Singapore at the forefront of digitalisation

Singapore has half the population of Sweden on an area one-fifth the size of Gotland. But despite the big differences, there are also similarities between the countries. Both are small export-dependent countries that thrive on innovation and international collaboration. Just like Sweden, Singapore also faces the challenge of an aging population.

Ylva Strander is head of department in innovation management at Vinnova. In February, she visited Singapore to learn and exchange information in digitalisation, together with representatives from Sweden's municipalities and county councils and the Swedish Digital Authority.

- Singapore has a very focused strategy around innovation and digitalisation that the whole country is aligned around. All parts of the government contribute and work towards the same objective. There is also a combination of planning, listening and flexibility. It is very much about working closely with citizens and understanding their needs, she says.

Comprehensive approach to digitalization issues

To remain competitive and meet societal challenges, Singapore is working on a strategy to digitize the entire society called Smart Nation. An essential part is the digitization of the public sector in all its dimensions.

While most countries, including Sweden, have a fragmented government world where different agencies have their own systems and technology resources, Singapore has created a coordinating public authority, Government Technology Agency (GovTech), directly under the Prime Minister's Office. It is a body that works across all agencies and delivers digital services to citizens.

GovTech is also responsible for the infrastructure needed to drive digital transformation of the public sector.

"A well-thought-out structure for managing data is fundamental. Companies can build services on data that is available, but authorities also develop their own services using this," says Ylva Strander.

The citizen at the center

An important starting point in Singapore is to put the needs of citizens at the center of digitalization.

- It's a lot about working with a culture of innovation and creating a mindset where understanding of users, collaboration between authorities and with stakeholders, and experimentation are at the center.

A concrete example is the recently launched digital service Moments of Life, which contains useful services and information that people need at different stages of life. For example, parents with young children can find the nearest preschool or book an appointment for vaccination, all in one place. The service was developed in close collaboration with citizens and in close cooperation between authorities.

The Singaporean government has also identified lifelong learning as a success factor and has therefore taken a comprehensive approach to developing the skills of its citizens. SkillsFuture is a new platform that aims to give citizens opportunities to develop throughout their lives. Each individual has been given an account for their lifelong learning, where courses are offered and where it is possible to collect score and certificates.

- The platform includes training courses from universities and private companies, but also courses that are specifically designed for SkillsFuture. It is an efficient and user-friendly training service. In this way, universities also have a role in further education, outside of the usual course offerings.

Sweden can learn

Sweden cannot copy the solutions that Singapore uses outright. There are differences not only in terms of geography and population density but also when it comes to issues of democracy, freedom of expression and how political governance works. Procurement rules and other things also have an impact. But Ylva Strander believes that there is still much to be inspired by.

- There is a drive and a willingness to collaborate in Singapore where I believe we have a lot to learn. I Sverige we have a long tradition of collaboration, but in some areas it is too slow and sometimes collaboration is hampered by downpipe thinking. We need to take a more collective approach to digitalization issues.