Singapore ambassador tours NCRC

Chan Heng Chee, Singapore's ambassador to the United States, tours the core lab with Dr. Michael Luther, president of the David H. Murdock Research Institute, in Kannapolis. Photo by Emily Ford

U.S. Rep. Larry Kissell and Chan Heng Chee, Singapore's ambassador to the United States, listen as Dr. Kevin Knagge describes the operation of the NMR laboratory in the basement of the David H. Murdock Research Institute at the N.C. Research Campus. Photo by Emily Ford

Chan Heng Chee, Singapore's ambassador to the United States (center), laughs with her assistants and Castle and Cooke officials Lynne Scott Safrit and Clyde Higgs in the atrium of the David H. Murdock Research Institute. Photo by Emily Ford

By Emily Ford

eford@salisburypost.com

KANNAPOLIS — After touring the N.C. Research Campus, Singapore’s ambassador to the United States said she would encourage companies to consider Kannapolis as they expand globally.

Chan Heng Chee said Tuesday she saw several opportunities for collaboration while visiting the life sciences hub in downtown Kannapolis as the guest of U.S. Rep. Larry Kissell (D-NC).

“This expands our knowledge of what’s available and potential interests and partnerships,” she said. “I will tell people at the Biopolis that I’ve been there.”

The Singapore government built Biopolis, a high-tech research park recognized as a leader in biomedical sciences.

The ambassador’s visit was the third of Kissell’s “reverse trade missions” and included stops at Fort Bragg and two green energy small businesses, SBM Solar in Concord and Vision Motor Cars in Charlotte.

The events bring international representatives and business leaders to North Carolina to help spur the local economy.

“At some point in time, we hope something clicks,” he said.

The ambassador for the Republic of Zambia visited Cabarrus County last month as the Zambian government works with Kissell’s office to purchase mobile hospital trailers manufactured by Golden Gait Trailers of Concord.

Kissell said he’s also working to secure a second $1 million federal earmark for the new USDA Human Nutrition Research Center in Kannapolis, which is expected to open this month.

The request cleared the appropriations committee, a major hurdle. The earmark stands a good chance of becoming a regular line item in the president’s budget, Kissell said.

“The second year is important for earmarks,” he said.

The USDA center is the first of its kind in the Southeast.

Local officials and campus developers greeted the Singapore ambassador, including economic development leaders from Cabarrus County and Lynne Scott Safrit, president of campus developer Castle & Cooke.

David Murdock owns Castle & Cooke and Dole Food Co. He founded the Research Campus in 2006 to find answers to complex biological questions, including how to grow more nutritious food.

Chan listened intently as Dr. Michael Luther, president of the Murdock Research Institute, and Dr. Wei Jia, co-director for the University of North Carolina at Greensboro’s institute in Kannapolis, described research capabilities at the campus.

She discussed Singapore’s increasing interest in traditional Chinese medicine as an alternative, and cheaper, treatment for cancer and other ailments.

“That’s exciting,” said Jia, who was recruited two years ago by the Research Campus from one of the top universities in China and specializes in understanding how medicinal herbs can change human health.

Developers urged Chan to share her experience with universities and companies when she returns to Singapore.

“Think about Kannapolis, not New York, not California, not Chicago,” said Clyde Higgs, Castle & Cooke vice president for business development. “Think about Kannapolis.”

Contact Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.