80th Anniversary Commemorative Book - Singapore Manufacturing ...

The action of the three entities demonstrated that all sectors in Singaporewere ready to pool their efforts and strive to promote the national interest. In1968, the Government enforced new labour laws to curb strikes.In the ensuing decades, Singapore’s economic growth and its attractivenessto foreign investors was helped greatly by its harmonious labour relations.Partnering the GovernmentThroughout the nation building years, the SMF also worked closely with theGovernment.The SMF’s leaders endorsed the directions that were articulated by the then-Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, the then-Finance Minister Goh Keng Sweeand Dr Albert Winsemius, a Dutch United Nations Development Economistwho served as Chief Economic Advisor to Singapore from 1961 to 1984.Over the years, the SMF would partner institutions which the Governmentset up, such as the Economic Development Board and the Jurong TownCorporation, to pave Singapore’s road to prosperity.The success of the SMF was partly due to its good relations with theGovernment, which continue till today.Dr Albert Winsemius, a Dutch industrialeconomist, was Singapore’s economic adviserfrom 1960 to 1984.SMF events, be they factory openings or certificate presentation ceremonies,were often graced by senior Government officials.In 1988, former Singapore Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, who was thenthe First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, paid tribute to theSMF when he was invited to the official opening of the then-SMA House atOrchard Road. He said: “The SMF has played its part in the developmentof Singapore. It will, I believe, continue to do so, by cooperating with theGovernment, and getting members to cooperate amongst themselves.”Four years later, in 1992 the current Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr LeeHsien Loong, who was then the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tradeand Industry, wrote in a special message for the SMF’s 60 th anniversary:“The SMF has done much to help manufacturers upgrade, grow andinternationalise their businesses… (Manufacturing) will continue to be theprime mover and mainstay of our economy, even as we become moredeveloped.”44 A Partner in Nation Building 1965 – 1996