Singapore takes biomedical science as one of the country's growth engines, Minister for Community, Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan said Sunday night at an event on science.

"As a small country, we will have to focus our resources on niche areas of economic importance where we can be internationally competitive. The biomedical science or life sciences is one such niche area," the minister said.

Noting challenges posed by countries like India, Thailand and the United States in terms of healthcare services and professional achievements, Balakrishnan pointed out that Singapore must pursue excellence in medical research.

He added that high-end manufacturing operations and entrepreneurial activities would also be attracted to locations of research excellence and innovation so as to form a cycle between healthcare manufacturing and services.

The minister urged clinicians in Singapore to participate in clinical trials and collaborate with scientists in research institutes, which will help convert the potential of upstream research into clinical applications and keep healthcare practices up-to-date.