Mr Yuzaburo Mogi

 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kikkoman Corporation

Prof Shih Choon Fong

President, National University of Singapore

Distinguished guests

Ladies and gentlemen

Good afternoon  

1.      It is my pleasure to be here today at the opening of the Kikkoman-NUS R&D laboratory.

Expanding R&D Capabilities

2.            This is a significant development for a number of reasons. This laboratory represents the first Kikkoman R&D facility outside of Japan. It is an important milestone in Kikkoman�s 20 year history in Singapore. But it is also significant as an example of how, within one industry, Singapore is attempting to stake a position amongst the leaders by investing in R&D. And it is an example of how we are establishing deep capabilities in R&D through tie-ups between universities and leading companies.

3.            R&D is a key strategy for Singapore�s future. We are scaling up our efforts. Singapore is setting up a Research, Innovation and Enterprise Council, bringing together both the public and private sectors, to spearhead research and innovation strategies that will lead the nation forward. A National Research Foundation will also be set up to provide long-term research funding in strategic areas. Through these two national initiatives, Singapore intends to  double its R&D spending by 2010.  

Developing the Food Industry

4.            Why do we want to develop the food industry? The food sector may strike some as being �old economy�. It is in fact a growth industry of the future, with huge new demands coming out of the growing desire for health and wellness amongst affluent populations all over the world. In Asia alone, the demands created by a rapidly growing middle-class will be enormous.  This is a �new old economy� industry, drawing increasingly on science and technology to meet new demands and create new possibilities for human well-being. This is why food is one of the growth industries that Singapore is committed to revitalise and develop.

5.            The manufacturing output for the food industry last year was S$4.2 billion. This was a contribution of almost 1%[1] to our GDP - a figure that is likely to grow.

6.            Singapore's strategy to grow the food industry is based on the four cornerstones of trust, science, innovation and connectivity. Trust is critical in the food industry. It refers to our international standing for food safety and certification, that we will keep upholding. Innovation speaks of the new products and processes and the new business models and partnerships being introduced in the industry. And underlying innovation is science, particularly in the areas of nutrition and functional ingredients. The National University of Singapore�s food science and technology programme is a key partner in this initiative.  The final cornerstone, of connectivity, points to Singapore's excellent logistics network as well as the increased ease of market access for firms based in Singapore via our comprehensive network of Free Trade Agreements.

7.            We are working to enhance the competitiveness of the food sector. Our various government agencies such as EDB, SPRING and IE Singapore are working together to develop the total ecosystem of players for a internationally competitive food industry. We are addressing the basics such as cost, manpower development and upgrading and automation within the industry to reduce its reliance on labour. In order to build up manpower capabilities, the EDB is working with our institutions of higher learning to develop curricula tailored to the industry�s needs.  NUS will be introducing Food Science and Nutrition as an undergraduate degree minor next year.  Our polytechnics are continuing to develop their programmes in Food Science, Agricultural Science and culinary arts.  EDB is also  seeking to broaden the food industry by attracting players from across the extended food chain. SPRING is helping smaller local firms to upgrade their capabilities for the export market, And IE Singapore is building brand awareness of Singapore food, and  enabling market access for Singapore companies.

8.            Today we are home to over 600 food manufacturers, including several established Japanese players such as Kikkoman, Meiji Seika, Fuji Oil and Pokka.

9.            Kikkoman is an established leader in the field. Kikkoman has established a brand name for quality, naturally brewed soy sauce. It has developed expertise in combining tradition with modern technology to create innovative products that cater to the tastes of its diverse markets. I am told that Singapore�s multi-cultural milieu and excellent connectivity to the regional market were key factors that motivated Kikkoman to establish a R&D facility in Singapore.

Kikkoman-NUS Partnership

10.       The Kikkoman-NUS R&D laboratory exemplifies greater interactivity between university and corporate partners and parallel innovation. While Kikkoman leverages on Singapore�s commercial connectivity to Asia, to develop and commercialise their product innovations, NUS will be able to tap on Kikkoman�s expertise in fermentation technology to strengthen its foundation in functional food research. The collaboration between universities, where basic science is explored and where technical training take place, and companies which are steeped in industrial and applied research will help inspire researchers.

11.        I am delighted that NUS students have this excellent opportunity to collaborate with Kikkoman�s researchers to develop innovative food products. The collaborative R&D project will involve biotech research into Asian cuisines and ingredients. It will I am sure support Kikkoman�s plans to expand in the Asian markets. I hope that more companies will follow Kikkoman�s lead and work with our tertiary institutions to further their research efforts.

12.       It is heartening to note that Kikkoman which chose Singapore as a key manufacturing site 20 years ago is today strengthening its presence through this R&D laboratory.  I congratulate Kikkoman and NUS on their partnership and wish them every success in their journey of collaborative innovation.