By Fiona Chan

COMPANIES should 'look beyond the immediate downturn' and plan for the recovery that will come after, advised Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry S. Iswaran yesterday.

Even within the electronics sector, which has been hit hard by the slowdown in global export demand, 'all industry players believe that beyond the downturn, there'll be a recovery and there'll be growth again'.

Firms must be ready for that with measures including retaining and upgrading their staff, said Mr Iswaran. He spoke at the official opening of semiconductor maker Marvell's new building, where he was guest of honour.

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