More business opportunities ahead for S'pore and Guangdong

SINGAPORE : Bilateral trade between Singapore and Guangdong jumped by 41 per cent on-year to US$6.91 million for the first five months of 2010. 

And there are more business opportunities ahead, particularly in the healthcare sector. 

At its second meeting, the Singapore-Guangdong Collaboration Council (SGCC) said the healthcare reform in China will drive demand for solutions in hospital administration and staff training. 

Six agreements were also signed to spur business in sectors like food manufacturing, retail and ship building. 

In its work plan for next year, SGCC wants to focus on areas such as vocational training, IT and e-government services for possible collaboration. 

Official data has shown that 22 Singapore projects valued at US$120 million have been approved by Guangdong in the first five months of the year, up 135 per cent from a year before. 

And both sides want to expand cooperation beyond the business areas. 

Lui Tuck Yew, Acting Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts, said: "There was a suggestion to bring a media group over to Guangdong so that we better understand the opportunities, the growth, as well as what they are doing for the Asian Games, and then come back and write about it to better enlighten Singaporeans as to the possibilities and dynamism of the entire province." 

More opportunities for collaboration were highlighted at the Sino-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City seminar. 

Master developer Singbridge said the city will require a whole spectrum of infrastructure such as water supply, real estate such as high tech parks and residential projects, and services like medical facilities, pre-schools and food courts for the local residents. 

However, as collaborations increase, disputes may arise. However, SGCC said it can be a facilitator to make sure such issues are being resolved effectively. - CNA/ms