(English translation, for reference only)
Minister for Prime Minister’s Office and Business China Board Adviser, Mr Lim Swee Say
Deputy President and Provost, Nanyang Technological University, Professor Freddy Boey
Dean, Nanyang Business School, Professor Ravi Kumar
Business China Board of Directors
Lecturers,
Distinguished guests,
A very good evening!
1. Firstly, on behalf of Business China, I would like to thank our Guest-of-Honour, Minister Lim Swee Say and all guests for taking time off to attend the 3rd Future China Advanced Leaders Programme Commencement Ceremony.
2. The Future China Advanced Leaders Programme was first launched in 2012, as a prestigious business management programme, and has gradually gained recognition from the business community and garnered favourable reviews from past participants. Today, we are pleased to gather here to celebrate the participants’ successful completion of the course and their graduation. I believe that after attending this three-week course that took place over a span of three months, the participants have benefitted greatly, gained a deeper understanding of China’s business environment and are better prepared for business expansion in China.
3. Business China is also pleased to partner Nanyang Business School again, and customise for this cohort of 24 participants who hailed from local enterprises, MNCs, government agencies and statutory boards, an experiential learning journey that is rigorous and multi-faceted.
4. We would like to thank Senior Minister of State Mr Lee Yi Shyan, who is also a Board Director of Business China, for once again leading the delegation to China during the second segment, which included visits to Shanghai, Chongqing and Chengdu. The China segment gave participants a better understanding of China’s rapidly developing Western region and potential business opportunities.
5. To achieve tangible benefits, FC-ALP also partnered Chongqing Foreign Trade & Economic Relations Commission (COFTEC) to co-organise an investment cum networking forum, which attracted more than 80 esteemed business leaders from state-owned enterprises, private enterprises and foreign corporations.
6. This year’s “Yangtze River Journey” was also supported by two additional Board Directors of Business China, namely Minister of State Mr Sam Tan and Parliamentary Secretary Ms Low Yen Ling, who were part of the delegation. Besides courtesy calls on senior government officials in Chongqing and Shanghai, the delegation also visited key Chinese enterprises and interacted with local government officials, academics and business leaders to further expand their network. FC-ALP strives to provide participants with an insider’s perspective into China through curriculum rigour and relevance, as well as exclusive networking opportunities.
7. Today marks the end of the 3rd edition of FC-ALP. I trust that the participants will be able to apply their newly-acquired knowledge, insights and experiences in the course of their work. Initiated by the first FC-ALP graduates, the Future China Advanced Leaders Club serves as a platform for the alumni to stay connected and forge closer bonds of friendship, thereby allowing them to identify potential business opportunities and achieve business success by leveraging mutual strengths. I would like to encourage all participants and affiliated organisations to actively participate in the programmes organised by Business China, and lend us your support as we strive to actualise our vision of cultivating more bilingual and bicultural Singaporeans.
8. Last but not least, I would once again like to thank all Business China’s Board Advisers and Board Directors for taking time off your hectic schedules to share your insights and experiences with the participants. I would also like to thank IE Singapore for your tremendous support, which contributed to the success of this programme.
9. Finally, I hope all participants have benefitted greatly from the programme and I would like to wish them every success in their careers.
10. Thank you!