New framework aims to boost Singapore's competitiveness in energy and chemicals manufacturing

Companies in the process construction and maintenance industry that provide services to energy and chemicals plants will soon be able to attain recognition if they meet certain productivity benchmarks. A new certification framework will evaluate companies in four areas: how they improve planning and execution through using project management tools; technology adoption; staff development; and how well they collect data that can be analysed. Certified companies benefit as plant owners would be more likely to engage them for contracts, said Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Koh Poh Koon in launching the framework  He added that the initiative - the Economic Development Board (EDB) said it is the first in the world for the energy and chemicals industry - can be a strong value proposition for Singapore if implemented well. "While we may have to face carbon constraints, we may have to face land constraints, let us not make people, the only resource we have, become a constraint as well," Dr Koh told around 100 people at an industry seminar on productivity at the Trade Association Hub in Jurong East.