National Quantum Office's Technology Breakthrough Targets and Strategies

1 Ms He Ting Ru asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (a) whether the National Quantum Office (NQO) has identified specific quantum technologies breakthroughs which Singapore aims to achieve; (b) whether building infrastructure without defining target breakthroughs is NQO's strategy; and (c) what historical precedents support this approach's effectiveness.

Mr Heng Swee Keat (for the Prime Minister): The National Quantum Office has identified specific goals under the National Quantum Strategy (NQS), with resources and efforts directed towards specific quantum areas and technologies accordingly. The National Quantum Processor Initiative, for example, funds projects to develop quantum processor prototypes using promising approaches, such as trapped ions and neutral atom arrays. Another example is the National Quantum Sensor Programme, which funds efforts to develop quantum sensor solutions in remote sensing, biomedical sensing and imaging, and Position, Navigation and Timing.

To complement these directed efforts, the NQS also supports ground-up investigator-led research, capability development through various schemes, such as scholarships for quantum PhD and Master's students, and industry collaborations. The different prongs are part of a broader coordinated approach to build up talent, knowledge and capabilities and position Singapore strategically in this nascent and evolving field.