Annual Cost of GovTech as a Cost Centre and Expected Timeline to Increase Revenue-Generating Capacities

56 Ms He Ting Ru asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (a) in the last three years, what is the total annual cost booked to GovTech as a cost centre; (b) whether there are plans to increase the revenue-generating capacities of GovTech and its associated departments; and (c) if so, what are the key milestones and timelines.

Mrs Josephine Teo (for the Prime Minister): The primary role of GovTech is to harness and develop info-communications technology solutions and capabilities to drive our Digital Government and Smart Nation efforts. From financial year (FY) 2021 to FY2023, GovTech’s average annual expenditure was $1.7 billion, which was less than 2% of total Ministry expenditure.

GovTech is almost fully funded from (a) central grants from the Government and (b) other Government agencies paying for the use of GovTech’s services and products. This is unlikely to change significantly in the near future.