Daily briefing: SEA wants greater digital integration amidst US-China tension; SG launches biggest floating solar panel farm

And over 270,000 hired under SG’s Jobs Growth Incentive.

From CNBC

Southeast Asian countries are pushing for digital integration as the tension between the US and China continue to intensify. This comes as member states of the ASEAN are threatened by technology bifurcation.

Singapore’s Minister of Communications and Information Josephine Teo said member states of the ASEAN are looking at “technology neutrality,” which will allow them to decide their preferred technology without being influenced. 

Reports have estimated that the internet economy in the region is expected to surpass $300b by 2025. This covers Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand.

Read more here. 

From Reuters

Singapore launched the largest floating solar panel farms in the world, projected to quadruple solar energy production by 2025. 

The 60 megawatt-peak solar photovoltaic farm has 122,000 solar panels over an area of 45 hectares. 

It is expected to contribute to reducing carbon emissions by about 32 kilotonnes per year. According to Singapore’s national water agency PUB, this is comparable to taking 7,000 cars off the road.

Read more here. 

From CNA 

Over 270,000 Singaporeans were hired under the Jobs Growth Incentive as of February, the Ministry of Manpower reported. 

Manpower Minister Tan See Leng said one-third of whom were jobless for over six months. Meanwhile, six in 10 were previously hired in a different sector. 

Nearly half of those who were hired were aged 40 and above, whilst one-third were aged 50 and over. 

Read more here.