Our Journey
Since the arrival of the first personal computer in the 1980s, Singapore has embraced technology as a crucial engine of the economy and society. The early computerisation efforts of the government in the 1980s paved the way to becoming one of the world’s most connected countries today.
In the 1990s, Singapore was among the first to have broadband links nationwide, while the 2000s saw the deployment of a fibre broadband network and wireless hotspots throughout the island. Over the years, Singapore has been awarded top marks in prestigious studies such as the World Economic Forum’s Global Information Report.
The country’s infrastructure as well as government digital services are often recognised for its technological readiness. As Singapore continues to leverage on new technologies to digitally transform government digital services, there are lessons to share and much to learn from other countries that have developed new ways of improving the online experience for citizens. We share some of the notable awards and significant milestones that Singapore has garnered over the years.
Our Journey & Milestones
1980
Civil Service Computerisation Programme: The start of Singapore’s public sector infocomm journey, seeking to enhance operational efficiency via the adoption of infocomm technology.
1989
TradeNet: Convenient and easy-to-use documentation processing and clearance platform for the trade and logistics community.
1995
One-Stop Change of Address Reporting Service (OSCARS): Only one step required to update participating government agencies and statutory boards of your change of address.
2001
GeBIZ: A one-stop e-procurement portal for suppliers to access government procurement opportunities, anytime, anywhere, via the Internet.
Government Data Centre: A secure and resilient data centre facility and network for government ICT systems.
2003
BizFile: A single system offering more than 300 digital services for all your business requirements.
2004
myCPF: Get instant access to your own Central Provident Fund information.
2006
Enhanced Immigration Automated Clearance System (eIACS): Breeze through immigration checkpoints in 8 seconds with just your passport and thumbprint.
2007
No-Filing Service/IRAS e-Filing: File your income tax returns at your own convenience, 24x7, from the comfort of your home.
PublicTransport@SG: Real-time public transport information, at your fingertips.
2008
Standard Operating Environment (SOE): A platform for public officers to access government resources and work-related data securely from any location.
2009
Unique Entity Number (UEN): A single identification number for corporate entities operating in Singapore.
2010
Onemap: An integrated online platform for government agencies to publish geospatial information and deliver map-based services.
2011
Launch of eGov2015 Masterplan with “Government with you” vision to bring service delivery beyond Government (2011 - 2015).
Under the Masterplan, the mGov programme had some 300 feature-reach mobile services capable of sending timely information to citizens.
2012
The tender award was announced for G-Cloud, which will provide Government agencies with efficient, scalable and resilient cloud computing resources that meet different levels of security and governance requirements.
2013
The Government launched a five-year National Cyber Security Masterplan 2018 to further secure Singapore’s cyber environment.
2014
Announcement of the Smart Nation Platform, a technical architecture built by GovTech. This will bring together a nationwide sensor network and data analytics capabilities for better situational awareness.
2015
GovTech worked with the Municipal Services Office to develop the OneService app, which automatically sends feedback on various issues to the relevant agency, bringing about more timely response.
2016
GovTech was officially launched as the agency tasked with realising Smart Nation possibilities.
2017
GovTech worked with the Singapore Judiciary to launch a five-year technology blueprint which charts the course for “Courts of the Future”. The Singapore Government announced that GovTech, the Smart Nation Programme Office and relevant departments from the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Communications and Information will come together to form the Smart Nation and Digital Government Group (SNDGG). The Whole-of-Government effort to separate the Internet from internal public sector systems was completed one month ahead of schedule. Supported by GovTech, this was part of an ongoing move to strengthen the Government’s cybersecurity posture and better protect government and citizen data. The use of MyInfo was extended to banks, allowing citizens to tap on their MyInfo digital profile to auto-fill selected bank application forms. The Ministry of Education and GovTech piloted the Singapore Student Learning Space, a digital learning platform to enhance learning and collaboration for students from primary schools to junior colleges. The MyInfo Developers and Partners Portal was launched, allowing businesses and developers to tap on MyInfo application programming interfaces to create innovative digital services that can better serve the public. The Parking.sg app was launched. The app is developed by the Urban Redevelopment Authority, Housing & Development Board and GovTech to provide a quick and convenient way for motorists to pay for short-term parking at coupon-based car parks. GovTech worked with SkillsFuture Singapore to launch MySkillsFuture portal, a one-stop resource site to help students and adults plan for their training and career needs.
2018
The Ministry Family Digitalisation Plan was launched to support agencies in their digitalisation efforts. NParks and GovTech jointly developed the Trees.SG online map which shows the locations of 500,000 trees across Singapore and their biodata. The MyCareersFuture search portal was launched by GovTech and Workforce Singapore to match jobseekers to relevant jobs based on their skills. Launched the Digital Government Blueprint that sets out a vision of a Singapore Government that is digital to the core and serves with heart. The Singapore Geospatial Masterplan – jointly developed by the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) and GovTech – was launched. Launched Networked Trade Platform - a national trade information management platform which combines all customs and trade related services. GovTech held its first-ever developer conference - STACK. The conference was a platform for tech enthusiasts to learn about, share knowledge on, and try out the latest digital products from the Singapore Government. The SingPass Mobile app was launched to enable citizens to transact securely and conveniently with public and private sector digital services. GovTech worked with Ngee Ann Polytechnic, SkillsFuture Singapore and the Ministry of Education to develop OpenCerts – a platform to issue, certify, verify and validate academic and skills credentials. The National Digital Identity (NDI) API Portal was launched to integrate both MyInfo and NDI Identity & Access APIs. Singapore was named Smart City of 2018 at the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona. This is the first award that Singapore has won since embarking on our digital transformation journey.
2019
GovTech and the Ministry of Education launched Parents Gateway. A one-stop mobile app that allows schools to update parents on programmes and activities, as well as for parents to complete administrative matters via the app. GovTech and the United Kingdom’s Government Digital Service signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen collaboration in the design and delivery of digital government public services. GovTech completed the commissioning of the Government on Commercial Cloud (GCC) system for agencies to procure commercial cloud services from Cloud Service Providers. Launched IPOS GO - the world’s first mobile application for trademark registration. The app is developed by GovTech and the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore. GovTech developed and launched DigiMC, a platform that allows SingHealth institutions to replace paper MCs with digital ones. The Ministry of Trade & Industry, Smart Nation and Digital Government Office and GovTech launched the GoBusiness Licensing portal.
2020
To support the nationwide contact tracing efforts, GovTech worked with the Ministry of Health to develop the TraceTogether programme. It comprises the TraceTogether App and TraceTogether Token. Launched SafeEntry, a national digital check-in system that logs the NRIC/FINs and mobile numbers of individuals visiting hotspots, workplaces of essential services, as well as selected public venues to prevent and control the transmission of COVID-19 through activities such as contact tracing and identification of COVID-19 clusters. Moments of Life is enhanced and rebranded as LifeSG. The app provides users with access to more than 40 services that will be personalised for citizens, and with an improved user experience.