Jeffrey Siow joins tariff taskforce, Desmond Lee steps down after cabinet changes

The Singapore Economic Resilience Taskforce (SERT) announced today that new Minister for Education Desmond Lee will step down from his role in the taskforce, and will be replaced by new Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow with immediate effect.

Newly-elected Singapore Business Federation (SBF) Chairman Teo Siong Seng will also replace his predecessor Lim Ming Yan in the taskforce.

The changes come in light of the recent Cabinet reshuffle and changes to council appointments at SBF, and were announced in a joint media release by MTI, SBF, NTUC and Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF).

The new composition of SERT, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry (MTI) Gan Kim Yong, is as follows:

• Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo
• Minister for Manpower and Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology Tan See Leng
• Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat
• Acting Minister for Transport and Senior Minister of State for Finance Jeffrey Siow
• Chairman of SBF Teo Siong Seng
• Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) Ng Chee Meng
• President of the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) Tan Hee Teck

The taskforce was announced by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in his Ministerial Statement on U.S. Tariffs and Implications on Apr. 8.

The changes to SERT's composition will not affect its mandate.

“We have adjusted SERT’s composition following the recent Cabinet and SBF council appointments. SERT’s mandate remains unchanged. We will continue to work with our tripartite partners to help our businesses and workers navigate the current uncertainties in global trade.”

Top image by PMO and PAP/website