Ex-EDB chairman and pioneer economic stalwart Chan Chin Bock dies at 93

SINGAPORE – Former Economic Development Board (EDB) chairman Chan Chin Bock died on Sept 12 at age 93, leaving behind his wife Rose and daughter Grace.

One of the architects of the Republic’s economic take-off towards the end of the first decade of independence, he spent over 30 years at the statutory board, and was its third chairman from 1972 to 1975, and alternate chairman from 1975 to 1987, when he was based in the US.

Chan expanded EDB’s international footprint, attracted prominent MNCs to Singapore, and created joint training centres to build up Singapore’s skilled labour pool.

He also continued to mentor young EDB officers after he left in 1995.

He received the Public Administration Medal (Silver) in 1969, the Public Administration Medal (Gold) in 1973 and the Meritorious Service Award in 1988.

Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong praised him as “one of the pioneers of Singapore’s economic development”, in a Facebook post on Sept 12.

He wrote: “Mr Chan and others of his generation were working without a proven playbook, but they understood that Singapore’s future depended on staying open to the world, earning the confidence of investors, and continually building the capabilities of our people.

“Indeed, one of his major projects was to build up Singapore’s skill base, through apprenticeship and training programmes that laid the foundation for high-tech, capital intensive industries to come to Singapore and create jobs for our people.”

He added that Singapore owed Chan “a debt of gratitude for his contributions” and that “his family and loved ones may... find comfort in knowing that his life’s work has left an enduring mark on our country”.

In a separate Facebook post on the same day, Minister for Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) Tan See Leng said: “From helping to develop new industries in our early years to navigating the difficult economic conditions of the 1980s, Mr Chan witnessed first-hand how Singapore’s economy grew and transformed over the decades.

“His contributions left a lasting legacy at EDB, and helped shape the organisation as it evolved with Singapore’s changing needs.”

Chan was a teacher before he joined EDB in 1964, and worked under Hon Sui Sen – EDB’s founding chairman who was later Singapore’s Finance Minister.

He was then sent to the US to contact more than 300,000 multinational companies across 50 states, to woo them here to produce goods for export, according to a 2015 Straits Times report.

Chan himself knocked on the doors of these companies there and asked them to visit Singapore, then persuading them to open factories to create jobs here.

Among the colourful anecdotes of his illustrious career was when he told of refusing to sign a three-year bond for EDB sponsoring his four-month course at a United Nations Fellows Programme in 1968.

“I refused to sign the bond but instead I stayed for 30 years without the bond,” he quipped.

After retiring in 1995, he briefly led the EDB Consulting Group and undertook development projects in Oman, Ghana and Cambodia.

Despite having to use a wheelchair after a stroke in 1997, he returned regularly to the office to train young officers.

In its own Facebook post, EDB hailed him as “one of the pioneering leaders of Singapore’s economic story”.

It said that foreign investment commitments secured by EDB increased from $320 million to $1.7 billion annually when Chan oversaw its worldwide network of 17 offices. Chan also secured Singapore’s first investment in the semiconductor and precision engineering industries, according to the board.

“These industries laid the groundwork for the information technology, semiconductor and aerospace industries that Singapore has today,” EDB said, adding that he helped to establish its International Advisory Council.

“Mr Chan will always be remembered and admired for his leadership skills and his total dedication to Singapore. His passion and vision was his legacy, inspiring generations of EDB officers past and present,” the board said.

“EDB will honour his legacy and continue to attract investments, develop industries and create good jobs for Singaporeans.”

His wake is being held at the Church of St Stephen in MacPherson on Sept 13 from 11am to 10pm with a service at 8pm. The cortege leaves at 12.45pm on Sept 14 for Mandai Crematorium Hall 2 for cremation at 1.40pm.