LIM SWEE SAY

Minister, Prime Minister’s Office, Republic of Singapore

Born on 13 July 1954, Mr Lim Swee Say studied at the Catholic High School and the National Junior College. He was awarded a Singapore Armed Forces (UK) Scholarship in 1973 and studied Electronics, Computer and Systems Engineering at Loughborough University of Technology in the United Kingdom. He graduated with a First Class Honours degree in 1976. He attended the Stanford Sloan Programme at Stanford University and graduated with a Master’s Degree in Management in 1991.

Mr Lim has been associated with the development of information technology in Singapore since the 1970’s. He served as Chief Executive from 1986 to 1991, and as Chairman of NCB from 1994 to 1998. During this period, the NCB spearheaded the formulation and implementation of Singapore’s National IT Plan and IT 2000 Masterplan to transform Singapore into one of the most IT intensive nations in the world.

Mr Lim was also actively involved in the economic development of Singapore in the 1990s. He spent five years working in the Economic Development Board, first as Deputy Managing Director based in New York City from 1991 to 1993, then as Managing Director from 1994 to 1996. From 1997-98, he was a member of the Committee on Singapore’s Competitiveness tasked to develop plans to transform Singapore into a Knowledge Based Economy in the 21st Century. He chaired its Sub-committee on Manpower Development.

Notwithstanding his long association with technology and economic development, Mr Lim firmly believes that the end objective of exploiting technological advances and achieving economic progress is to enhance the standard of living and quality of life of the people.

Mr Lim entered politics and joined the labour movement in 1996 to help the rank and file workers upgrade and remain employable. He served as Deputy Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress from 1997 to 1999 before he was appointed Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology and Minister of State for Trade and Industry in June 1999. He became Acting Minister for the Environment in October 2000 and Minister for the Environment in November 2001. On 12 August 2004, Mr Lim was appointed Minister in the Prime Minister Office and Second Minister for National Development. He serves concurrently as Deputy Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress. He relinquished the appointment of Second Minister for National Development on 1 October 2005 to serve full time in the labour movement.

Mr Lim joined the People’s Action Party (PAP) in 1996. He has been a member of the PAP Central Executive Committee since 1999, and chaired the Young PAP from 2000 to 2004.

Mr Lim is married to Ms Elaine Cheong, a software engineer and computer sales manager who gave up her career in 1991 to take care of their daughter Shu Ming and son Wen Zhe. Work aside, Mr Lim enjoys playing golf and spending time with his family.