Feb 18, 2009: From China to the Caribbean, Singapore e-Government has become a major international brand, says Seah Chin Siong, CEO of the newly-launched IDA International Pte Ltd, during the SiTF Business Outlook 2009 forum (picture above).

Unveiled yesterday, IDA International aims to export Singapore's e-Government or public sector infocomm expertise and good practices to governments around the world.

IDA International, a subsidiary of Singapore's Infocomm Development Authority, serves as the execution arm for public service Infocomm partnerships with foreign governments, says Mr Seah.

“We apply Singapore's know-how, skills and professional expertise to assist governments achieve their vision and outcomes,” he says. Such partnerships include places as far flung as Trinidad and Tobago, South Africa, Guangzhou and Brunei.

Some of the foreign requests were in the following key areas: Infocomm master planning, e-Gov master planning, manpower development, sector or cluster development (education, healthcare, transport and the judiciary), and industry development.

The new organisation would be working with local IT companies, as well as partnering agencies such as International Enterprise Singapore and Singapore Cooperation Enterprise to export Singapore's ICT capabilities.

IDA International has signed agreements with several local companies, which it will involve in its foreign engagements, such as NCS, ST Electronics (Info-Software Systems), Infowave, Eucharist, SQLView, Ecquaria Technologies, Netrust and Elixir.

Strong execution capability

“Can the Singapore Inc. model work in the rest of the world?” asks Mr Seah. The short answer is, yes, because Singapore’s IT manpower employ sound principles and possess strong execution capability, he adds.

Ms Tan Yen Yen, chairman of Singapore Infocomm Technology Federation (SiTF), said the formation of IDA International would open up new opportunities for Singapore IT companies

“Through IDA International’s engagement with overseas markets, Singapore infocomm companies can now leverage on the opportunities that previously may not have been available,” she says, noting that the e-Government chapter of SiTF will collaborate with IDA International in accelerating Singapore ICT industry and gain greater recognition for Singapore innovative solutions and services in the global market.