Boost digital adoption for businesses and workers to stay ahead: DPM Heng

TAKING advantage of technology is key to seizing the best opportunities and stay ahead of the curve, said Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, at the launch of the Smart Nation & U festival on Thursday.

Giving the opening address, Mr Heng acknowledged that Singapore's startup ecosystem continues to thrive since the Smart Nation initiative was launched in 2014. Singapore remains focused on staying relevant by working with both businesses and workers to get ahead in their digitalisation journey.

"Under our Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2025 plans, the digital economy is a key research and development focus for the next five years," he noted.

Through continued investments in sectors such as quantum computing, artificial intelligence, data science and deep tech, Singapore will continue to retain its status as a vibrant innovation hub.

To ensure that workers are not left out of the move towards technology, upskilling and being open to adopt digitalisation will be critical, said Mr Heng. Exposing the workforce to skills like coding is a key factor to boost digital literacy and readiness for the future.

"With the progress that we have been making, our businesses and workers are now in a good position to ride on the digital wave," added Mr Heng.

The Smart Nation and U festival runs from Thursday to March 26, and comprises a series of industry panel discussions, jobs and skills fairs and webinars relating to tech upskilling. The public can learn more about tech jobs and skills from the festival.