Changes at MTI following perm sec Gabriel Lim’s retirement
Add BT as a preferred source
GABRIEL Lim Meng Liang, 48, permanent secretary for policy at the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), will step down on Sep 1 after 24 years in the public service.
Current MTI permanent secretary for development Beh Swan Gin, 56, who was formerly chairman of the Economic Development Board, will be re-designated as MTI Permanent Secretary on the same day, said the Public Service Division (PSD) in a statement on Aug 5.
From Sep 1, Jeffrey Siow Chen Siang, 46, second permanent secretary at the Ministry of Manpower, will also take on a portfolio at MTI as second permanent secretary.
Lim began his career in public service in 2000 and has served various appointments across several ministries, including as principal private secretary to then Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong from 2011 to 2014.
In 2014, he was appointed chief executive of the former Media Development Authority (MDA), where he helmed efforts to regulate and develop the media industry, and led the merger of MDA with the Infocomm Development Authority to form the Infocomm Media Development Authority.
Lim began his career as a permanent secretary in 2016, when he joined the former Ministry of Communications and Information.
Navigate Asia in
a new global order
Get the insights delivered to your inbox.
There, “he helped accelerate the development of the digital economy, enhance the Government’s cyber preparedness and response capabilities, and strengthen engagement with Singaporeans”, said PSD in its statement.
Among his accomplishments are launching the TechSkills Accelerator, SMEs Go Digital programme and Digital Readiness Blueprint.
In 2019, Lim was appointed MTI permanent secretary, and subsequently re-designated as permanent secretary for policy four years later when Beh was moved to MTI as its permanent secretary for development.
Said PSD: “Lim supported the ministry’s efforts to grow the Singapore economy, create good jobs for Singaporeans, develop competitive local enterprises, and strengthen Singapore’s international trade relations.
“In the battle against the Covid-19 pandemic, Lim led MTI in developing support measures for businesses and was instrumental to Singapore’s post-pandemic economic recovery.”
He also oversaw efforts to build up Singapore’s supply chain resilience to achieve a more sustainable balance between local production, diversification and stockpiling.
Following his departure from public service, Lim will be appointed joint head of corporate strategy at Singapore’s investment company Temasek from Oct 1.
The St Joseph’s Institution alumni was awarded the Public Service Commission scholarship in 1994, according to the school’s website.
He went on to attain a Bachelor of Arts in economics at the University of Cambridge, Master of Science in economics at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and Master of Science in management at Stanford University, according to a 2023 document by global real asset manager CapitaLand Investment, where he sits as a non-executive independent director.
In 2020, Lim was recognised for his contributions to the public service with the Public Administration Medal (Gold), which is given to public servants who have demonstrated outstanding efficiency, competence and industry. THE STRAITS TIMES
Decoding Asia newsletter: your guide to navigating Asia in a new global order. Sign up here to get Decoding Asia newsletter. Delivered to your inbox. Free.
Copyright SPH Media. All rights reserved.
