Singapore to invest more on infrastructures to support
growth
By Johnson Choo, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 10 February 2007 0031
hrs
Singapore is re-looking at how it can attract investments and
support economic growth in the future.
In a first ever major mid-term review of the Urban Redevelopment
Authority's 10-year rolling Concept Plan, the government is making
adjustments in view of the changing economic climate.
The government is upbeat over the long term economic growth
potential in the region.
This is evident in its move to adjust the population parameter for
the Concept Plan from the current 5.5 million to 6.5 million.
What this means is, based on this enlarged population, Singapore
would have to re-look at how it apportion land for various
uses.
To tap into investment opportunities in high value-added
industries, the government is looking into setting aside land for
the new growth sectors such as the aerospace industry, which has
grown by more than 12 percent annually over the past 15
years.
Besides enhancing and upgrading the air and sea ports, the
government also plans to set aside more land and invest in more
infrastructure ahead of time.
The island's transportation network is set to be beefed up for
better connectivity.
Mah Bow Tan, Minister for National Development, says: "LTA
is currently carrying out feasibility studies for a new 33-station
Downtown Line. This 40 km underground line will link up the
developments in Marina Bay to estates in the Choa Chu Kang/Bukit
Panjang/Bukit Timah corridor, and the MacPherson /Bedok
Reservoir/Tampines corridor. Beyond that, LTA will be evaluating
other new lines as well as extensions to current lines in different
parts of Singapore which are currently under-served by the RTS
network. In the long term, we may need to at least double our rail
network."
The government will also enhance and create new areas to meet the
demand for space for financial and business services.
This includes transforming Jurong into another hub like the
Tampines Regional Centre, one up north in Woodlands and a
sub-Regional Centre in Paya Lebar. - CNA/ch
Bt Timah Line and Eastern Region line coming up. I heard from
strait times, north shore line will also be in the planning.
Hopefully can see those lines up soon!
