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AsiaOne
8 hours ago
- Business
- AsiaOne
Eye care giant Alcon keeps 'lens' on the future with expanded manufacturing and logistics facility in Tuas, Singapore News
Eye care-device giant Alcon officially opened its expanded state-of-the art manufacturing and logistics facility in Tuas Biomedical Park on Friday (June 27) morning. This brings Alcon's investments in Singapore to more than US$600 million (S$765 million) since it began operations in Singapore back in 2005. The completed Tuas facility is one of the Swiss-American firm's largest high-tech manufacturing sites with Industry 4.0 capabilities, advanced automation and smart manufacturing systems to meet the increasing global demand for its contact lenses. Amid a growing middle class and rising demand for quality healthcare, the Asia-Pacific region continues to be the fastest-growing market for medical technology, with its market value projected to reach nearly S$300 billion by 2030. This puts the region second only to the US as a source of demand for medical technology (Medtech). "Singapore is home to some of the world's best-in-class Medtech manufacturing palnts. The sector has been growing steadily, with a manufacturing output of S$19.4 billion in 2023. This marks a $5.2 billion increase over the past decade," said Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Low Yen Ling at the opening ceremony of Alcon's expanded facility. Beyond strengthening innovation and supply chain resilience within Singapore's MedTech ecosystem, Alcon's investment is also expected to benefit Singaporean workers and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Singapore. Muhammad Haiqal Bin Sapuan, an associate supervisor at Alcon made the switch from the oil and gas industry, through the Career Conversion Programme (CCP), in 2022 to have more time with his family. A year and a half into his role as a senior technician, he was nominated by his peers to step up as an associate supervisor. [[nid:707984]] "That recognition gave me confidence. I started off as an interim, and it was tough at first, but the team's support made the difference," said Haiqal. To date, nearly 180 Singaporean workers have benefitted from the CCP to become Alcon associates. Alcon's new facility is expected to create new job opportunities in production operations, quality control and supply chain management. It is also expected to strengthen innovation and supply chain resilience within Singapore's Medtech ecosystem through initiatives such as the Partnership for Capability Transformation, which partners local SMEs to buiild capabilities from precision moulding to packaging, helping them to scale and compete globally. [[nid:715407]] editor@
Business Times
a day ago
- Business
- Business Times
Swiss-American eye care firm Alcon launches expanded Tuas manufacturing facility
[SINGAPORE] Alcon, a Swiss-American pharmaceutical and medical device company specialising in eye care products, opened its expanded manufacturing and logistics facility in Tuas on Friday (Jun 27). This brings its total investment in Singapore to more than US$600 million since opening its first manufacturing site here in 2005. Located in Tuas Biomedical Park, the facility is one of Alcon's largest manufacturing sites, featuring advanced automation, smart manufacturing systems and industry 4.0 capabilities to support the increasing global demand for its contact lenses. It is also designed for operational efficiency and sustainability, with automation; digital systems; and features that reduce energy use, water consumption and waste. It has achieved zero waste to landfill and supports scalable production for global demand. Speaking at the launch event, Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Low Yen Ling said the partnership between Alcon and Singapore over the past 20 years exemplifies how deep, sustained collaboration can drive industrial growth and create meaningful careers for Singaporeans. 'Singapore is home to some of the world's best-in-class medtech manufacturing plants. The sector has been growing steadily, with a manufacturing output of S$19.4 billion in 2023, a nearly fourfold increase over the past decade,' she said. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up In a statement, Alcon said that the expansion is expected to create new 'high-value' jobs in areas such as manufacturing, quality control and distribution management. It will also support Singapore's ambition to grow its medtech workforce, which comprises over 400 companies and employs more than 16,000 people as of 2024. The company partners with local institutions and workforce programmes to build skills in precision engineering, biomedical sciences and artificial intelligence automation, supporting the growth of Singapore's medtech sector. One initiative is the Career Conversion Programme (CCP), which allowed the firm to tap into a broader, more diverse talent pool, including mid-career switchers and individuals seeking new roles. To date, nearly 180 associates have benefited. Muhammad Haiqal Sapuan, a beneficiary of the programme, worked in the oil and gas sector previously and joined Alcon as a senior technician in 2022. After participating in the CCP and undergoing strong mentoring, he now serves as an associate supervisor, leading a team of 15 in production technical operations. Alcon currently employs more than 25,000 people worldwide and serves over 260 million patients across 140 countries annually.
Business Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Times
Amazon Web Services and Digital Industry Singapore launch programme to spur AI transformation
[SINGAPORE] Amazon Web Services (AWS) and government agency Digital Industry Singapore (DISG) on Thursday (Jun 26) launched a programme to accelerate artificial intelligence (AI) transformation among enterprises over the next year. The initiative, called AI Springboard, will provide some 300 Singapore-based companies with up to S$600,000 in Amazon cloud credits and training support. AWS is the cloud computing unit of Amazon, and DISG is a joint office between the Economic Development Board, Enterprise Singapore and the Infocomm Media Development Authority. Participating companies will receive a maximum baseline of S$350,000 in cloud credits and training support. They will also work with AWS' consultancy partners – such as AI firm AiRTS and digital transformation solutions provider Temus – to develop AI solutions. Once there is a proof of concept or minimum viable product, up to S$100,000 of the dedicated credits will be disbursed. More support worth up to S$250,000 will be released when these ideas are then scaled to production. Companies can also tap additional support, including another S$250,000 in credits to help them offset the costs of moving workloads to the cloud, as well as technical and financial aid. These extra resources will be awarded on a case-by-case basis. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up The Singapore government will cover 70 per cent of consultancy costs, capped at S$105,000 for each enterprise. The programme is open to Singapore-registered companies across all sectors, subject to the Enterprise Compute Initiative's (ECI) eligibility criteria, such as 'experience in building a custom AI solution for a proof of concept', AWS said in a press release. Announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in Budget 2025, the ECI helps companies access AI tools and computing power. AI Springboard is the second ECI programme. The first, AI Cloud Takeoff, was launched on Jun 13 by Google Cloud and DISG, and grants participating companies up to S$500,000 in financial incentives. Tacking sectoral challenges AWS also announced the launch of its innovation hub on Thursday. Set within the company's Asia-Pacific headquarters in IOI Central Boulevard Towers, the 8,000-square-foot facility features more than 30 use cases for cloud technology, including in industries such as manufacturing and agriculture. Through the hub, AWS said it aims to engage over a thousand C-suite leaders and business decision-makers each year. It will also provide tertiary education students with exclusive learning experiences. The 'multimillion-dollar' facility follows AWS' commitment to invest US$9 billion into Singapore's cloud infrastructure by 2028. AI Springboard participants will also gain access to the innovation hub. Speaking at the launch, Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Low Yen Ling said that AWS' new initiatives will enable Singapore businesses to harness AI to become more competitive, enhance their products and services, as well as create better jobs. Besides 'featuring success stories from Singapore', the new innovation hub will develop solutions that 'address sectoral challenges faced by our businesses and unlock new opportunities for growth', she added.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Up to 300 S'pore firms stand to get cloud credits, grants to spur AI trials under new programme
(From left) Digital Industry Singapore assistant vice-president Mabel Seah, AWS Singapore country manager Priscilla Chong, Global Sales Asia Pacific & Japan VP Jaime Valles, Senior Minister of State Low Yen Ling, Digital Industry Singapore senior vice-president Philbert Gomez and Singapore country manager for Public Sector Elsie Tan at the launch of the new AWS Innovation Hub. PHOTO: AWS Up to 300 S'pore firms stand to get cloud credits, grants to spur AI trials under new programme SINGAPORE – As many as 300 local firms will each receive up to $600,000 in benefits under a new programme by Amazon's cloud arm to promote the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions. Called AI Springboard, the initiative by Amazon Web Services (AWS) will provide a baseline of $350,000 in dedicated cloud credits and training resources, with the remaining value made up of additional cloud credits from existing AWS programmes. These credits allow firms to trial and potentially adopt cloud tools. The funding is in addition to a government grant of up to $105,000 per enterprise for consultancy services supported by Digital Industry Singapore (DISG) – the government arm driving the programme, which is the second to take wing under the $150 million Enterprise Compute Initiative (ECI) announced in the 2025 Budget. The ECI supports firms by pairing them with major cloud providers to access AI tools, computing power and expert consultancy. To tap AI Springboard, companies must be registered or incorporated in Singapore and meet ECI eligibility criteria, such as having experience developing a custom AI solution for a proof-of-concept. The programme was announced on June 26 at the launch of AWS's new 8,000 sq ft Innovation Hub in Shenton Way – its first such facility globally – where enterprises can explore AI tools and work with AWS experts to develop and deploy AI solutions. Among the tools on showcase include a mini bike manufacturing line by AWS that demonstrates how companies can use AI and sensors to solve common production issues, and an AI-powered tool by ST Engineering that helps detect deepfakes, false information and harmful online content. AWS declined to disclose the cost of the hub, but noted that it is a ' multimillion-dollar ' investment on top of its previously announced US$9 billion (S$11.5 billion) commitment to Singapore's cloud infrastructure by 2028. It also said that it plans to engage more than 1,000 C-suite leaders and business decision-makers at the hub, offer 200 tertiary students an exclusive AI learning experience and support the training of 2,000 professionals in high-demand jobs like AI and cloud computing every year. Speaking at the launch ceremony for AI Springboard and the new Innovation Hub, Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Low Yen Ling said the Government is aiming to accelerate the development and deployment of AI across Singapore's economy. 'Through the (AI Springboard) programme, we aim to support participating companies in developing future-ready AI solutions that will transform their businesses,' she said. 'Multiple cohorts of the AI Springboard Programme will be onboarded this year, and I encourage companies to seize this opportunity to partner with AWS and DISG on their AI journey.' According to AWS, the $600,000 cloud credits and training support may be disbursed either in tranches or as a lump sum, depending on the scope and scale of each company's project. The Government's grant of up to $105,000 will be awarded once the company and AWS successfully develop and pilot at least one minimum viable product for the firm's AI use case. AWS Singapore country manager Priscilla Chong said AI Springboard brings together the firm's cloud and AI tools, technical expertise and training support to help local enterprises turn their ideas into real-world applications. She added that the decision to base its first Innovation Hub in Singapore reflects the company's confidence in the Republic as a key centre for innovation and technological experimentation. 'From one highly connected city-state, we can reach more than three billion people across Asia-Pacific and Japan, tap a deep pool of world-class tech talent, work with a government that consistently backs digital growth, and enable customers across industries to move faster with the confidence that Singapore's ecosystem provides,' she said. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
13-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Google Cloud and Singapore launch $500,000 AI incentive for 300 Enterprises
Senior Minister of State Low Yen Ling (3rd from right), with Google Cloud's executives, launching the inaugural AI Cloud Takeoff programme at Google Cloud office on June 13. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO SINGAPORE – Google's cloud unit has joined forces with the Government to outlay benefits worth $500,000 to each of 300 selected local companies in a bid to promote the use of advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions. The AI Cloud Takeoff, as the initiative is called, provides technical guidance, Google training resources and cloud services credits to help firms build in-house AI expertise and broaden their AI pilots into core operations. Companies must be locally registered or incorporated in Singapore, commit at least three employees in AI roles for at least six months, have formal support from a business leader, and have at least one AI use case ready to be worked on. The use case will be evaluated by the Digital Industry Singapore (DISG), the government arm driving the programme, which is the first to take wing under the $150 million Enterprise Compute Initiative announced in the 2025 Budget. The initiative aims to encourage companies to partner cloud providers to accelerate enterprise AI and cloud adoption. A key feature is a two-week AI capacity building boot camp with Google Cloud's experts to help firms set up AI Centres of Excellence within six months. Singapore has at least 26 of these centres, which concentrate innovation, experimentation, training, coordination and evaluation. Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Low Yen Ling said at the launch ceremony for the new programme that the Government hopes to have about 100 such centres, each serving as catalyst for broader industry transformation. Mr Mitesh Agarwal, Google Cloud's regional managing director for solutions and technology, told The Straits Times: 'When people develop Centres of Excellences, the rubber hits the road. 'That's when you start realising that hiring technical staff – AI engineers, machine learning engineers – and retaining them, keeping them motivated, is not easy.' Selected firms could consult seven advisory firms – Accenture, AsiaPac, CloudMile, Deloitte, Kyndryl, NTT Data, and Searce – to help them take their data exploration and experimentation stages to model training, deployment, performance monitoring and optimisation. Participants have six months to set a budget and turn out at least one viable AI use case. The grant will be disbursed in tranches as each milestone is hit. Mr Andy Welsh, chief technology officer of fintech Embed, which has been trialling the programme, urged firms to pick existing problems when formulating their viable use case. 'You have got people watching the problem and complaining about it. You get feedback quicker and you get results quicker. Don't invent a problem. Stick to something that's already nagging you.' The $500,000 grant comprises an estimated $105,000 to subsidise 70 per cent of consultancy service costs, $200,000 for training credits and certifications and $195,000 for cloud credits. Andy Welsh, Chief Technology Officer at fintech Embed, demonstrating his company's AI solution for arcade gaming at the launch of AI Cloud Take-Off (AI CTO) held at the Google office in Pasir Panjang on June 13. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO Mr Agarwal said the last tranche, cloud credits, is designed to encourage firms to take the final step – deployment. He said: 'When you deploy in a real world environment, that's where the (cloud) consumption goes up based on usage of your own customers.' Google Cloud, the world's third-largest cloud services provider by market share, estimates that a $150,000 budget set aside by companies would be enough for them to produce at least one viable use case. It added that firms applying for the programme do not need to be current Google customers. It is also prepared to support more enterprises if more than 300 companies apply. The new scheme replaces Google's 2023 AI Trailblazers programme that graduated 213 firms at early stages of AI adoption. All are now Google's customers, said Mr Agarwal. Firms were too wary of security and quality issues to adopt AI then, but the market is now more mature where many companies have already tried and adopted at least one enterprise AI solution, he added. As well as Embed, supply chain solutions firm YCH Group, investment platform Endowus and software company Polybee are among the 30 firms that have been trialling the new programme since late 2024. YCH is taking its new AI-powered document and cargo scanning solution to use in the Vietnam SuperPort. It plans to introduce the tool progressively in supply chain cities in Singapore and Malaysia. Container leasing company Seaco put up 30 AI use cases for the pilot. About six weeks ago, it started using AI to identify damaged containers at the Tuas depot. Mr Damian Leach, its chief information officer, said the automation has reduced times from days and weeks to a matter of minutes. Savings are expected to be around $10 million annually at least. He said: 'We interface with over 500 ports and depots across the world. A lot of these ports and depots are in emerging markets, and as you would imagine, the technology in those emerging markets isn't that great. 'So for us, the depot process was a critical function that we wanted to automate.' Embed, which provides services to entertainment complexes such as Timezone games arcades, introduced its AI kiosk solution in the US to personalise game rec ommendations and themes based on customer preferences . It is also able to direct customers to less performing games in an arcade. It's CTO, Mr Welsh, said: 'The cool part about this is that this AI says these games are underperforming at the moment, we need to drive more traffic that way.' Companies can apply at They can also contact Google Cloud at to discuss their AI use case. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
