Singapore government to spend $2b on ICT this fiscal

Singapore’s soon-to-be-formed Government Technology Agency (GovTech) will continue to partner the ICT industry and invest in technologies such as data analytics, ICT infrastructure, and platform-as-a-service to develop citizen-centric services.

GovTech, which will be established at the end of this year, will replace the Infocomm Development Agency of Singapore (IDA) and aim to lead technological transformation in government.

The agency is expected to continue to partner the industry to co-create such digital solutions and will be calling for a projected S$2.82 billion ($2.04 billion) of ICT tenders across fiscal year 2016.

These ICT tenders will comprise mainly infrastructure and ICT security bulk contracts due to some multi-year contracts ending in FY16, as well as contracts relating to agency-specific systems. Last year, SMEs accounted for more than half of the total contracted value of ICT tenders.

One key focus for government procurement this year will be to enhance ICT infrastructure to better support the data and digital services needs of a Digital Government in a Smart Nation.

For example, increased data center virtualization will allow the government to modernize its hosting of ICT applications and ensure faster time to production for new digital services.

Wi-Fi will be extended to more areas within government schools to support smart learning. The government will also continue to invest in its cybersecurity efforts, with a bulk tender for IT security services to be called in this fiscal year.

“We want to empower Singapore with possibilities through technology. To do that, investment in infrastructure is necessary so that innovative citizen-centric services can be built and enhanced on a strong foundation,” IDA managing director Jacqueline Poh said.

“There will be opportunities abound for the government and industry to collaborate and build a smart nation together.”