Mobile Internet will overtake desktop in 5 years
Nearly half part of the Internet users, 48% are concentrated in five countries, one of which is Brazil with 67 million users and a growth of 14% last year. The country with the largest number of users and the strongest growth in the last year was China with 384 million users and a growth of 29%. This not only confirms the strength of emerging markets and the role that economies such as Brazil will have in the XXI century.
The rapid adoption of the iPhone and its exponential growth in number of users has been a key factor in the launch of Internet use via mobile. In just three years after its launch, iPhone + iTouch users exceeded 11 orders of magnitude the total users of AOL from 1994 to today. According to Morgan Stanley in 2014 users and use more mobile Internet access to any device fixed.
And the number of users of social networks is already higher than those using e-mail from July of 2009.
As reported by Stanley, we are in the 6th technological cycle of the past 50 years. After Mainframes (1960s), the miniComputing (1970s), the era of personal computers (1980s), "Internet Computing Desktop" (1990s) and the Mobile Internet era (2000s), we enter the era of real explosion Mobile Internet use is characterized by: more processing power, improved user interface devices smaller, cheaper, explosion of services and a variety of devices (more than 10 billion devices connected in the world in 2020). The devices have undergone a tremendous evolution over the past 30 years (we all remember the screens of the mainframe or AS/400). Now they are "touch" themselves are controlled by fingers (before mice and keyboards) and used for something more than simple communication: to consume content and applications of all kinds.
The mobile broadband enabled by 3G and its evolution will be the facilitator of this. According to MS the global turning point for the start of the 6th was precisely the year 2010 which will exceed 1000 million 3G users worldwide, representing a 21% global penetration.
Internet use has changed. Social networks and video leading the trend. Users of social networks in the world and to reach 850 million (with an annual growth of 32%) and what is more important, have doubled the number of minutes users spend on them by 50% from prior year . Facebook has 471 million users, having doubled their numbers in just 1 year.
Most important of all is that every time the user will have more value in a single integrated communications device, calendar, games, messaging, videos, music etc. .. and that this device is a mobile.
The use of internet video will grow by 131% (2009-2014) representing 69% of the total data that are moved by the Network in 2014.
Internet use in Apple or Android devices is much greater than in the rest of Smartphones indicating that war device is configured between two, displacing Symbian, RIM or Windows itself.
The proliferation of mobile applications and monetization is also growing. Some mobility-related features such as:
- Location-based services for finding the services / products we buy in the area where we are.
- The price comparisons on-line and when it will be a competitive advantage for mobile purchases compared to traditional shopping.
- Discount due to cost savings of online.
- The immediate release of the product we buy will make mobile Internet purchases have disruptive characteristics compared to traditional shopping.
In short, we are left with three ideas:
- The mobile will be the leader of the digital future,
- The video will be the main causanete the exponential growth of data traffic on the Net
- The consumer Internet habits will change drastically by the appearance of mobile provides specific parameters and intrinsic.
Do we want to lead it?
Gema Esteban
Source: Fundación Telefónica
Internet móvil superará al desktop en 5 años
Casi la mitad, de los usuarios de Internet, un 48%, se encuentran concentrados en 5 países del mundo, uno de los cuales es Brasil con 67 millones de usuarios y un crecimiento del 14% en el último año. El país con el mayor número de usuarios y el crecimiento más fuerte en el último año ha sido China con 384 millones de usuarios y un crecimiento del 29%. Esto no hace más que confirmar la fuerza de los mercados emergentes y el papel preponderante que economías como la brasileña van a tener en el siglo XXI.
La rápida adopción del iPhone y su exponencial crecimiento en número de usuarios ha sido un factor clave en el despegue del uso de Internet a través del móvil. En tan sólo 3 años después de su lanzamiento, los usuarios del iPhone + iTouch superaron en 11 órdenes de magnitud al total de usuarios de AOL desde 1994 hasta hoy. Según Morgan Stanley en el año 2014 los usuarios ya usarán más el móvil para acceder a Internet que cualquier dispositivo fijo.
Y el número de usuarios de redes sociales ya es mayor que los que usan el correo electrónico desde Julio del año 2009.
Según lo publicado por Stanley, estamos en el 6º ciclo tecnológico de los últimos 50 años. Después de los Mainframes (1960s), los miniComputing (1970s), la era de los ordenadores personales (1980s), "Desktop Internet Computing"(1990s) y la era de Internet Móvil (2000s), entramos en la época de la explosión real del uso de Internet Móvil caracterizada por : más capacidad de procesado, mejora del interfaz de usuario, dispositivos más pequeños, más baratos, explosión de servicios y multitud de dispositivos (más de 10000 millones de dispositivos conectados en el mundo en 2020). Los dispositivos han sufrido una evolución tremenda en los últimos 30 años (todos recordamos las pantallas de los mainframes o AS/400). Ahora son "táctiles", se controlan con los propios dedos (antes con ratones y teclados) y se usan para algo más que la simple comunicación: para consumir contenidos y aplicaciones de todo tipo.
La banda ancha móvil habilitada por la 3G y sus evoluciones será el facilitador de todo esto. Según MS el punto de inflexión mundial para el inicio de la 6ª era es precisamente el año 2010 en el que se superarán los 1000 millones de usuarios 3G en el mundo, lo que supone una penetración mundial del 21%.
El uso de Internet ha cambiado. Las redes sociales y el video lideran la tendencia. Los usuarios de redes sociales en el mundo llegan ya a 850 millones (con un crecimiento anual de un 32%) y lo que es más importante: han doblado el número de minutos que los usuarios pasan en ellas en un 50% desde el año anterior. Facebook cuenta con 471 millones de usuarios, habiendo doblado su número en tan sólo 1 año.
Lo más importante de todo esto es que cada vez el usuario va a valorar más tener en un solo dispositivo integradas las comunicaciones, su agenda, sus juegos, mensajería, videos, música etc.. y que ese dispositivo será un móvil.
El uso del video en Internet va a crecer un 131% (2009-2014) representando un 69% de los datos totales que van a circular por la Red en 2014.
El uso de Internet en los dispositivos Apple o Android es mucho mayor que en el resto de Smartphones lo que indica que la guerra de dispositivos se va configurando entre ambos dos, desbancando a Symbiam, RIM o el propio Windows.
La proliferación de aplicaciones en el móvil y su monetización también es creciente. Algunas características relacionadas con la movilidad como:
- Los servicios de localización que permiten encontrar los servicios/productos que queremos comprar en la zona en la que estamos.
- La comparación de precios on-line y en el momento será una ventaja competitiva de las compras móviles frente a las compras tradicionales.
- Grandes descuentos gracias al ahorro de costes del online.
- La obtención inmediata del producto que compramos, harán que las compras móviles por Internet tengan características disruptivas frente a las compras tradicionales.
En definitiva, nos quedaríamos con 3 ideas:
- El móvil será el líder del futuro digital,
- El vídeo será el principal causanete del crecimiento exponencial del tráfico de datos por la Red
- Los hábitos de consumo en Internet van a cambiar drásticamente por la irrupción del móvil que aporta parámetros propios e intrínsecos.
¿Queremos liderarlo?
Gema Esteban
Fuente: Fundación Telefónica
Cepal lanza consulta on line de tecnologías e información
Domingo 13 de junio de 2010 | | LND Animus
Una nueva agenda digital para América Latina y el Caribe, que entregue los lineamientos para el desarrollo de las tecnologías de la información y las comunicaciones, es lo que busca conseguir la Comisión Económica para América Latina (Cepal) a través de una consulta electrónica masiva organizada por el Programa Sociedad de la Información.
La encuesta on line, que pueden responder todos los interesados hasta el 16 de julio, aborda 10 temáticas entre las que destacan el acceso a banda ancha, gobierno electrónico y marco legal de internet. "Nuestra consulta quiere recoger la sensibilidad, opiniones y propuestas de todas las personas del ámbito público o privado, que se interesen en las políticas de la sociedad de la información. De esta forma, generar un plan de acción regional para reducir la pobreza, la inequidad y la exclusión social", asegura Anna García, coordinadora de comunicaciones del Programa Sociedad de la Información de Cepal.
García explicó que las respuestas que se obtengan a través de la encuesta se transformarán en un trabajo que se expondrá en la Tercera Conferencia Ministerial de la Información, que se realizará en noviembre en Lima, Perú. "En la conferencia, los países tomarán nuestro trabajo para llegar a un consenso en planes de información y tecnología y, a partir de éste, propondrán los lineamientos futuros a cada país en este ámbito. Por eso es tan importante que todos voten", agrega la coordinadora. Para votar, hay que seguir este link
Fuente: La Nación.cl
Cepal launches online consultation and information technologies
Sunday June 13, 2010 | | NLD Animus
A new digital agenda for Latin America and the Caribbean, which give guidelines for the development of information technology and communications, you´re looking to get the Economic Commission for Latin America (Cepal) through an electronic consultation organized mass by Information Society Programme.
The online survey, which can satisfy all stakeholders until 16 July, addressed 10 topics among which broadband access, electronic government and Internet legal framework. "Our consultation is to collect sensitive, opinions and proposals of all persons in the public or private, interested in the policies of the information society. Thus, to generate a regional action plan to reduce poverty, inequality and social exclusion, "said Anna Garcia, communications coordinator for the Information Society Programme of Cepal.
Garcia explained that the submissions received through the survey will be transformed into a work that will be presented at the Third Ministerial Conference of the Information, to be held in November in Lima, Peru. "At the conference, the countries will take our work to reach a consensus on information and technology plans, and from this, proposed future guidelines for each country in this field.´s Why it´s important that everyone vote," adds coordinator. To vote, follow this link
Source: The Nación.cl
Cepal lanza consulta on line de tecnologías e información
Domingo 13 de junio de 2010 | | LND Animus
Una nueva agenda digital para América Latina y el Caribe, que entregue los lineamientos para el desarrollo de las tecnologías de la información y las comunicaciones, es lo que busca conseguir la Comisión Económica para América Latina (Cepal) a través de una consulta electrónica masiva organizada por el Programa Sociedad de la Información.
La encuesta on line, que pueden responder todos los interesados hasta el 16 de julio, aborda 10 temáticas entre las que destacan el acceso a banda ancha, gobierno electrónico y marco legal de internet. "Nuestra consulta quiere recoger la sensibilidad, opiniones y propuestas de todas las personas del ámbito público o privado, que se interesen en las políticas de la sociedad de la información. De esta forma, generar un plan de acción regional para reducir la pobreza, la inequidad y la exclusión social", asegura Anna García, coordinadora de comunicaciones del Programa Sociedad de la Información de Cepal.
García explicó que las respuestas que se obtengan a través de la encuesta se transformarán en un trabajo que se expondrá en la Tercera Conferencia Ministerial de la Información, que se realizará en noviembre en Lima, Perú. "En la conferencia, los países tomarán nuestro trabajo para llegar a un consenso en planes de información y tecnología y, a partir de éste, propondrán los lineamientos futuros a cada país en este ámbito. Por eso es tan importante que todos voten", agrega la coordinadora. Para votar, hay que seguir este link
Fuente: La Nación.cl
Singapore And China To Develop e-City In Tianjin
Senior Minister of State Grace Fu and Tianjin Vice Mayor Ren Xuefeng co-chair third Singapore-Tianjin Economic and Trade Council meeting in Singapore today and witness four project signings, three of which involve the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City.
In line with Tianjin´s plans to transform into a digitally-connected city and develop its services sectors, infocomm technology (ICT) and modern services will be the key areas of focus for Singapore-Tianjin economic collaboration.
At the third Singapore-Tianjin Economic and Trade Council (STETC) meeting held in Singapore today, both sides agreed to work closely on adopting ICT to develop Tianjin as an e-City, as well as to explore modern services, such as "Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions" (MICE) and retail services.
The meeting was co-chaired by the Vice Chairmen of the STETC, namely Senior Minister of State (SMS) for National Development and Education Grace Fu, and Tianjin Vice Mayor Ren Xuefeng. The Co-Chairmen for the council are Minister for National Development Mah Bow Tan and Tianjin Mayor Huang Xingguo, with International Enterprise (IE) Singapore as the Singapore secretariat for STETC.
Said SMS Fu, "This is the third year since the Council was established and we have seen good progress in bilateral economic collaboration. This includes the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city and projects spanning various sectors such as environmental services, hospitality, vocational and technical education (VTE), and more. We hope to continue to partake in growth sectors aligned to Tianjin´s development plans and offer not just our consultancy expertise, but project management capabilities as well. The council has identified two key areas to work on for the new coming year, namely leveraging ICT to develop an e-City, and modern services. These are areas that Singapore companies have strong abilities in."
Following the meeting, SMS Fu and Vice Mayor Ren witnessed four company/association project signings:
- MICE - MOU between Singapore Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (SACEOS) and Tianjin International Convention & Exhibition Association to collaborate in expertise exchange, manpower training and organisation of international events.
- Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City - Land Use Rights Transfer Agreement signing between Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City Investment and Development Co., Ltd. (SSTEC) and Sichuan Neautus Traditional Chinese Medicine.
- Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City - Land Use Rights Transfer Agreement signing between SSTEC and Singapore´s Pan Asian Water Solutions.
- Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City - MOU signing between SSTEC and Singapore´s Broadway Industrial Group.
Vice Mayor Ren is in town for a three-day visit from 8 - 10 June 2010 with a 35- strong delegation comprising government and business representatives. They will be visiting various Singapore companies to learn more about Singapore´s maritime and port industry, water and wastewater management, real estate and more.
Fast growth of Tianjin presents opportunities in modern services
In 2009, Tianjin´s GDP was ranked sixth in China, after the cities of Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Suzhou. Among these, Tianjin´s GDP growth was the highest at 16.5%. Tianjin´s GDP per capita also reached a relatively high figure of US$8,388 (+ 5%) in 2009, which was close to Beijing´s GDP per capita of US$10,0701. It also saw strong growth in the first quarter of 2010, with GDP at RMB 184.24 billion, an increase of 18.1% compared to the same period last year.
In addition, Tianjin was ranked sixth behind the cities of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou in a study on the competitiveness of cities in China by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. In the same study, Tianjin was assessed to have the greatest potential for growth in the next 10 years. The above point to the fast growth and business potential of this municipality.
In January this year at the Tianjin Government Work Report2 sharing, Mayor Huang Xingguo highlighted the ten areas that the city is focusing on for 2010.
One of them is the development of the services industry, which plays an important role in economic transformation and restructuring, as well as improving the city´s competitiveness.
With Tianjin´s direction to focus more efforts in services across sectors such as tourism, financial services, logistics, hospitality and more, Singapore companies can come in to offer relevant expertise. The fact that our services sectors accounted for 69% of our GDP in 2009 (at current prices) reflect the importance of services to Singapore and our companies´ capabilities.
Building on close collaboration in tourism and VTE last year, other areas to partner include MICE and retail services.
Adopting ICT to develop Tianjin into an e-City
Singapore companies are also well equipped to offer ICT services and solutions for Tianjin to enhance its business and living environment as a digitally connected city. Singapore has adopted a close private-public partnership approach in its ICT journey, which has since played a significant role in transforming Singapore into a high-tech economy today, creating ease for both the business and social communities.
Singapore companies have developed domain expertise and experience in designing and implementing solutions that can be applied and integrated in various industries, including healthcare, financial services, transport, education and more. Examples include our integrated clinic management system, electronic road pricing system, CitizenConnect, etc.
Therefore, there is much potential in ICT collaboration as Tianjin seeks to become an e-City.
From January - April 2010, bilateral trade between Singapore and Tianjin amounted to US$0.3 billion, a decrease of 10% over the same period in 2009.
In 2009, bilateral trade amounted to US$1.73 billion, of which exports to Tianjin accounted for US$0.96 billion while imports from Tianjin accounted for US$0.77 billion. (Source: Tianjin Commission of Commerce)
From January - April 2010, Singapore´s actual foreign direct investments (FDI) in Tianjin hit US$0.19 billion with eight projects.
As of end April 2010, Singapore´s cumulative actual FDI in Tianjin amounted to US$3.32 billion with a total of 707 projects. In 2009, Singapore was Tianjin´s fifth largest investor. (Source: Tianjin Commission of Commerce)
Singapore And China To Develop e-City In Tianjin
Senior Minister of State Grace Fu and Tianjin Vice Mayor Ren Xuefeng co-chair third Singapore-Tianjin Economic and Trade Council meeting in Singapore today and witness four project signings, three of which involve the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City.
In line with Tianjin´s plans to transform into a digitally-connected city and develop its services sectors, infocomm technology (ICT) and modern services will be the key areas of focus for Singapore-Tianjin economic collaboration.
At the third Singapore-Tianjin Economic and Trade Council (STETC) meeting held in Singapore today, both sides agreed to work closely on adopting ICT to develop Tianjin as an e-City, as well as to explore modern services, such as "Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions" (MICE) and retail services.
The meeting was co-chaired by the Vice Chairmen of the STETC, namely Senior Minister of State (SMS) for National Development and Education Grace Fu, and Tianjin Vice Mayor Ren Xuefeng. The Co-Chairmen for the council are Minister for National Development Mah Bow Tan and Tianjin Mayor Huang Xingguo, with International Enterprise (IE) Singapore as the Singapore secretariat for STETC.
Said SMS Fu, "This is the third year since the Council was established and we have seen good progress in bilateral economic collaboration. This includes the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city and projects spanning various sectors such as environmental services, hospitality, vocational and technical education (VTE), and more. We hope to continue to partake in growth sectors aligned to Tianjin´s development plans and offer not just our consultancy expertise, but project management capabilities as well. The council has identified two key areas to work on for the new coming year, namely leveraging ICT to develop an e-City, and modern services. These are areas that Singapore companies have strong abilities in."
Following the meeting, SMS Fu and Vice Mayor Ren witnessed four company/association project signings:
- MICE - MOU between Singapore Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (SACEOS) and Tianjin International Convention & Exhibition Association to collaborate in expertise exchange, manpower training and organisation of international events.
- Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City - Land Use Rights Transfer Agreement signing between Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City Investment and Development Co., Ltd. (SSTEC) and Sichuan Neautus Traditional Chinese Medicine.
- Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City - Land Use Rights Transfer Agreement signing between SSTEC and Singapore´s Pan Asian Water Solutions.
- Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City - MOU signing between SSTEC and Singapore´s Broadway Industrial Group.
Vice Mayor Ren is in town for a three-day visit from 8 - 10 June 2010 with a 35- strong delegation comprising government and business representatives. They will be visiting various Singapore companies to learn more about Singapore´s maritime and port industry, water and wastewater management, real estate and more.
Fast growth of Tianjin presents opportunities in modern services
In 2009, Tianjin´s GDP was ranked sixth in China, after the cities of Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Suzhou. Among these, Tianjin´s GDP growth was the highest at 16.5%. Tianjin´s GDP per capita also reached a relatively high figure of US$8,388 (+ 5%) in 2009, which was close to Beijing´s GDP per capita of US$10,0701. It also saw strong growth in the first quarter of 2010, with GDP at RMB 184.24 billion, an increase of 18.1% compared to the same period last year.
In addition, Tianjin was ranked sixth behind the cities of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou in a study on the competitiveness of cities in China by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. In the same study, Tianjin was assessed to have the greatest potential for growth in the next 10 years. The above point to the fast growth and business potential of this municipality.
In January this year at the Tianjin Government Work Report2 sharing, Mayor Huang Xingguo highlighted the ten areas that the city is focusing on for 2010.
One of them is the development of the services industry, which plays an important role in economic transformation and restructuring, as well as improving the city´s competitiveness.
With Tianjin´s direction to focus more efforts in services across sectors such as tourism, financial services, logistics, hospitality and more, Singapore companies can come in to offer relevant expertise. The fact that our services sectors accounted for 69% of our GDP in 2009 (at current prices) reflect the importance of services to Singapore and our companies´ capabilities.
Building on close collaboration in tourism and VTE last year, other areas to partner include MICE and retail services.
Adopting ICT to develop Tianjin into an e-City
Singapore companies are also well equipped to offer ICT services and solutions for Tianjin to enhance its business and living environment as a digitally connected city. Singapore has adopted a close private-public partnership approach in its ICT journey, which has since played a significant role in transforming Singapore into a high-tech economy today, creating ease for both the business and social communities.
Singapore companies have developed domain expertise and experience in designing and implementing solutions that can be applied and integrated in various industries, including healthcare, financial services, transport, education and more. Examples include our integrated clinic management system, electronic road pricing system, CitizenConnect, etc.
Therefore, there is much potential in ICT collaboration as Tianjin seeks to become an e-City.
From January - April 2010, bilateral trade between Singapore and Tianjin amounted to US$0.3 billion, a decrease of 10% over the same period in 2009.
In 2009, bilateral trade amounted to US$1.73 billion, of which exports to Tianjin accounted for US$0.96 billion while imports from Tianjin accounted for US$0.77 billion. (Source: Tianjin Commission of Commerce)
From January - April 2010, Singapore´s actual foreign direct investments (FDI) in Tianjin hit US$0.19 billion with eight projects.
As of end April 2010, Singapore´s cumulative actual FDI in Tianjin amounted to US$3.32 billion with a total of 707 projects. In 2009, Singapore was Tianjin´s fifth largest investor. (Source: Tianjin Commission of Commerce)
Singapore And China To Develop e-City In Tianjin
Senior Minister of State Grace Fu and Tianjin Vice Mayor Ren Xuefeng co-chair third Singapore-Tianjin Economic and Trade Council meeting in Singapore today and witness four project signings, three of which involve the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City.
In line with Tianjin´s plans to transform into a digitally-connected city and develop its services sectors, infocomm technology (ICT) and modern services will be the key areas of focus for Singapore-Tianjin economic collaboration.
At the third Singapore-Tianjin Economic and Trade Council (STETC) meeting held in Singapore today, both sides agreed to work closely on adopting ICT to develop Tianjin as an e-City, as well as to explore modern services, such as "Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions" (MICE) and retail services.
The meeting was co-chaired by the Vice Chairmen of the STETC, namely Senior Minister of State (SMS) for National Development and Education Grace Fu, and Tianjin Vice Mayor Ren Xuefeng. The Co-Chairmen for the council are Minister for National Development Mah Bow Tan and Tianjin Mayor Huang Xingguo, with International Enterprise (IE) Singapore as the Singapore secretariat for STETC.
Said SMS Fu, "This is the third year since the Council was established and we have seen good progress in bilateral economic collaboration. This includes the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city and projects spanning various sectors such as environmental services, hospitality, vocational and technical education (VTE), and more. We hope to continue to partake in growth sectors aligned to Tianjin´s development plans and offer not just our consultancy expertise, but project management capabilities as well. The council has identified two key areas to work on for the new coming year, namely leveraging ICT to develop an e-City, and modern services. These are areas that Singapore companies have strong abilities in."
Following the meeting, SMS Fu and Vice Mayor Ren witnessed four company/association project signings:
- MICE - MOU between Singapore Association of Convention and Exhibition Organisers and Suppliers (SACEOS) and Tianjin International Convention & Exhibition Association to collaborate in expertise exchange, manpower training and organisation of international events.
- Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City - Land Use Rights Transfer Agreement signing between Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City Investment and Development Co., Ltd. (SSTEC) and Sichuan Neautus Traditional Chinese Medicine.
- Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City - Land Use Rights Transfer Agreement signing between SSTEC and Singapore´s Pan Asian Water Solutions.
- Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-City - MOU signing between SSTEC and Singapore´s Broadway Industrial Group.
Vice Mayor Ren is in town for a three-day visit from 8 - 10 June 2010 with a 35- strong delegation comprising government and business representatives. They will be visiting various Singapore companies to learn more about Singapore´s maritime and port industry, water and wastewater management, real estate and more.
Fast growth of Tianjin presents opportunities in modern services
In 2009, Tianjin´s GDP was ranked sixth in China, after the cities of Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Suzhou. Among these, Tianjin´s GDP growth was the highest at 16.5%. Tianjin´s GDP per capita also reached a relatively high figure of US$8,388 (+ 5%) in 2009, which was close to Beijing´s GDP per capita of US$10,0701. It also saw strong growth in the first quarter of 2010, with GDP at RMB 184.24 billion, an increase of 18.1% compared to the same period last year.
In addition, Tianjin was ranked sixth behind the cities of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou in a study on the competitiveness of cities in China by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. In the same study, Tianjin was assessed to have the greatest potential for growth in the next 10 years. The above point to the fast growth and business potential of this municipality.
In January this year at the Tianjin Government Work Report2 sharing, Mayor Huang Xingguo highlighted the ten areas that the city is focusing on for 2010.
One of them is the development of the services industry, which plays an important role in economic transformation and restructuring, as well as improving the city´s competitiveness.
With Tianjin´s direction to focus more efforts in services across sectors such as tourism, financial services, logistics, hospitality and more, Singapore companies can come in to offer relevant expertise. The fact that our services sectors accounted for 69% of our GDP in 2009 (at current prices) reflect the importance of services to Singapore and our companies´ capabilities.
Building on close collaboration in tourism and VTE last year, other areas to partner include MICE and retail services.
Adopting ICT to develop Tianjin into an e-City
Singapore companies are also well equipped to offer ICT services and solutions for Tianjin to enhance its business and living environment as a digitally connected city. Singapore has adopted a close private-public partnership approach in its ICT journey, which has since played a significant role in transforming Singapore into a high-tech economy today, creating ease for both the business and social communities.
Singapore companies have developed domain expertise and experience in designing and implementing solutions that can be applied and integrated in various industries, including healthcare, financial services, transport, education and more. Examples include our integrated clinic management system, electronic road pricing system, CitizenConnect, etc.
Therefore, there is much potential in ICT collaboration as Tianjin seeks to become an e-City.
From January - April 2010, bilateral trade between Singapore and Tianjin amounted to US$0.3 billion, a decrease of 10% over the same period in 2009.
In 2009, bilateral trade amounted to US$1.73 billion, of which exports to Tianjin accounted for US$0.96 billion while imports from Tianjin accounted for US$0.77 billion. (Source: Tianjin Commission of Commerce)
From January - April 2010, Singapore´s actual foreign direct investments (FDI) in Tianjin hit US$0.19 billion with eight projects.
As of end April 2010, Singapore´s cumulative actual FDI in Tianjin amounted to US$3.32 billion with a total of 707 projects. In 2009, Singapore was Tianjin´s fifth largest investor. (Source: Tianjin Commission of Commerce)