta. Stiff business competition in Singapore in the bicycle trade. Strategies he adopted to ward off stiff business competition. Build his own "Dragon" brand bicycle. How he made improvements on the bicycle. Why bicycle business declined in 1960s. Switched to selling motor cycles and scooters. Why interviewee left the motor trade. Elaboration on the bicycle business in the early days. How he managed his business relation.
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Reel/Disc 5 of 12
Metadata
- 24 Jul 1998
Recording Date
- 00:30:08
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*His business philosophy. Competitors went to his company to learn from him. How he got to be the agent for Indonesia's motorcycle Ducati. Used motor- racing as one of the ways to promote his products in the 1960s. Why he went into selling other Sanyo products besides bicycle lamps. Why Sanyo cannot manufacture fridge and air-conditioners in Singapore.
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Reel/Disc 6 of 12
Metadata
- 24 Jul 1998
Recording Date
- 00:30:27
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Types of products Sanyo can manufacture in Singapore. Why it was profitable to manufacture fan and rice cooker. Over three thousand applicants responded to his advertisement for 12 factory workers in 1960s. How he introduced Sanyo Air-Con manufacturing into Indonesia. Why Sanyo Electronics Company was set up. His investment in Sanyo Air-Con manufacturing company. Why he ventured into home appliances business. His capital. Types of bank loans. Why he joint venture with the Japanese.
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Reel/Disc 7 of 12
Metadata
- 24 Jul 1998
Recording Date
- 00:30:17
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Selection of his factory workers. Interviewee's Sanyo factory. Management of the factory. His working relationship with the Japanese. Rising costs in air-con production. Sanyo Electronics is a branch from Sanyo Industry. Why he was not the agent for Sanyo Indonesia. Popular air-con brands in Singapore. Commercial air-con. Why Sanyo did not produce commercial air-con.
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Reel/Disc 8 of 12
Metadata
- 4 Aug 1998
Recording Date
- 00:30:33
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Interviewee's various office locations over the years. Why he went into supplying garment equipment. Initial problems he faced. Reasons for Taiwanese investing in garment manufacturing in Singapore in early 1970s. Interviewee set up garment equipment for clients in various countries. Technical schools in Singapore asked them to sponsor garment equipment for student training. Business peak in 1980s. His business philosophy. Why he initiated installment payment for his garment equipment. Why he did not go into garment production. Services provided by his garment equipment company.
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Reel/Disc 9 of 12
Metadata
- 4 Aug 1998
Recording Date
- 00:30:00
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Machines used in garment production. Advantages enjoyed by garment manufacturing business. Where interviewee got his technicians. How interviewee subsequently got involved in garment production. Prominent garment manufacturers in Singapore. Why garment manufacturing is more prominent in HongKong. His garment business.
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Reel/Disc 10 of 12
Metadata
- 4 Aug 1998
Recording Date
- 00:30:29
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
*Why he thought of retiring in 1988. Interviewee's various business failures in 1990s. Had properties in Shanghai, Beijing and Amoy. Why he went into property business in 1990s. Elaboration on his various properties in China. His style of management. Why his daughter joined him in his business. Qualities he expects from his employees. His daughter helps him with the finance while his son takes care of Sanyo Air-Con company. Why and how his grandson got into the family business despite his initial reluctance.
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