Deputy Governor of Jakarta Visits BCA
On 6 December 2016, the deputy governor of Jakarta, Pak Oswar Mungkasa, visited the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) to learn about Singapore’s building control systems. He was also interested in how building permits and approvals for planning and building control are processed online within target time frames.
The delegation gained a better understanding of BCA’s organisational structure during the visit. They were also briefed on Singapore’s building control framework, the CORENET e-submission system, as well as the approval processes for building and structural plans.
Orchid Named After Her Excellency Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counsellor of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar
An orchid was named in honour of Her Excellency Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counsellor of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, when she visited the National Orchid Garden on 1 December 2016.
Papilionanda Aung San Suu Kyi is a robust and free-flowering hybrid that produces strong upright flower sprays, each bearing up to 10 large and attractive blooms. Each bloom measures about 9cm across. The sepals and petals are a delightful pastel bluish purple adorned variously with fine purple spots and tessellations. Each bloom is complemented by a prominent waxy reddish-purple lip.
His Excellency Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Visits the National Orchid Garden
On 24 November 2016, His Excellency Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Netherlands, visited the National Orchid Garden, where an orchid was named in his honour.
Aranda Mark Rutte is a robust and vigorous hybrid that produces upright flower sprays bearing up to 12 striking and well-arranged blooms, each measuring about 8cm across. The sepals and petals are an attractive salmon-orange adorned with fine crimson spots, with a contrasting crimson lip complementing each bloom.
His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa Visits HDB
Housing & Development Board (HDB) Chief Executive Officer, Dr Cheong Koon Hean hosted South African’s Deputy President, His Excellency Cyril Ramaphosa and his Ministers on 5 October 2016 at HDB where they were introduced to Singapore’s public housing system. The delegation was also interested to learn more about the funding of the public housing programme through government loans, grants and bonds.
HDB Hosts Participants from the “Leaders in Urban Governance” Programme
HDB Acting Chief Executive Officer / Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Mr Yap Chin Beng, played host to participants from the Temasek Foundation - National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) “Leaders in Urban Governance” Programme on 21 October 2016 when they visited HDB. Mr Yap shared his insights on Singapore’s public housing model with the participants, who were in Singapore to learn about urban and social governance, sustainability and liveability.
New Zealand Minister Visits HDB
HDB Acting Chief Executive Officer / Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Mr Yap Chin Beng, welcomed Minister Paul Goldsmith and his wife to HDB on 21 November 2016. They were briefed on Singapore’s public housing policies, followed by a discussion on HDB’s upgrading programmes and housing options for the elderly.
HDB Hosts Commissioner-General, France Stratégie
HDB Acting Chief Executive Officer / Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Mr Yap Chin Beng, hosted a visit by Mr Jean Pisani-Ferry, Commissioner-General, France Stratégie on 24 November 2016. Mr Pisani-Ferry was keen to understand Singapore’s public housing policies, particularly, how the government assists low-income households with housing, and the implementation of the ethnic integration policy.
