Singapore’s manufacturing sector is set to grow through Industry 5.0, stronger regional ties, sustainability, and talent development.
Minister of State (MOS) Gan delivered a speech at the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) Manufacturing Day Summit 2026 in Singapore, outlining her vision for the future of manufacturing under Industry 5.0. The event brought together industry leaders, regional partners, and students from polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE).
MOS Gan noted that Singapore’s economy performed strongly in 2025, with GDP expanding by 4.8%. The manufacturing sector was a key contributor, growing by 8.7% year-on-year. She highlighted that manufacturing accounts for about 20% of Singapore’s GDP and provides jobs for around 12% of the workforce, offering strong opportunities for young people entering the sector.
In her speech, MOS Gan explained that Industry 5.0 builds on Industry 4.0 by placing people at the centre of technological progress. While automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence remain important, Industry 5.0 focuses on how technology can work alongside humans to deliver better productivity, quality, and sustainability outcomes. She shared examples of robots working with humans to handle repetitive tasks, reduce waste, and optimise energy use.
MOS Gan outlined three key pillars for Singapore’s manufacturing future. The first is building strong regional partnerships. She stressed the importance of working closely with regional partners such as Indonesia and Malaysia to strengthen supply chains and resilience. At the summit, she witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between SMF and the Industrial Estate Association of Indonesia, as well as the launch of the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) playbook.
The second pillar is embedding sustainability into manufacturing operations. MOS Gan said sustainability is now critical to global competitiveness, citing a 2025 SMF survey where 91% of manufacturers identified it as essential. She highlighted government initiatives such as the Resource Efficiency Grant for Emissions and welcomed partnerships like the SMF–DBS collaboration to support small and mid-sized manufacturers in their decarbonisation efforts.
The third and most important pillar is nurturing talent. MOS Gan emphasised the need to upskill and reskill workers as advanced manufacturing technologies reshape the sector. She praised SMF’s Advanced Manufacturing Training Academy, which has developed more than 80 training programmes and trained over 2,000 participants to date.
She concluded by urging businesses, partners, and students to collaborate and co-create the future of manufacturing, expressing confidence that Singapore’s manufacturing sector will continue to thrive despite global uncertainties.
Source: MTI
