What has the sand ban issue affected Singapore?

Articles: The Straits Times(12 May 2007)
-Contractors hit sand ban to get help

Not too long ago, Indonesia imposed a sand ban on Singapore, claiming that the exportation of sand to Singapore has indirectly affected its environment. This sand ban on Singapore has caused much problems for Singapore as alternative sources for sand, such as China, Vietnam and Myanmar, has to be found and the costs of importing sand from other areas are more costly as well. However, this issue has also showcased Singapore’s side of being able to deal with problems efficiently and pragmatically.

New sources of sand have been founded and even a new form of concrete, the NewConcrete, has been invented as a more cost-efficient substitute for sand and granite, hence reducing the reliance of Singapore on these natural resources. Through the usage of the NewConcrete, a solution could be found faster should another similar issue occur.

The sand ban has also caused the cost of development projects to rise greatly as much sand and granite are used in construction. The government has also acted on this area, calling for contractors and developers to share the costs of the rising prices. These steps the government had taken has allowed for the construction industry in Singapore to carry on without much impact and hence accounting for the pragmatism and efficiency for Singapore’s government.

This issue has also taught me one thing- being a small country and having little natural resources, Singapore is easily affected by external factors (sand ban being one of them). Therefore, a strong and reliable government is necessary for handling such issues efficiently and pragmatically. Without a strong government, Singapore’s construction industry could have already succumbed to the effects of the sand ban.