Niche industries can help S’poreans develop advanced skills: Tharman

SINGAPORE — Developing niche specialisations in industry will create opportunities for Singaporeans to develop advanced skills, said Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam at the opening of a diamond greenhouse today (March 17).

He added that the Government will continue to encourage adoption of advanced technologies in manufacturing, as Singapore companies look globally for markets for their specialised products.

Touted as the world’s largest diamond greenhouse, the 200,000 square-feet greenhouse located at Tukang Innovation Drive will produce artificial diamonds that are physically and chemically identical to their naturally grown counterparts.

Mr Tharman noted that IIA Technologies, which owns the greenhouse, occupies a “fascinating niche” in high value manufacturing. Besides creating spin-offs for other industries, the company would create good jobs for Singaporeans due to the highly specialised nature of its work, he said.

To coincide with Singapore’s jubilee celebrations this year, IIa Technologies said it is launching a “Cultured in Singapore” brand initiative to signify the technological advancement in diamonds that the company has achieved here.