Business · Singapore Bureau
Chan Chin Bock, pioneering EDB chairman, dies at 93
Chan Chin Bock, who steered the Economic Development Board through a pivotal period in Singapore's industrial transformation, has passed away at 93. The veteran administrator served as the agency's third chairman from 1972 to 1975 after spending three decades building the institution.
LSN Singapore ·
Chan Chin Bock was among the generation of economic architects who shaped Singapore's post-independence development strategy. His three-year tenure as EDB chairman coincided with a critical phase in the nation's shift from entrepôt trade to manufacturing-driven growth.
During his leadership at the board, Singapore was deepening its industrialisation efforts and attracting foreign direct investment to establish itself as a regional economic hub. The period marked significant progress in diversifying the economy beyond port-related activities.
Chan's three-decade association with the EDB reflected his deep commitment to the organisation's mission. He was instrumental in the board's early efforts to position Singapore as an attractive destination for multinational corporations seeking manufacturing bases in Southeast Asia.
His death marks the passing of another veteran from Singapore's pioneer generation of policymakers, whose work during the 1960s and 1970s established the foundations for the island's later economic success. He is survived by his family.