SIIRD approves four projects worth US$2.8M
ConvergenceAsia staff
01/04/2008

The Singapore-Israel Industrial Research and Development Foundation (SIIRD) has announced four newly-approved IT research and development projects jointly undertaken by companies in Singapore and Israel, with total research investment of US$2.8 million.

The beneficiary companies are (Singapore companies listed first):
- 7 Cans and the Center for Educational Technology (CET)
- Excelpoint Systems and Santiaga Technologies
- RFNet Technologies and Eurotech Communication
- SensiMesh and High Check Control

In addition, 53 research scientists and engineers have been employed by the beneficiary companies to work on their respective projects. The new hires include:
- Dr. Yeo Boon Sain, R&D Director, SensiMesh
- Dr. Sara Hershkovitz, Head of Math Department, The Center for Educational Technology (CET)

Chan Eng Chye, General Manager for SIIRD in Singapore said, “Over the years, we have funded R&D projects undertaken by many companies to develop better products. Through our funding, SIIRD hopes that more Singapore companies will be keen on R&D collaborations with their Israeli counterparts.”

“Such partnerships allow Singapore companies to tap on the high quality and level of Israel’s industrial research base to expand their own technological capabilities,” he added.

Set up in 1997, SIIRD is an initiative led by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and the Office of Chief Scientist, Israel, to promote, facilitate and support joint industrial R&D projects between Singapore-based and Israeli high-tech companies, which would lead to successful commercialisation.

SIIRD’s support includes funding of up to 50 per cent of the eligible R&D costs of joint R&D projects. SIIRD also organises matchmaking opportunities between Singapore-based and Israeli high-tech companies.

To date, SIIRD has approved 74 R&D projects with a total research investment of US$76.2 million, and has facilitated the employment of approximately 1,150 researchers in beneficiary companies from the two countries.

Additionally, SIIRD facilitated about 100 discussions related to R&D collaborations between companies in Singapore and Israel last year.

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