Foo Cexiang sworn in as Minister of State, Singapore News

He has held portfolios spanning industrial planning, security policy, education planning.

Prior to his resignation, Foo was director of private and future mobility at the Ministry of Transport.

After the General Election, Foo joined PSA Singapore as its vice-president for port ecosystem.

In a Facebook post after his promotion to the frontbench was announced by PM Wong on July 22, Foo, who has been appointed Minister of State for Manpower and Minister of State for Trade and Industry, said he was “humbled and honoured” to join the Government.

“I started my career in the civil service in JTC, a statutory board under MTI, in 2010, and was posted to MTI in 2013, where I had the opportunity to work with MOM to develop SkillsFuture,” he said then.

“I am excited to return to MTI and join MOM, with a singular mission —  to contribute towards creating more good jobs and careers for all Singaporeans.”

Another first-term MP and former civil servant joining the frontbench is Shawn Loh (Jalan Besar GRC).

He had asked to begin his appointment on Jan 1 to facilitate a smooth leadership transition for his current role as group managing director at Commonwealth Capital Group.

Priorities

In an interview with CNA aired on Aug 31, Foo described his approach in his new roles as one of consultative and collaborative.

He set out two focuses at the manpower ministry — artificial intelligence and how it fits into a worker’s growth, and the working environment for parents amid Singapore’s push for greater support for parents.

At the trade and industry ministry, the minister of state, noting that global trading patterns are shifting as countries diversify their economic links and new routes gain prominence, said he sees an opportunity for Singapore to remain at the centre of these flows, while preparing Singaporeans to venture into emerging markets such as Africa, Latin America and Central Asia.

He also pointed out that countries in these regions also have a very strong population dividend. 

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editor@asiaone.com