Opening Ceremony of Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) International Convention

17 Dec 2005

By Dr Balaji Sadasivan, Senior Minister of State for Information, Communications and the Arts and Health

Venue: Furama City Centre

Your Excellency, Mr Raouf Bundhun

Vice-President of Republic of Mauritius

Honorable Ministers

Chairman of the 8th GOPIO International Convention

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

It gives me great pleasure to be at this 8th International Convention of the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin hosted for the first time in Singapore. To the many distinguished speakers and delegates from many countries, I extend a warm welcome to Singapore.  

Historical Perspective 

 I am glad that Singapore was chosen as the location of this convention as Indian migration to this region is centuries old. In many parts of Southeast Asia, in Sumatra, in Java, and in Cambodia, there are Hindu and Buddhist temples, some more than a thousand years old, which bear testimony to the Indian influence here. The majestic structures of Borobodor in Java and the Angkor Wat in Cambodia were built at the height of this influence.

When Stamford Raffles landed in Singapore in January 1819, he was escorted by Bengali Sepoys. There were about a thousand indigenous persons inhabiting the island; none of them were Indians. During his second visit in May 1819, Raffles brought with him one Narayana Pillai, a former clerk working for the British in Penang, he was the first Indian civilian to set foot in Singapore and was specially brought to Singapore by Raffles to start kilns to bake bricks to build the new settlement. He was Singapore's first building contractor. He became a leader of the Indian community and was also responsible for building the first Hindu temple - the Sri Mariamman Temple in South Bridge Road in 1827.

Under the British, Indian convicts were sent to Singapore to provide labour. These convicts built some of the finest colonial buildings here, including the St Andrews Cathedral and Government House or the Istana as it is now known. Along with the convicts came indentured labourers to provide manpower for the ports and railway, Sepoys and Sikh policemen, milkman, tailors and artisans, merchants and moneylenders. Many Indian Singaporeans are the descendents of these migrants who helped build Singapore and make it what it is. The migration of Indians to Singapore continues and our new migrants add to the vitality of the Indian community. Some of our newest citizens and permanent residents of Indian origin are highly qualified IT professionals, bankers, engineers and scientist, who are transforming Singapore into a knowledge-based economy. Indians have always felt right at home in our uniquely multi-racial and multi-religious country. As you must have already known by now, we even have our own, "Little India", a favourite haunt for Indians, non-Indians and tourists alike.

Current Prominent PIOs

The population of the Indian Diaspora is estimated at 20 million in 2001 and is distributed across the globe. There are about a quarter million Indians in Singapore. Instead of reading off a long list of our local prominent PIOs, suffice to say that our current President, His Excellency Mr S R Nathan who holds the highest office in this country, serves as an epitome of what a PIO in Singapore can achieve through ability and merit.

Cordial India-Singapore Diplomatic Ties

For a thousand years, from the 11th to the 20th century, India has been repeatedly over-run, plundered and conquered by foreigners. India has assimilated these foreign influences and emerges now in 21st century as a country of opportunity. This century promises to be the Asian Century with China and India emerging as new economic powers. Singapore is fortunate to be located between these two economies and has good economic and political ties to both.  Singapore and India have always maintained good diplomatic ties. India became a full Dialogue Partner of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in July 1996. The Singapore government took the initiative in holding the first-ever Global Indian Entrepreneurs Conference (GIEC) in June 1996, bringing together Indian and PIO businessmen from around the globe.

Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA)

Ties with Singapore were further enhanced by the signing of the India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) on 29 June 2005 during Prime Minster Lee Hsien Loong's state visit to India. CECA marks the start of a broad based cooperation on the liberalisation in investment, finance and service sectors as well as trade in goods. CECA also helps to eliminate double taxation and facilitate the protection of intellectual property.

Healthcare

Professional collaboration in Healthcare has been making good progress. In Singapore, there were 210 doctors of Indian nationality on the SMC Register as at 6 Jun 2005. As at Dec 2004, there were 686 nurses from India on the Singapore Nursing Board's register and roll. As part of CECA, there will be further liberalisation of the healthcare sector in both countries. Mutual recognition arrangements are due to be completed by the middle of next year and this will lead to greater opportunities for Indian doctors, nurses and  healthcare workers to  work in Singapore and vice versa.

Conclusion

Again my congratulation to the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Dr VP Nair and his team for organising this 8th GOPIO in Singapore. I note that you have an interesting plethora of topics to cover in these two days. This Convention, I am sure will serve as an excellent platform for networking and the forging of new partnerships.

I hope all the eminent guests, speakers and delegates will have a fruitful two day Convention and a pleasant stay in Singapore. 

Thank you.