Speech by SMS Tan Kiat How at The Singapore Building Materials Suppliers’ Association 95th Anniversary Gala Dinner

Nov 29, 2024

A very good evening to all of you. I am very happy to join the Singapore Building Materials Suppliers’ Association (SBMSA) in celebrating your 95^th Anniversary. My heartiest congratulations to all of you. This is truly a significant milestone.

Over the decades, SBMSA has not only supported Singapore’s infrastructure needs, but it has also played a crucial role in Singapore’s transformation into a modern and vibrant metropolis. This is a testament to the importance of building materials as part of the construction industry’s value chain.

Recognising the Contributions of SBMSA’s Outgoing President Mr Ng Soy Ng

Today also marks a moment of transition for SBMSA in the appointment of your 60th Board of Directors, as Mr Ng Soy Ng will be handing over the reins of leadership to Mr Lim Hong Leong as the incoming president.

Mr Ng has dedicated over 30 years of service to the association and has led the association to achieve many remarkable milestones during his tenure. Under his leadership, SBMSA had established invaluable connections with China and ASEAN countries, fostering mutually beneficial business engagements, to elevate the association to greater heights. Mr Ng was also instrumental in establishing the Six Trade Associations and the Specialists Trade Alliance of Singapore (STAS). These associations have done much to strengthen collaboration between trade specialists in the Built Environment sector.

Thank you, Mr Ng, for your many years of dedication and commitment in supporting our building specialist contractors and suppliers to become more resilient and sustainable. The industry has benefitted from your astute leadership and I hope that you will continue to share your knowledge with the community in the years to come.

Leadership transitions such as this reflects not just continuity, but also a commitment to renewal and future-readiness. I am confident that under Mr Lim Hong Leong’s leadership, SBMSA will continue to scale new heights.

Incorporating Sustainability into Construction

Looking ahead, sustainability must be at the heart of how we build, ensuring that Singapore’s construction industry continues to develop and thrive. Incorporating sustainability in our construction practices would be a competitive advantage in the new and evolving carbon-lite economy.

让我用华语继续与大家分享。展望未来，可持续性必须是我们建筑方式的核心，以确保新加坡的建筑业继续蓬勃发展。在新兴低碳经济中，能把可持续性理念融入建筑实践中，将会成为竞争优势。

我们的承包商需要建立更环保的建筑方式。这包括提升针对建筑废料再循环的专业技能、使用更多可持续性的建筑材料，如低碳混凝土、采用较节能的建筑设备、以及加强在建筑施工过程中进行碳核算的能力。

今年初，在新加坡建筑材料商公会的新春午餐聚会上，李智陞部长与大家分享了关于节能津贴计划 (EEG) 的一些细节。这项计划旨在协助建筑业者采购能源效率较高的建筑设备，包括一些电动与节能机械，如电池能源储存系统（BESS）,电动挖掘机, 轮式装载机，和履带式起重机。

我很高兴与大家分享，节能津贴计划将于今年底在企业津贴网上开放申请。我鼓励大家利用这项计划来支持您在节能器材方面的投资，为企业的长期增长奠定更好的基础。

随着我们建筑业的利益相关者，包括发展商、顾问、建筑商、供应商和消费者，对可持续发展的意识日益提高，建筑材料商可以考虑为您的产品索取环保产品声明。这些声明透明地传达产品生命周期对环境的影响，为行业提供更环保的选项，同时促进可持续采购。

令人鼓舞的是，新加坡绿色建筑理事会（SGBC）作为我国绿色产品的认证机构，已将全球变暖潜能值（简称GWP）的要求纳入钢铁认证，并正与预拌混凝土 (RMC）供应商合作，将GWP纳入混凝土认证中。

Ensuring Resilient Supply Chains

Let me conclude in English. As we have seen from the COVID-19 pandemic, global and regional supply disruptions can occur anytime due to geopolitical tensions, outbreaks or climate-related events. Ensuring the resilience of our supply chains is a strategic necessity for Singapore to ensure business continuity.

Strong partnerships and open communication across the supply chain can help identify risks upfront and facilitate timely responses. We must shore up our resilience to reduce the risks of delays, material shortages and price volatility. I encourage all of you to think about how to enhance the resilience of your supply chains in your respective firms. An example would be to diversify sourcing options and leverage technology for real-time supply chain monitoring.

The government is committed to working with all Built Environment stakeholders to ensure that our Built Environment sector continues to be resilient, sustainable and vibrant.

Let me once again congratulate SBMSA on your 95^th Anniversary. I wish you many more successful years ahead!