Innovation Symposium in Tokyo / 50 years of Singapore-Japan diplomatic ties, 2016

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-govt-shifts-policies-to-drive-innovation-say-panellists

As a panelist at the recent innovation symposium in Tokyo, I had the incredible opportunity to discuss the role of governments in promoting innovation and facilitating disruptive enterprises. The event, hosted by The Straits Times, marked 50 years of Singapore-Japan diplomatic ties and brought together experts from various industries to share their insights on the subject.

I was honored to share the stage with esteemed professionals such as Sahba Saint-Claire, CEO of Touche, Richard Chua, Executive Director of Yamato Holdings, and Lim Chuan Poh, Chairman of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research. The discussion was moderated by Fiona Chan, Managing Editor of The Straits Times.

We explored how governments can facilitate disruptive enterprises by providing a strong intellectual property regime and creating demand for cutting-edge technologies. I shared my insights on how the Singapore government has shifted its policies to encourage a healthier start-up culture, making it an attractive destination for innovative companies like BeMyGuest.

We also discussed the importance of governments providing easy public access to data, which can significantly boost innovation. By making data readily available, governments empower businesses and individuals to develop new solutions and services that address societal needs.