SINGAPORE: The Singapore government is planning to invest some S$1.73b in information and communication projects in the current financial year.

The planned investment, which will last until 31 March 2010, will go towards the creation of some 392 new projects that are to be put out for tender.

These will include the S$620 million Standard ICT Operating Environment for Schools by the Ministry of Education. This aims to consolidate the provision and management of desktops, messaging and network environment for schools.

Other projects include the BorderWatch System by the Ministry of Home affairs.

The latest investment figure is higher than the S$1.6 billion worth of information and communication technology projects awarded in the financial year ended March 2009.

The announcement was made by the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore at its annual industry briefing on business opportunities in the infocomm sector.

Representatives from the Ministries of Defence, Education, Home Affairs and Manpower, as well as the IDA, presented procurement plans for infocomm technology projects in 2009.

Experts said that despite the current recession, it is important to continue development in the sector to develop future engines of growth.

Ronnie Tay, IDA's CEO, said: "There are many projects that will not only enhance our capabilities in the future, build future engines of growth, and also make sure that we enhance our infocomm construction which is really key to enabling further economic growth and social development in the other sectors."

Over the last four years, some 67 per cent of government infocomm contracts were awarded to local firms, while multi-national companies accounted for the remaining 33 per cent.

Those in the infocomm industry said the projects would help to boost confidence in light of the current environment. Some are also pleased that many of the projects are more partnership-based.

Chua Kok Sian, Ecquaria's vice-president for professional services, said: "I think...it's really good to see that despite the economic crisis there are still lots of projects that the IDA is putting out. And past records show that there are more projects going for SMEs. As for Ecquaria, we'll be focusing on projects that are less than $10 million and....projects that are more software based."

Tom Cheong, CISCO's managing director (Singapore & Brunei), said: "Well, there are a lot more opportunities for vendors to actually offer a service or a managed service to the government agencies, rather than have government agencies buy the technology and run it and build it themselves."

Some of the projects will contain invitations for firms to form consortia and integrate services such as IT systems, business processes, as well as data in order to achieve greater efficiency.

- CNA/ir