[SINGAPORE] Singapore’s remarkable transformation from a fishing village to a First World financial hub owes much to the country’s ecosystem of home-grown corporates and multinationals that have proudly called it home.
The Business Times celebrated this success story in style on Tuesday (Aug 12), when more than 400 people – including current and former political office-holders, industry heavyweights, business leaders and diplomats – gathered at Marina Bay Sands for the Singapore Stories gala dinner.
The evening served as a tribute to the nation’s vibrant business community, recognising its hard-won achievements and commitment to creating jobs, expanding industry capabilities and fostering innovation. The event was supported by Temasek.
In her keynote address, Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations and Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu noted that BT has played a crucial and enduring role in telling Singapore’s economic story.
“Since its founding in 1976, BT has been more than a financial daily. It has been a fact-checker, a storyteller, a convenor, and a catalyst – shaping discourse, celebrating excellence, and strengthening market function through information access,” she said.
“Beyond timely and accurate reporting on global developments – such as the US tariffs and the Covid-19 pandemic, BT has continued to provide thoughtful, in-depth features that clarify the roles of key companies in our economy and help spread broader messages like supply chain resilience and energy transition,” added the minister.
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Fu brought up two recent features on companies that were also present at the event. One story put the spotlight on Zuellig Pharma, one of Asia’s largest integrated healthcare solutions providers, and its use of digital tools to build trust and enhance supply chain visibility.
She also named BT’s piece on petroleum giant ExxonMobil and its collaboration with the Singapore government, as part of a consortium with Shell, to evaluate and develop the nation’s first cross-border carbon capture and storage project.
Highlighting BT’s consistent efforts in celebrating excellence through its awards, Fu added that the publication has innovated to remain relevant.
This is exemplified by BT’s Sustainability Impact Awards, which recognise individuals and corporates in Singapore that demonstrate leadership in sustainability; as well as the Design AI and Tech Awards that aim to spur innovators from startups and companies to harness design and technology to tackle real-life business challenges.
Fu also listed four other annual awards organised by BT, namely the Singapore Business Awards, Singapore Corporate Awards, Enterprise 50, and the Emerging Enterprise Awards.
“These awards do more than reward excellence – they inspire action. They signal what the business community values, and what progress we aspire to achieve,” she said.
Beyond its reporting and awards, BT also expanded its platforms, fostering financial literacy among the youth with Thrive and continuing to engage regional tech and startup communities with its Tech in Asia partnership, she added.
“For all these efforts, BT deserves our appreciation – not only for chronicling Singapore’s economic journey, but for shaping the values, relationships, and aspirations of our business community,” concluded the minister.
A night to remember
Fu was presented with a hardcover copy of a book titled SG60 Singapore Stories, featuring content from a special 72-page supplement earlier released by BT on Aug 6 that outlined the evolution of various companies and government agencies. Those at the dinner returned home with individual copies too.
Said BT editor Chen Huifen in her welcome address: “A dynamic enterprise ecosystem isn’t just about multinationals or capital providers. It’s also about our small and medium-sized enterprises, the backbone of our economy.
“It’s about encouraging entrepreneurship, providing platforms for growth, and building the infrastructure to innovate and scale. Every part of this ecosystem contributes to our collective success.”
Guests were treated to performances by international award-winning young violinist Travis Wong; local singer-songwriter and ChildAid alumna Amni Musfirah; as well as home-grown musician Jessie Meng.
Meng is the youngest musician to be named a Young Steinway Artist, having been selected in January 2024 by renowned American piano manufacturer Steinway & Sons.
She performed on a Steinway grand piano, hailed by some as the gold standard of musical instruments.
Paper artist Dawn Koh created an installation specially for the gala dinner, in partnership with Rachel Chua from The Weekend Florist. Titled Where Grace Takes Root, the piece is a poetic interpretation of Singapore as a living, evolving garden that thrives amid a rocky terrain.
As the Republic marks 60 years of economic transformation, the global operating environment has shifted in fundamental ways and Singapore must adapt to that, said Fu in her speech.
“In an era when major decisions are announced through social media, sometimes in less than 30 words; when the cadence of decision-making requires speed in information; when competition for attention demands information to be eye-catching, the role of a credible fact-checker, objective analyst, and neutral convenor remains critical,” said the minister.
“As a trusted voice in our business community, BT helps us surface ideas, connect changemakers, and shine a light on what matters. The stories it tells, the values it celebrates, and the platforms it provides will help galvanise the business community in support of our refreshed economic strategies.”
