Adapting to a changing worldAs the first Permanent Secretary of MTI from 1979 to 1986, Mr Ngiam was also part of our pioneer leaders who weathered the 1985 recession. When faced with twin challenges of rising wages and rising exchange rates which resulted in an uncompetitive economy for Singapore, he suggested for CPF rates to be adjusted, on the employers’ part. The result: Singapore’s economy bounced back within 12 to 18 months.

AndAnd it was this ability of our pioneers to adapt flexibly to changes of the world, as well as the willingness to work hard, that have propelled Singapore.

Useful advice for the youngOnOn Singapore surviving today’s competition, Mr Ngiam advocated raising total factor productivity, and mused, “In fact, your world is a more challenging world. My world was just create employment, import substitution [sic]. But your world, you have to compete with the rest of the world. To compete with the rest of the world in a global economy, you have to be the best of the world. And I think it’s something that’s very hard and I don’t envy you.” He added that displaying grit and determination is the way forward for Singapore in face of competition from both giant economies as well as younger and hungrier countries.

ButBut he emphasised that KPIs are only meant for companies and not suitable for the government. As advice, he reiterated that chasing KPIs in the pursuit of excellence might fail if different ministries cared only about their own performances. His reminder to us, the younger generation of civil servants – “We are just one government, we are not separate governments.”

Read Mr Ngiam’s book “Dynamics of the Singapore Success Story” for more insights!

AN INTERVIEW WITH MR NGIAM

TheThe interview room bustled with activities – camera crew adjusting their equipment, the producer monitoring screens, and sound engineer conducting checks – while a silent figure looked on with a critical eye. Without words, he made his presence felt. One can’t help but to catch a glimpse of the dynamic man. He is Mr Ngiam Tong Dow, the first Permanent Secretary of MTI who was behind numerous initiatives that have helped shaped Singapore into what it is today.

RRecounting memories of MTI’s early daysSet up in 1979, MTI was tasked with anticipating economics problems, identifying opportunities for growth, and directing the formulation of policies for the development of trade and industry in Singapore. Today, 35 years later, Singapore is a successful and vibrant global economy, unachievable without the hard work and perseverance of our predecessors.

““We were in a way… a Jack of all trades. Any economics problem, the Prime Minister will put it to us to solve. We did manpower planning, we did investment promotion, and we did industrial estates (planning).”

ButBut getting his hands dirty in all aspects of the country’s economic development was nothing new. He recalled working in Jurong as the Industrial Estate Officer, after his return from Harvard University with a Master of Public Administration degree, when he dealt directly with water supply issues for workers to better their working conditions. In his own words, “If you are the administrator, you must be very hands-on. If you just sit in your room and give orders, nothing is going to happento happen.”

True to nature, he demonstrated the same resolve to achieving the goal of placing Singapore on the global economy market.

“I remember going to Hong Kong with the first director of EDB (to meet) an alarm clock-maker. When we saw him, he said, ‘You Singaporeans are just traders, you can never be manufacturers.’ So frankly speaking, I was very angry with such a remark. I was determined when I came home – that we would establish industries, and in the end, beat Hong Kong. That was the spirit of the day.”

A Tribute to Our MTI Pioneers

OnOn 27 November 2014, we will celebrate and honour our MTI Pioneer Generation with a Gala Dinner to thank them for their contributions. We want to pay tribute to them for dedicating their lives and working hard to build the foundations ofof a vibrant and dynamic Singapore economy today.

Ahead of the dinner, we will be bringing you stories of our pioneers.

For the first article, we are honoured to meet with Mr Ngiam Tong Dow, MTI’s very first Permanent Secretary, who shared stories of the past, and his thoughts on the present.