• Recognition that the global Irish community is an enormous and unique asset.
• Need to increase awareness of Ireland in key Asian markets.
• Build new connections with those in our host countries, who have an affinity to Ireland, through education, business

Meanwhile, the First Friday of the month will return to Ireland House, after a very successful first Friday lunch at the Grand Hyatt hotel in February. This month, speakers include Steve Greenwood of Berkeley Recruitment and Valerie Garcia of Open University.

This year, the St Patrick’s Day Parade celebrates 5 years since it was founded by the Irish Business Association in 2005. The parade , which raises the awareness of Ireland in Singapore, is jointly organized by a steering committee which includes representatives of the St Patrick’s Society, the Gaelic Lions GAA Club, and past pupils of leading local schools, St Patrick’s and St Joseph’s Institution. In addition to being an enjoyable day out attended by some 3,500 people, the Parade showcases Ireland’s culture, builds on the distinguished heritage of the Irish community in Singapore, and promotes business ties in an informal, relaxed, family setting. If you would like to march as part of the Irish Chamber’s contingent, please contact Juliana Stening.

Budget 2010 - Singapore

February saw the Government announce the budget for 2010, a year in which GDP growth is expected to recover to between 4.5% and 6.5% from negative growth of 2% in 2009.

The budget approach for 2009 had incorporated numerous “resilience” measures, designed to save jobs, and assist Singapore-based businesses during the global financial crisis. In the event, Singapore’s budget deficit of S$8.5 billion (3.3% of GDP) in 2009 was considerably lower than the S$14.9 billion which had been budgeted, reflecting the better than expected performance of the economy and property market.

For the 2010 budget, with unemployment having peaked during 2009 at 3.3%, and now back to 2.1%, the focus of Government measures for 2010 and beyond is on restructuring the economy to boost productivity, and position Singapore as an advanced economy.

Clean Tech Park

The Economic Development Board has unveiled a master plan for a 50 Hectare CleanTech Park (CTP), which is designated to become an ’epi-centre’ for research, innovation and commercialisation of clean technology from both the public and private sectors.

Singapore’s first eco-business park is expected to create 20,000 jobs and draw some $2.5 billion worth of investments in buildings by its 2030 completion.

At a macro level, CleanTech Park fleshes out the Economic Strategies Committee’s vision of Singapore as a ’living lab' for global companies to test-bed and commercialise green solutions, especially for urban and tropical settings. It will also be a significant leg-up for the cleantech industry which EDB sees as a key growth cluster and expects to contribute $3.4 billion to GDP and employ 18,000 people by 2015.

The Irish Chamber is working with members to capitalize on Singapore’s drive into the Green sector.

Membership

The Irish Chamber can only be effective with your continued support. If you have not already renewed your membership, please do so now. Please go to the website at www.irishbusinessassociation.com, or contact Juliana Stening at ed@irishbusinessassociation.com . Attendance at the AGM is open to paid-up members only.

Kind regards,