DBS commits additional S$12m to Marina Bay

Singapore

DBS Bank has ramped up its commitment to Marina Bay, with a pledge of S$12 million over three years to further boost activities in the area.

This is on top of its commitment of S$10 million over three years in 2013, when the bank first introduced a series of activities to attract members of the public to the financial hub. Programmes included monthly open air movie screenings, charity family runs, and the DBS Marina Regatta - touted as Singapore's biggest watersports festival featuring international dragon boat races.

This year's regatta will take place over three weekends from May 30 to June 14, coinciding with the 28th SEA Games' traditional boat and sailing races, which will also be held at the Bay.

DBS will also be expanding one of its most popular activities, the monthly Marina Bay Sailing Programme. Launched in 2013 and held on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month, the programme will now see six Swedish Match 40 sailboats imported from Europe - bringing its fleet to a total of 14 vessels.

These new boats are the same as the ones used in professional training and racing, in competitions such as America's Cup - the oldest and one of the most prestigious international yachting competitions.

Karen Ngui, managing director and head of group strategic marketing and communications, said: "With the enhanced programme, Singaporeans will be able to take the wheel and steer these vessels through the heart of the Marina Bay for the first time - all for free. It's an exclusive and unique experience that we want to make available to anyone and everyone."

Since its launch, more than 7,500 people have participated in the programme. With the addition of the six boats this July, DBS estimates close to 20,000 people will be able to sail in the Bay each year.

In addition to the existing initiatives, the bank is also looking to introduce new experiences to attract even more people to the area, although they have yet to be officially announced.

"Many of us do not realise that the Marina Bay area and where DBS' headquarters is located today is on land that simply used to be open sea. Marina Bay is an amazing metaphor for how Singapore has transformed within one generation. It represents the Singapore spirit - what we have achieved and what we can achieve together in the future," said Ms Ngui.

"When we made our commitment to enlivening the Bay in 2013, we set out to bring community programmes to the public that would encourage them to see and experience all the Bay has to offer," Ms Ngui added. "It's been an exciting and invigorating three years, and with our increased S$12 million commitment for the next three years, we look forward to sparking more joyful experiences."