GOVERNMENT'S POLICY WITH REGARD TO INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT; NEW FACTORIES OPENED IN 1956 AND NUMBER OF WORKMEN EMPLOYED

Wednesday, 6th June, 1956

Mr John Ede asked the Minister for Commerce and Industry whether he will give details in respect of the Government's declared policy of encouraging industrial development, what the results so far achieved are, and whether he will supply a list of new factories opened in 1956, together with the number of workmen employed therein.

Mr J. M. Jumabhoy: The Government is keenly interested in industrial development and is anxious to assist in the setting up of new factories in Singapore. Steps that are being taken to encourage the establishment of new industries include the setting aside of areas for industrial development, notably at Toa Payoh and possibly later at Tanjong Beylaya, and proposals for the establishment of an Industrial Promotions Board to assist small-scale manufacturers and for making sites available through the Singapore Improvement Trust on reasonable terms. The possibility of reducing the cost of water supplied to industrial users is being discussed with the City Council.

Preliminary inquiries are dealt with by the Development Section of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry which will shortly be strengthened by the appointment of an Industrial and Commercial Intelligence Officer.

Exact figures relating to factories newly opened in 1956 are not available but it is known that the undermentioned factories amounting to 27 in all have been opened since January of this year. This number compares with 7 that were opened during the whole of 1955. No. of Name Workmen employed Concrete Pipes and Slabs Manufacturing Co. 10 Nam Seng & Co. 6 Malaya Pencil Manufactory 3 Hong Yew & Company 7 Union Shoe & Company 14 No. of Name Workmen employed Kuay Teow Manufacturers 4 Chin Chew Kong 17 Chin Hin Rice Mill 7 Kwang Nam & Co. 3 Terco (Malaya) Ltd. 19 Pacific Engineering Ltd. 14 Ridsect Company 10 Fui Chiu Industrial Society 8 Lian Pang Iron Works 6 Ho Hin Bran & Rice Mills 7 Poultry Industries (M) Ltd. 24 Tai Ann Noodle Factory 3 Sin Ah Co. Shoes Manufacturing 8 Wing Tong Hardware Manufacturers 6 Hua Say Sawmill 10 Lian Hin Noodle Factory 6 Kin Wah Machinery Furniture & Co. 8 Weng Sand Hui Kee 8 Hup Seng & Co. 8 Teck Huat Heng 7 Lian Cheong Steel Trunk Factory 9 Sin Hup Huat & Co. 6 ----- 238 ----- A further company, the Singapore Steel & Iron Rolling Mill Ltd. which will employ 35 persons, is due to commence operations shortly.