Singapore - Digital Utility Stack

This video outlines Singapore’s strategic approach to Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), which they conceptualize as foundational “Digital Utilities” (DUs). Presented by Elizabeth Wong of Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), it details the components of their “Singapore Digital Utility Stack” (SGDU Stack) and the execution-focused principles guiding its development and adoption. The core value is understanding Singapore’s practical, interoperability-focused model for building DPI, emphasizing collaboration and leveraging existing standards rather than isolated development.

Synthesized Summary

Singapore, through its Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), approaches DPI by building a stack of “Digital Utilities” (DUs) – foundational digital functionalities analogous to physical utilities like water and power [01:31]. This SGDU Stack includes Digital ID, E-payments & E-invoicing, Document Attestation, and Data Exchange, designed to enable broad participation in the digital economy [01:14, 02:04].

Singapore’s strategy is distinctly execution-driven, guided by the principle “Think Global, Act Local” [03:14]. This involves four key operating approaches: 1) Aligning with dominant international standards (like PEPPOL for e-invoicing) to ensure scale and cross-border connectivity [03:41, 04:56]; 2) Building strong Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to leverage private sector expertise, market reach, and infrastructure management (examples include SGTraDex for data exchange and InvoiceNow for e-invoicing) [03:47, 06:32, 07:53]; 3) Actively facilitating cross-border transactions and interoperability through government-to-government agreements (DEAs) and participation in international standards pilots (like PINT) [03:56, 08:47, 09:35]; 4) Systematically driving adoption and utilization using government levers such as regulatory mandates, financial incentives (grants), and marketing campaigns to kickstart network effects [04:02, 10:09]. A core message shared is the recommendation for other countries not to build DPI from scratch but to collaborate, look beyond borders, and leverage existing global standards and partnerships [11:48].

Key Learnings & Recommendations

• Conceptualize DPI as Utilities: Frame DPI components as foundational “Digital Utilities” essential for digital economy participation, similar to physical utilities [01:07, 01:50].
• Adopt a Stack Approach: Build DPI as an integrated stack (SGDU Stack) comprising key functionalities like ID, Payments, Data Exchange, etc. [01:14, 02:04].
• Prioritize Execution & Interoperability: Focus on a “Think Global, Act Local” execution strategy that emphasizes global interoperability from the start [03:14, 03:32].
• Align with International Standards: Leverage dominant international standards (e.g., PEPPOL) to ensure scalability, cross-border connectivity, and avoid reinventing the wheel [03:41, 04:56, 05:00].
• Leverage Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Utilize PPPs effectively, assigning roles based on strengths (e.g., government for infrastructure/standards, private sector for market adoption/solutions) [03:47, 06:32, 08:10]. DPI doesn’t need to be entirely government-built or managed [06:43].
• Facilitate Cross-Border Flows: Actively build pathways for sustained cross-border interoperability through G2G agreements (e.g., DEAs) and participation in international initiatives [03:56, 08:47].
• Drive Adoption Systematically: Use government levers strategically (regulation, grants, marketing) to incentivize both user adoption and supply-side development, creating network effects [04:02, 10:09, 11:09].
• Don’t Build From Scratch: Avoid isolated, bespoke development; look for existing standards, partners, and opportunities for collaboration. The whole ecosystem is greater than its parts [11:48, 12:40].
• Acknowledge the Long Game: Building DPI and fostering private sector buy-in requires a long-term, nation-building perspective, as immediate ROI may not be apparent [17:14, 17:24].

Key Visual Information

• SGDU Stack Diagram [02:04 - 02:16]: Visually represents the four core pillars of Singapore’s Digital Utility Stack: Digital Identity, E-Payments & E-Invoicing, Document Attestation, and Data Exchange, each with a key question it addresses (e.g., “How do people and enterprises identify themselves?”).
• SGDU Stack Outcomes [02:21 - 02:34]: Slide lists the four intended outcomes: Provision of Foundational Functionality, Harmonisation and Interoperability, Provision of Trust and Security, Facilitation of Broad-based Adoption.
• Four Operating Principles [03:41 - 04:07]: Slide outlines the four key approaches: Align to dominant international standards, Build public-private partnerships, Facilitate cross-border transactions, Drive adoption and utilization.
• PEPPOL Adoption Map [05:34 - 05:53]: World map showing countries with PEPPOL authorities (20), OpenPEPPOL members (44), and total members (543), illustrating the global scale and rationale for Singapore’s adoption.
• Document Attestation Framework [06:11 - 06:22]: Diagram showing engagement with international organizations (UN, ESCAP, ICC, W3C etc.) at political, organizational, semantic, and technical levels for trade document harmonization.
• InvoiceNow Ecosystem Diagram [07:10 - 07:18]: Illustrates the InvoiceNow network (based on PEPPOL) connecting government systems and businesses (mass, mid, high-end markets) via various access points and solutions (portals, ERP systems, enterprise solutions).
• SGTraDex PPP Model [08:11 - 08:33]: Slide comparing the roles of the public entity (SGTraDex Technologies - operates/maintains tech infrastructure) and the joint venture (SGTraDex Services - business development, market adoption) in the data exchange utility.
• PINT Diagram [09:36 - 10:00]: Shows how PINT (PEPPOL International) enables seamless cross-border e-invoice transactions between Singapore and other regions (Europe, Australia/NZ, Japan, Malaysia).
• InvoiceNow Adoption Levers [10:31, 11:10, 11:32]: Slides showing examples of government levers (regulatory mandate for govt vendors, grants for different business types/solution providers) and marketing campaigns used to drive adoption.
• Trade Trust Pilots Map [09:15 - 09:24]: World map highlighting various government-orchestrated and private sector-orchestrated cross-border trade pilots involving Singapore and partners (UK, Netherlands, Australia, China, Japan, etc.).

Key Questions Addressed or Raised

• Addressed:
  • What is Singapore’s approach to DPI (Digital Utilities)? [01:07]
  • What are the components of the SGDU Stack? [02:04]
  • What are the key principles guiding Singapore’s DPI execution? [03:39]
  • How does Singapore leverage international standards and PPPs? [04:21, 06:32]
  • How does Singapore drive adoption of its digital utilities? [10:09]
• Raised (for other countries):
  • What messages does Singapore have for countries in the early stages of DPI adoption? [11:42] (Answer: Don’t build from scratch, collaborate, use standards).
• Raised (Future Focus for IMDA):
  • What are emerging spaces IMDA is looking at for the future? [17:38] (Answer: Trust technologies, verified credentials, mutual recognition).

Stated or Implied Applications

• Digital Economy Participation: Enabling citizens and businesses to transact and engage digitally [01:50].
• Cross-Border Trade: Facilitating smoother international trade through interoperable digital documents and transactions (e.g., e-invoicing, document attestation for trade) [06:06, 08:42, 09:35].
• Business Efficiency: Streamlining processes like invoicing and payments for businesses of all sizes [04:45, 07:10].
• Supply Chain Ecosystem: Improving efficiency in specific sectors like trade finance, maritime, and logistics through data sharing (SGTraDex) [08:13].
• Cross-Border Talent Mobility: Potential application in streamlining job applications and credential verification across borders [16:00, 18:11].

Key Terminology Defined

• DPI (Digital Public Infrastructure): Foundational systems enabling digital services and economy [01:01].
• DU (Digital Utilities): Singapore’s term for DPI components, viewed as essential enablers like physical utilities [01:07, 01:31].
• SGDU Stack (Singapore Digital Utility Stack): The collection of DUs in Singapore (ID, Payments, E-invoicing, Data Exchange, Attestation) [02:11].
• IMDA (Infocomm Media Development Authority): Singapore government agency driving digital transformation and overseeing the Infocomm/Media sector [00:39].
• PEPPOL (Pan European Public Procurement Online): An international open standard and network primarily used for e-invoicing, adopted by Singapore (InvoiceNow) [04:56, 05:04].
• PINT (PEPPOL International): The next generation PEPPOL data standard enabling seamless cross-border transactions [09:35].
• PPP (Public-Private Partnership): Collaboration model between government and private sector, used extensively in Singapore’s DU approach [03:47, 06:32].
• SGTraDex: A PPP data exchange utility in Singapore [07:56].
• InvoiceNow: Singapore’s national e-invoicing network based on the PEPPOL standard [04:45, 07:08].
• DEA (Digital Economy Agreement): Government-to-government legal frameworks secured by Singapore to facilitate digital trade and interoperability [08:51].

Timestamped Outline / Chapters

• [00:00] - Introduction & Key Message (Don’t build DPI from scratch)
• [00:35] - Speaker Introduction & IMDA Overview
• [01:01] - Defining Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) as Digital Utilities (DUs) in Singapore
• [01:14] - Components of the Singapore Digital Utility (SGDU) Stack
• [02:17] - Desired Outcomes of the SGDU Stack
• [02:35] - Singapore’s Starting Point & Executional Approach (“Think Global, Act Local”)
• [03:39] - Four Key Operating Principles/Approaches
  • [03:41] - #Approach-1: Align to International Standards (PEPPOL Example)
  • [06:32] - #Approach-2: Build Public-Private Partnerships (InvoiceNow, SGTraDex Examples)
  • [08:37] - #Approach-3: Facilitate Cross-Border Transactions (DEAs, PINT Examples)
  • [10:01] - #Approach-4: Drive Adoption & Utilization (Govt Levers, Grants, Marketing Examples)
• [11:42] - Q: Messages for Countries in Early Stage of DPI Adoption?
• [13:01] - Q: Please Share More About IMDA’s Journey
• [14:51] - Q: What are some Challenges Faced During Your DPI Journey?
• [17:37] - Q: What are some Emerging Spaces IMDA is Looking at for Future?
• [18:50] - Closing Remarks