Mr Takuji Nakai, Chairman, NYK Group South Asia Pte Ltd
Mr Yuji Ogawa, Managing Director, NYK Logistics (Asia) Pte Ltd
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
A very good afternoon to you.
1. I am delighted to join you today at the official opening of NYK Logistics (Asia) Pte Ltd's facility at the Keppel Distripark.
NYK Logistics (Asia) Pte Ltd in Singapore
2. First founded on 29 September 1984 as New Wave Transport (S) Pte Ltd to provide freight forwarding service, NYK Logistics (Asia) has over the last 24 years grown from strength to strength. Today, NYK Logistics (Asia) functions as the Group's Regional Headquarters for South Asia with 150 employees. The company manages regional distribution centres and networks as well as cross-docking operations for customers in the port. Over the years, NYK Logistics has also developed a strong reputation within the industry for its solutions and performance reliability.NYK Logistics winning the Frost and Sullivan Logistics Award for 2 consecutive years in 2007 and 2008 is a clear testament to that.
3. The opening of this 55,000 sq ft warehousing facility at the Keppel Distripark, the largest land parcel available in Keppel Distripark, is an important milestone for NYK Logistics (Asia) in Singapore. Combining this with its existing 216,000 sq ft warehouse at Tuas, NYK Logistics (Asia) will be able to provide its customers with a larger suite of solutions and also place it in a good position to grow its business when the economy recovers.
Singapore as a Logistics Hub
4. In a 2007 World Bank survey, Singapore was ranked as the top logistics hub, ahead of countries like the Netherlands, Hong Kong and China. One key attribute is our strong and frequent connectivity.Singapore's sea and air ports are linked to more than 600 seaports and 180 cities by air. We also remain committed to ensuring that the business framework remains conducive to the growth of distribution activities beyond Singapore. For example, Singapore has established specialised infrastructure such as the Changi International LogisPark which facilitates regional distribution, and the Keppel Distripark which provides seamless access to PSA terminals.
Industry Initiatives
5. The global economic slowdown has led to a deep impact on global seaborne trade. MPA has been looking at ways to assist companies during this difficult period. Recently, MPA announced cost assistance programmes totaling about S$28 million to help maritime companies. These include the deferment of additional port dues for older bunker tankers, a 20% port dues concession for harbour craft and an additional 10% port dues concession for ocean-going ships. MPA has also set aside about S$10 million in 2009 on capability development programmes to help position the industry for the economic upturn.
6. In addition, we have the Maritime Cluster Fund, where S$50 million has been set aside to assist the maritime industry in the training and skills upgrading of its employees. Backed by the Fund, some 800 companies to date have sent over 3,900 employees for a wide variety of maritime education and training programmes. We will continue to populate the local maritime education and training landscape with iconic and reputable programmes to raise the professional standards of the industry.I encourage companies to continue to tap our programmes to support your manpower development plans.
Conclusion
7. On this note, I would like to congratulate the management and staff of NYK Logistics (Asia) Pte Ltd on the official opening of this new facility.Singapore values the partnership with NYK Logistics (Asia). We are happy that the management continues to believe in Singapore and want to grow its business here. I look forward to our continued partnership in the years ahead.
8. Thank you.
