British technology company Dyson did not receive any grants or incentives from the Singapore government because it had not yet made the investments it had committed toward the now-canned electric vehicle project it planned to initiate here.

Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Chee Hong Tat said this in Parliament on Tuesday (Nov. 5), in response to a question from Member of Parliament Seah Kian Peng.

Chee added that other projects that Dyson may have already started, or any expansion of its existing activities, will be considered separately.

EV project shuttered not because Singapore was lacking

Member of Parliament Liang Eng Hwa had also asked if Dyson's decision was due to a lack of capability or advantages on Singapore's part, and if Singapore has plans to attract other electric vehicle "industry players" — also, in turn, whether Singapore has the necessary support for such an industry.

Chee responded that Dyson's decision had nothing to do with Singapore's capabilities, but rather a question of commercial viability.

Dyson will continue doing business in Singapore

For example, Chee said, Dyson will boost research and development for "smart mobility" in areas like sensors, robotics and artificial intelligence.

It will also continue to expand its "core business" in Singapore, including developing battery technology for consumer products.

According to Chee, Dyson's and other companies' interest in developing such technology in Singapore is due to our unique advantages:

"They value our highly skilled workforce, our strengths in advanced technologies such as robotics and automation, and our strong intellectual property protection regime. And if I may add, our strong tripartite partnership."

Top image from Dyson's Facebook and Gov.sg's YouTube channel.