PM Lee Hsien Loong at the Official Opening of the Waterfront Promenade and the Marina Bay City Gallery

I am pleased to join you today at the New Paper Big Walk for the official opening of the waterfront promenade at Marina Bay and the Marina Bay City Gallery.

The 3.5 km waterfront promenade is a key piece of the Marina Bay development. It follows the opening of the Helix Bridge and Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort earlier this year. With the waterfront promenade completed, we can now walk around the whole Marina Bay, and take in the magnificent views.

Marina Bay City Gallery tells the Marina Bay Story. Its development is the result of ceaseless efforts over more than 30 years. There was nothing but sea here in the 1970s. But even then we had a vision of building an extension to our city centre. Hence we reclaimed land, planned ahead and invested in development year-after-year. Eventually we built up a new downtown with a signature skyline.

Marina Bay will be a key platform and catalyst for our future growth. It hosts our new financial district, boosting Singapore’s position as a leading financial and business centre in Asia. It provides premier waterfront business locations. It offers a vibrant work-live-play environment with a wide range of amenities. I hope it will develop to define Singapore, in the same way that the Bund defines the city of Shanghai.

The private sector has given the Marina Bay its vote of confidence. The Bay has to-date attracted over S$20 billion of private real estate investments. Local and international firms from the US, Australia, Europe and the Middle East have invested. I hope in the years ahead Bay will host the regional and global headquarters for many companies operating in Asia.

Marina Bay is also a destination that all Singaporeans can enjoy. Marina Barrage is already a favourite destination for families, especially during weekends. The waterfront promenade also designed to be an attractive outdoor space, with venues for public events and mass activities (like the one today), innovative design features like the Mist Walk and Breeze, and shelters so pedestrians feel cooler and more comfortable.

The first phase of the Gardens by the Bay will open soon. When fully completed, the Gardens will span some 100ha in the heart of Marina Bay. I hope it will become another favourite destination for Singaporeans and tourists. URA, Esplanade Theatres and others will organise a series of exciting events to enliven the Bay, including a spectacular urban light art festival towards the end of the year.

With each passing day, we are making Marina Bay a more beautiful and vibrant place. This mirrors our efforts all over the island, as we continue to build a Best Home for all Singaporeans.