Singapore public service infocomm service provider IDA International and Temasek Holdings company Singbridge International will be collaborating with the Guangzhou Municipal Government to develop the Sino-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City under a Cooperation Framework Agreement (CFA) signed on 30 June 2010.

IDA International, a subsidiary of Singapore’s Infocomm Development Authority (IDA), serves as the execution arm for all collaborations on public service infocomm between Singapore and public agencies around the world. Singbridge International is a wholly-owned company of Temasek Holdings whose core activity is as a master developer and manager of large-scale sustainable urban developments.

The collaboration will focus on the planning, management, development and operations of ICT initiatives under the Guangzhou Knowledge City Digital City Masterplan.

Under the CFA with the Guangzhou Development District Administrative Committee (GDDAC), IDA International, Singbridge and the GDDAC will collaborate on the planning, management, development and operations of ICT initiatives under the Knowledge City Digital City Masterplan. This includes building a vibrant and globally competitive infocomm industry as an engine of economic growth for Guangzhou.

The CFA was signed by Mr Seah Chin Siong, Chief Executive Officer of IDA International, Mr Ko Kheng Hwa, Chief Executive Officer of Singbridge International, and Mr Shi Qizhu, Governor of Luo Gang District, Guangzhou.

Among the witnesses were Singapore’s Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, Acting Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts Mr Lui Tuck Yew, Guangdong Party Secretary Wang Yang and Governor of Guangdong province Huang Huahua.

The intention of the collaboration is to leverage on Singapore’s experience as a global thought-leader in national ICT and public sector infocomm. “We welcome this collaboration and look forward to working closely with both partners to further develop Guangzhou into a vibrant, intelligent city,” said Mr Shi.

As part of this partnership, IDA International will be working closely with the GDDAC on various aspects of ICT specifically in areas such as

• The development of an ICT industry cluster and ecosystem for the Knowledge City;
• The implementation of key administrative and business support infrastructures and services; and
• The management of the development of next-generation economic and social sectors using leading-edge infocomm.

Said Mr Seah, “We are confident that through this robust partnership, our experience in public service infocomm and Singbridge’s commitment in developing and investing in large urban projects will bring much value to Guangzhou.”