1 November 2010

Kikkoman Donates S$1 Million for the Development of Kingfisher Lake in Gardens by the Bay

Kikkoman Singapore, the local manufacturing facility of Japan-based soy sauce manufacturer Kikkoman Corporation, today announced a S$1 million sponsorship for the enhancement of Kingfisher Lake . one of the key features in the upcoming Gardens by the Bay.

The S$1 million sponsorship marks Kikkoman Singapore's 25th anniversary celebrations.
A symbolic cheque presentation to the Garden City Fund took place today during the groundbreaking ceremony of Kingfisher Lake, which was officiated by Singapore's Minister for National Development, Mr Mah Bow Tan.

The donation will be channelled to the enhancement of Kingfisher Lake, particularly the upper and lower levels of the Lake and water features such as the Victoria Lily Pool, Spring Water Feature, The Streams, and Boulder Cascade.

Kingfisher Lake is one of two main lakes in Gardens by the Bay. As part of the Gardens. efforts to promote horticultural excellence and a sustainable ecosystem, it plays an important role in capturing run-off from within the Gardens and acts as an .eco-filter.. Apart from contributing to the aesthetic appeal of the Gardens, it raises awareness of the value that aquatic plants play in Nature, and highlights the significance of clean water in sustaining biodiversity. (Please refer to the factsheet on Kingfisher Lake for more details.)

Dr Kiat W. Tan, Chief Executive Officer, Gardens by the Bay, said, The vision for our Gardens by the Bay has always been to be a Garden for all Singaporeans and their friends . a national icon that Singaporeans can embrace and share ownership in. We are very grateful to Kikkoman for their generous contribution to the enhancement of the Kingfisher Lake, and we hope this enlightened support will encourage more corporations to come forward and help us make Gardens by the Bay the most amazing and wonderful garden it can be.

Gardens by the Bay will provide Singaporeans a new dimension in city living, right in the heart of Singapore's new Downtown. Setting a new standard in the way gardens are developed and managed, it will become Singapore's premier urban outdoor recreation space at Marina Bay, a national icon and a source of pride for all Singaporeans. The sponsorship announced today contributes to this vision and is in line with Kikkoman Singapore's corporate social responsibility policy, which upholds values such as improving society and protecting the environment.

Yuzaburo Mogi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kikkoman Corporation, said:

Kikkoman Singapore is pleased to donate S$1 million for developing Kingfisher Lake in Gardens by the Bay. I think the lake will send a strong message about the significance of clean water and biodiversity to the millions of people who will visit every year. One of the Kikkoman Group's policies is to contribute to society as a good corporate citizen. Our donation for Kingfisher Lake is one way of fulfilling that responsibility. This sponsorship is our token of appreciation for the 25 successful years of business that we have enjoyed in Singapore.

Kikkoman Singapore started celebrating its anniversaries in 1990. That year, it celebrated its 5th anniversary by making a generous donation to the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. In 1995, it celebrated its 10th anniversary with a concert performance by Dick Lee and Sandy Lam at the Singapore Harbour Front concert hall. In 2000, the company demonstrated its support of local performers by engaging four singers (Tanya Chua, Kit Chan, Jacintha Abisheganaden and Wendy Koh) to perform at the NUS Arts Centre and also made donation to President's Star Charity 2000. Five years ago, Kikkoman Singapore marked its 20th anniversary by establishing a research and development laboratory (Kikkoman's first in Asia outside Japan) to develop new products for Asia.

About Kikkoman Corporation
Kikkoman Corporation was incorporated in 1917 in Noda, Japan. Originally a combination of eight family-owned companies that had been producing soy sauce in Noda since the 17th century, Kikkoman is today the world's leading manufacturer of soy sauce. The company provides a comprehensive range of foodstuffs, fine wines, and superb dining. The Kikkoman label has grown to be recognized as a global trademark for quality food products.

About National Parks Board
National Parks Board (NParks) is responsible for providing and enhancing the greenery of the Garden City. Beyond green infrastructure, NParks is committed to enhancing the quality of life through creating memorable recreational experiences and lifestyles.
NParks manages 10% of Singapore's total land area which comprises over 50 major parks and 4 nature reserves. Adding to this is the extensive streetscape, or roadside greenery, that forms the backbone of our City in a Garden. An island-wide Park Connector Network is also being developed to link major parks and residential areas.

As Singapore's scientific authority on nature conservation, NParks monitors and coordinates measures to ensure the health of Singapore's biodiversity. This supports the overall thrust of our urban conservation model, which aims to conserve representative eco-systems in land-scarce Singapore for future generations.

NParks is also the lead agency in the efforts to continually upgrade the Landscape Industry in Singapore. It works closely with industry partners to promote good work practices and create a thriving, innovative and professional industry that will support Singapore.s aspirations of being a City in the Garden.

For more information, log on to www.nparks.gov.sg

About Gardens by the Bay
Gardens by the Bay will occupy 101 hectares of prime land by the water at the heart of Singapore's new downtown at Marina Bay. Gardens by the Bay will be an integral part of Singapore's City in a Garden vision, a whole country geared to nurture flora and greenery. It will capture the essence of Singapore as the premier tropical city with an ideal environment in which to live, work and play.

For more information, visit www.gardensbythebay.org.sg