Mr Ko (right) will be taking a backseat while Dr Beh will helm the EDB from 1 August 2008

THE man who anchored the securing of the world’s largest solar energy manufacturing complex in Singapore has stepped down after spending more than seven years at the helm of the Economic Development Board (EDB).

Mr Ko Kheng Hwa, 53, is heading for the private sector after 29 years in public service.

Assistant managing director Beh Swan Gin would take over on Aug 1 in what the EDB said yesterday was part of its ‘leadership renewal and succession plan’.

‘The EDB…constantly renews itself. It has a robust system for grooming from within and for providing opportunities for its officers,’ said chairman Lim Siong Guan.

Mr Ko, a President’s Scholar, has degrees from Cambridge University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His public service included heading Jurong Town Corp and the former National Computer Board.

He also led the EDB’s thrust into China, India and the Middle East, as well as forays into new industries, such as education, digital media and clean energy.

One especially big win was a commitment made last year to build the world’s biggest solar panel factory in Singapore.

The $6.3 billion deal was brokered by the multi-agency Clean Energy Programme Office led by Mr Ko.

Mr Ko’s successor, Dr Beh, has been key in the development of the country’s biomedical sector.

Dr Beh, 40, was previously the executive director of the biomedical research council of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research, and the energy planning director at the Trade and Industry Ministry.

A medical doctor by training, Dr Beh is a Sloan Fellow with a masters degree in management from Stanford University.

Said Mr Lim: ‘Swan Gin has been immersed in many areas of the EDB’s work and is intimately familiar with the challenges and opportunities that we face in developing Singapore’s economy.’

By sphpurple

Starting from 1 August 2008, Dr Beh Swan Gin will be on board with the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) as its new Managing Director, in succession of its current outgoing Managing Director, Mr. Ko Kheng Hwa.

For the full press release, click here.

By sphpurple

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