SPEECH BY MRS YU-FOO YEE SHOON

MINISTER OF STATE FOR

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, YOUTH AND SPORTS

at the Handover Ceremony of Junction 8 Tower Office

Tuesday, 29 March 2005, 12.30pm

3^rd Level, Open Plaza, Junction 8 Shopping Centre

Her Excellency, Mdm Ambassador Belen Anota

Ambassador for the Philippines

Mr Hsuan Owyang, Chairman of CapitaMall Trust Management Limited and Deputy Chairman of CapitaLand Group

Mr Liew Mun Leong, Vice-chairman of CapitaMall Trust Management Limited and President & Chief Executive Officer of CapitaLand Group

Mr Pua Seck Guan, Chief Executive Officer of CapitaMall Trust Management Limited

Mr Gerard Ee, President of National Council of Social Service

Distinguished guests

          Good afternoon.  It gives me great pleasure to be here this afternoon to witness the handover ceremony of Junction 8 office tower.

2        This handover ceremony marks a significant and innovative partnership between the private and the people sector, facilitated by the Government.   

3        CapitaMall Trust is the first real estate investment trust to capitalise on the Urban Redevelopment Authority�s (URA) scheme which allows it to expand its retail complex by giving up its office tower for use by community organisations, thereby maximising the use of resources in land-scarce Singapore. 

4        The partnership will make available well-located premises for Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs) in Bishan, enabling them to reach out to a wide network of clients and volunteers, in Bishan as well as the nearby Toa Payoh, Thomson and Ang Mo Kio estates.  I understand that no rental would be charged.  The VWOs only need to pay service and maintenance fee. Thus, this will help to reduce the VWOs� operating cost, and provide another affordable avenue for their accommodation.      

5        I am grateful to the management of CapitaMall Trust for accommodating community organisations within their retail and office complex.  I urge other commercial developers in Singapore to open up their premises to community organisations. My appreciation also goes to the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) for taking on the space for their member VWOs. I am glad to see that NCSS constantly seeks to enhance its services and support for VWOs so that our VWOs can do an even better job of serving Singaporeans.

6        It is my wish to see such people, private and public sector partnerships flourish for the benefit of the community.  As many helping hands across our society join together to strengthen community bonds, we will build a stronger and more united Singapore.

7        Thank you.