Guest of Honour – Mr Tan Kiat How

Mr Tan Kiat How

Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information
Senior Minister of State, Ministry of National Development
Singapore

Biography

Mr Tan Kiat How is the Senior Minister of State at the Ministry of Digital Development and Information, where he focuses on the Ministry’s efforts in supporting digital transformation of businesses and helping the Small-Medium Enterprises improve their productivity and access new markets. Mr Tan is concurrently the Senior Minister of State for National Development.

Mr Tan also chairs REACH, the lead agency in facilitating whole-of-government efforts in engaging and connecting with Singaporeans on national and social issues close to their hearts, as well as the National Translation Committee. Mr Tan had also previously served in the Prime Minister’s Office as Minister of State.

Prior to entering politics, Mr Tan spent close to 20 years in the public service. He began his career as an IT consultant in the Ministry of Education, under a National Computer Board scholarship. He held several appointments in the then-Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore, before moving to the Ministry of Finance to head its economic programmes department. Mr Tan started the Pioneer Generation Office, which is now known as the Silver Generation Office. Under his leadership, the Pioneer Generation Office mobilised 3,000 volunteers to reach out to almost 500,000 seniors within two years.

Mr Tan subsequently took on leadership roles as Deputy Secretary in the then-Ministry of Communications and Information (renamed as the Ministry of Digital Development and Information on 8 July 2024), before he was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Infocomm and Media Development Authority.

As a computer engineer by training, Mr Tan has a passion for using technology to enhance the lives of Singaporeans. He led the shaping of the national cybersecurity masterplan and championed a more digital economy and society, including the ethical use of Artificial Intelligence, roll-out of 5G mobile networks, and launch of the SG Digital Ambassadors Programme. He helped to develop the Intelligent Nation 2015 blueprint and drove the implementation of the nationwide fibre-to-the-home infrastructure.

Mr Tan graduated summa cum laude from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign with Bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Computer Engineering in 2001. He also holds a Master’s degree in Management Science and Engineering from Stanford University.

Mr Tan is married with two children. In his spare time, Mr Tan enjoys the outdoors and spending time with his family and rescued dogs.