Channel News Asia

FTAs give Singapore edge as product testing hub

04 September 2003 The free trade deals Singapore has been negotiating with various countries are bringing down not just tariff barriers, but also many practical obstacles to doing business.

One of these is unnecessary duplicate testing of products in different countries.

Wherever possible, Singapore has been incorporating mutual recognition agreements for testing standards into its trade agreements.

And the Economic Development Board says this is giving Singapore a competitive edge in making itself the regional hub for testing and accreditation services.

And it is one reason why three of the world's top 5 global testing companies have chosen to locate here.

Among them, Intertek Caleb Brett, which has just officially opened a new S$7 million petrochemical testing laboratory here on Jurong Island.

The test facility will have a staff of 80 chemists and engineers.

Petrochemical companies worldwide spend about US$10 billion a year on product testing and Intertek is looking to capture a slice of the pie here in Asia.

Ko Kheng Hwa, Managing Director, EDB, said: "Over the years we have established an excellent reputation and brand name for reliability and trustworthiness. This is a very precious quality that's vital for the testing industry. The testing that's done here by world class companies in Singapore would be very well-regarded anywhere in the world."