Gan Kim Yong named as new chairman of EDB’s International Advisory Council

He succeeds Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong has been appointed as the new chairman of the Singapore Economic Development Board’s (EDB) International Advisory Council (IAC), effective 1 June. He succeeds Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong, who chaired the IAC since July 2023.

“Amidst structural shifts in the global economy such as increasing geopolitical contestation, technological developments and climate change, Singapore must stay abreast of external trends so that we can remain relevant on the global stage and continue to attract quality investments,” said Yong.

“In this way, we can continually enhance our economic heft for the benefit of all Singaporeans,” he added.

Meanwhile, Wong highlighted the council's role in keeping Singapore's economy competitive. “The IAC is a highly valuable platform for Singapore to access the views of industry experts and leaders,” he said.

“Last year, we had rich discussions with IAC members on Singapore’s overall competitiveness, and the actions we could take to better position ourselves in a world where more and more countries are pursuing active industrial policies,” he added.

The EDB’s IAC, established in 1994, comprises 16 members from leading global businesses. Yong will chair the 22nd IAC meeting in October 2024.