When Singapore's finance minister delivered the Budget Statement, there was a lot in the way of incentives for innovation. However, Members of Parliament (MP) have since called for more initiatives to encourage the "green" effort in the country.
One thrust of Singapore's 2008 budget announced Feb. 15, is to spur the growth of innovative enterprises with significant incentives for them to create new ideas and products.
To make innovation pervasive in the economy, Minister of Finance Tharman Shanmugaratnam announced incentives to encourage research and development (R&D).
"In this year's budget, we will make Singapore one of the most competitive places for companies, big and small, to do R&D," declared the minister.
The government raised the quantum of tax deduction for expenditure incurred on R&D done in Singapore from 100 percent to 150 percent. This means that for every S$100,000 (US$71,100) of local R&D expenditure incurred, S$150,000 (US$106,650) may be claimed as a tax deduction.
Two new R&D incentives will also be introduced: a broad-based tax allowance that could be used against additional expenditure on R&D that companies do in Singapore; and an incentive to allow research intensive startups to convert their losses into cash grants of up to S$20,250 (US$14,400) per year.
On Monday, at the budget debate in Parliament, some officials said the government should provide more green incentives to encourage businesses and individuals to adopt environment-friendly practices, according to local media reports.
North West District mayor Teo Ho Pin suggested introducing incentives in three key areas: transportation, building and construction, and energy efficient products.
Building owners may be putting off fitting more efficient air conditioning systems, for example, as this would cost more in the short term, Teo said.
He also suggested the government provide more tax incentives, such as green property tax rebates for buildings designed and built with eco-friendly components.
Other MPs suggested the provision of fiscal incentives for eco-friendly business measures, such as a zero-rated goods and services tax for the procurement of energy saving devices, and enhanced capital allowances for energy efficient equipment used by companies.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
Zoo can be a S'pore global brand: New CEO
New Zoo Chief - Fanny Lai
Ah Meng, the zoo's iconic orang utan mascot, was 'very special, like a part of our management team', Ms Lai, 50, said in a recent interview, when recalling the eulogy a week ago.
Ah Meng died on Feb 8.
Ms Lai, the recently promoted head of the zoo's corporate parent - and who used to sell hamburgers - wants it to be as world famous as Singapore Airlines.
In 2004, Ms Lai had joined the zoo's parent group after 14 years in marketing at McDonald's.
She was recently promoted to group chief executive of Wildlife Reserves Singapore, which oversees the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari, and Jurong BirdPark.
Wildlife Reserves itself had recent 'losses'.
Dr Wong Hon Mun, 53, the BirdPark's executive director, had resigned amid major changes at the parent company - all within two months. These included the retirement of Wildlife Reserves' executive chairman Robert Kwan.
Following Ms Lai's promotion - from executive director of the zoo and Night Safari - Dr Wong quit.
Some observers speculated that Dr Wong may not be the only one leaving the BirdPark.
Asked if Dr Wong's resignation had anything to do with her promotion, she said:
'I don't know. I'm sure when we make a decision, many aspects come into play. I hope not.'
The group had wanted Dr Wong, who has been with the BirdPark for over 20 years, to take on a new job as division head of life science, conservation, research and education for the three parks.
He said no.
The group, 88 per cent owned by Temasek Holdings and 12 per cent by Singapore Tourism Board, was formed in 2000, bringing together the zoo, Night Safari and Jurong BirdPark.
It now has the world's largest animal collection with over 1,000 species.
Ms Lai joined the group as its marketing and communications director in 2004 and was appointed head of Singapore Zoo and Night Safari within a year.
She had her detractors. One former zoo staff said: 'She knows next to nothing about animal husbandry. She sells hamburgers.'
But Ms Lai turned that to advantage. Customers' expectations took top billing. 'I think that's what we do quite well,' she said. The statistics showed it.
During her watch, the 35-yearold zoo and Night Safari saw 100,000 more visitors every year. She introduced and revamped two dozen exhibits.
Two years ago, a $3.6 million Wildlife Healthcare and Research Centre was set up to raise the zoo's profile as a world-class training centre for zoo veterinary and conservation work.
This financial year, the three parks will have a revenue of $88 million. Profits account for 20 per cent of that.
Last year, the three parks' turnover was $77 million.
Ms Lai admits that she is no zoology expert, unlike her predecessor Bernard Harrison. But she has brought in marketing, branding and sales savvy.
'Can we build another SIA in Singapore? Yes, I think Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and BirdPark can be Singapore's next global brand,' declared the mother of a 21-year-old daughter and 15-year-old son.
Her immediate challenge is to integrate the 37-year-old BirdPark's resources and up its current 850,000 a year visitorship. The other two parks attract over a million visitors each year.
She paid tribute to Mr Harrison for giving the zoo a face. But she said: 'I prefer to focus more on the business than on personal brand. I believe in branding but not in personal branding.'
Fanny Lai had her detractors as she joined the zoo's parent group after spending 14 years with McDonald's. SHE spoke her mind in the corporate jungle. But in delivering a eulogy for Ah Meng, Singapore Zoo chief Fanny Lai spoke from her heart and shed tears.
Ah Meng, the zoo's iconic orang utan mascot, was 'very special, like a part of our management team', Ms Lai, 50, said in a recent interview, when recalling the eulogy a week ago.
Ah Meng died on Feb 8.
Ms Lai, the recently promoted head of the zoo's corporate parent - and who used to sell hamburgers - wants it to be as world famous as Singapore Airlines.
In 2004, Ms Lai had joined the zoo's parent group after 14 years in marketing at McDonald's.
She was recently promoted to group chief executive of Wildlife Reserves Singapore, which oversees the Singapore Zoo and Night Safari, and Jurong BirdPark.
Wildlife Reserves itself had recent 'losses'.
Dr Wong Hon Mun, 53, the BirdPark's executive director, had resigned amid major changes at the parent company - all within two months. These included the retirement of Wildlife Reserves' executive chairman Robert Kwan.
Following Ms Lai's promotion - from executive director of the zoo and Night Safari - Dr Wong quit.
Some observers speculated that Dr Wong may not be the only one leaving the BirdPark.
Asked if Dr Wong's resignation had anything to do with her promotion, she said:
'I don't know. I'm sure when we make a decision, many aspects come into play. I hope not.'
The group had wanted Dr Wong, who has been with the BirdPark for over 20 years, to take on a new job as division head of life science, conservation, research and education for the three parks.
He said no.
The group, 88 per cent owned by Temasek Holdings and 12 per cent by Singapore Tourism Board, was formed in 2000, bringing together the zoo, Night Safari and Jurong BirdPark.
It now has the world's largest animal collection with over 1,000 species.
Ms Lai joined the group as its marketing and communications director in 2004 and was appointed head of Singapore Zoo and Night Safari within a year.
She had her detractors. One former zoo staff said: 'She knows next to nothing about animal husbandry. She sells hamburgers.'
But Ms Lai turned that to advantage. Customers' expectations took top billing. 'I think that's what we do quite well,' she said. The statistics showed it.
During her watch, the 35-yearold zoo and Night Safari saw 100,000 more visitors every year. She introduced and revamped two dozen exhibits.
Two years ago, a $3.6 million Wildlife Healthcare and Research Centre was set up to raise the zoo's profile as a world-class training centre for zoo veterinary and conservation work.
This financial year, the three parks will have a revenue of $88 million. Profits account for 20 per cent of that.
Last year, the three parks' turnover was $77 million.
Ms Lai admits that she is no zoology expert, unlike her predecessor Bernard Harrison. But she has brought in marketing, branding and sales savvy.
'Can we build another SIA in Singapore? Yes, I think Singapore Zoo, Night Safari and BirdPark can be Singapore's next global brand,' declared the mother of a 21-year-old daughter and 15-year-old son.
Her immediate challenge is to integrate the 37-year-old BirdPark's resources and up its current 850,000 a year visitorship. The other two parks attract over a million visitors each year.
She paid tribute to Mr Harrison for giving the zoo a face. But she said: 'I prefer to focus more on the business than on personal brand. I believe in branding but not in personal branding.'
____________________________________________________________
"After Bernand Harrison exit, Dr Wong of Birdpark who must have served all his working life there is now forced to go - being shamed & downgraded to Hd of Research to serve his new Lady boss perhaps with BigMac every morning. Trying to match SIA world class standard is a fat hope, this lady looks more like an African Aborigine (see picture). This Chairman Robert Kwan gay (also gone) is keeping very low profile who must be hiding under her skirt all this while. How u see this shakeup?"
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Readings on Ah Meng
A LEGEND, NO LESS 'She had the character to be a mega-star, the personality to pull that off and became a legend.' FORMER ZOO CHIEF BERNARD HARRISON, on hearing about Ah Meng's death.
Ah Meng's Life
SHE was a great-looking Singapore girl who rubbed shoulders with royalty, movie stars and statesmen. People paid to sip tea with her, and countless others liked nothing better than to be photographed next to her.
So when Ah Meng the orang utan died yesterday, aged 48, it marked the end of an era at the Singapore Zoo.
Saddened by the news, former zoo chief Bernard Harrison remembered: 'She had the character to be a mega-star, the personality to pull that off and became a legend.'
Ah Meng was a household name and remained the zoo's star attraction, even as age slowed her down. In human terms, she was nearly 95, and is believed to have died of old age.
Born in Sumatra, Indonesia, she arrived at the zoo in 1971 after being removed from a family who kept her as an illegal pet.
Stardom came in 1982 with the zoo's 'Breakfast with An Orang Utan' programme, which featured Ah Meng at centre stage.
Within four years, she featured in almost 30 travel films and more than 270 write-ups worldwide.
Among those who dropped in on her were Britain's Prince Philip, pop superstar Michael Jackson and actress Elizabeth Taylor.
Such was her pulling power that the then Singapore Tourism Promotion Board made her a Special Tourism Ambassador in 1992, the first non-human recipient of the award.
The zoo's former head of public relations, Mr Robin Goh, said part of Ah Meng's charm was how she took to people.
'She came from a domesticated background as a pet and behaved differently from wild orang utans. She could drink tea from a teacup and looked good for an ape,' he said.
Ah Meng is survived by four children and six grandchildren.
A memorial will be held at 11am on Sunday at the zoo, and the public will be able to view Ah Meng's body from 9am.
Reacting to the news, President SR Nathan said at yesterday's Istana open house that Ah Meng had long been a symbol of the Singapore Zoo.
'A lot of people, both local and foreigners, have enjoyed her company,' he said. 'I'm sure the patrons of the zoo will miss her. But that's life.'
So when Ah Meng the orang utan died yesterday, aged 48, it marked the end of an era at the Singapore Zoo.
Saddened by the news, former zoo chief Bernard Harrison remembered: 'She had the character to be a mega-star, the personality to pull that off and became a legend.'
Ah Meng was a household name and remained the zoo's star attraction, even as age slowed her down. In human terms, she was nearly 95, and is believed to have died of old age.
Born in Sumatra, Indonesia, she arrived at the zoo in 1971 after being removed from a family who kept her as an illegal pet.
Stardom came in 1982 with the zoo's 'Breakfast with An Orang Utan' programme, which featured Ah Meng at centre stage.
Within four years, she featured in almost 30 travel films and more than 270 write-ups worldwide.
Among those who dropped in on her were Britain's Prince Philip, pop superstar Michael Jackson and actress Elizabeth Taylor.
Such was her pulling power that the then Singapore Tourism Promotion Board made her a Special Tourism Ambassador in 1992, the first non-human recipient of the award.
The zoo's former head of public relations, Mr Robin Goh, said part of Ah Meng's charm was how she took to people.
'She came from a domesticated background as a pet and behaved differently from wild orang utans. She could drink tea from a teacup and looked good for an ape,' he said.
Ah Meng is survived by four children and six grandchildren.
A memorial will be held at 11am on Sunday at the zoo, and the public will be able to view Ah Meng's body from 9am.
Reacting to the news, President SR Nathan said at yesterday's Istana open house that Ah Meng had long been a symbol of the Singapore Zoo.
'A lot of people, both local and foreigners, have enjoyed her company,' he said. 'I'm sure the patrons of the zoo will miss her. But that's life.'
MEMORIAL SERVICE
Zoo officials said a memorial service will be held for Ah Meng on Sunday at 11am at the Garden With A View at the Singapore Zoo. Her body will be displayed from 9am.
The Singapore Government should seriously think of rising half National flag today to mark and respect for her death.
Saturday, February 09, 2008
Ah Meng the Goddess
Ah Meng (circa 18 June 1960 – 8 February 2008) (Chinese: 阿明) was a female Sumatran Orangutan and a tourism icon of Singapore. She was smuggled from Indonesia and kept illegally as a domestic pet before being recovered by a veterinarian in 1971. She was then eleven years old and was given a home at the Singapore Zoo.
Ah Meng was the head of her small clan, which lives in a large enclosure with about twenty other orangutans. She had five children and became a grandmother in 1990.
She belonged to the Sumatran Orangutan species, a rarer breed of orangutan now critically endangered due to illegal logging and poaching. There are about only 7,500 Sumatran Orangutans left in the wild in the rainforests of Sumatra, Indonesia.
Friday, February 08, 2008
Ah Meng Dies!!!!
On the first day of Chinese New Year, happiness is spoiled by the death of My Singapore Zoo Idol!!!
http://www.zoo.com.sg/spotlight/ahmeng.htm
http://www.zoo.com.sg/spotlight/ahmeng.htm
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Quick thinking saves
Reuters- A German medical student got some unexpected practical experience at the zoo when she gave the kiss of life to a baby tiger choking on a piece of meat, the zoo director said Friday.
The student was passing the enclosure with her toddler son on a visit several weeks ago when she noticed the 4-month-old tiger choking and offered her assistance to the helpless keeper, said Andreas Jacob, director of the zoo in the eastern German city of Halle.
"The tiger tried to eat a piece of meat that was too big and started choking and shaking and then fell over," the student, Janine Bauer, told MDR radio.
"We got the piece out but he wasn't breathing so I tried mouth-to-mouth and heart massage," she added. "After 3-5 minutes he came to, thank God."
The zoo, which held a ceremony Friday to thank Bauer, has decided to call the tiger Johann, after her one-year-old son.
The student was passing the enclosure with her toddler son on a visit several weeks ago when she noticed the 4-month-old tiger choking and offered her assistance to the helpless keeper, said Andreas Jacob, director of the zoo in the eastern German city of Halle.
"The tiger tried to eat a piece of meat that was too big and started choking and shaking and then fell over," the student, Janine Bauer, told MDR radio.
"We got the piece out but he wasn't breathing so I tried mouth-to-mouth and heart massage," she added. "After 3-5 minutes he came to, thank God."
The zoo, which held a ceremony Friday to thank Bauer, has decided to call the tiger Johann, after her one-year-old son.
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