THE Mumbai terrorist attacks this week are a firm reminder of the important role the security industry plays in protecting Singapore's position as an investment location, NTUC deputy secretary-general Heng Chee How said last night.

Security and confidence are key elements to a country's well-being and prospects, he told some 550 members and guests at a dinner marking the 30th anniversary of the Union of Security Employees (USE).

'Investors are wary to put money, especially long-term big money, into places where risks of all kinds are high - if their factories get burnt or looted, if there is no industrial peace, if they cannot import materials or export goods smoothly and their people cannot move because the logistics or transport system has broken down, or if the currency risks are too high and so on,' he said.

Mr Heng, who is also Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, said the union and its members should be proud of their contribution to making Singapore competitive and attractive as an investment location.

His words struck a chord with USE president N. Silva: 'This is why the union has always encouraged members to go for training and re-training to upgrade their skills. We know we must be alert all the time, and not take anything for granted.'

In his speech, Mr Heng also commended the union, which has about 5,200 members, for promoting skills upgrading, job re-creation and best-sourcing practices.

'You have uplifted the earnings and employability of your members and given hope to many other sectors that they, too, can do the same,' he said.

Read the full story in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times.