UNDETERRED by economic woes, the government on Monday announced plans to beef up supply of business park space in Jurong 'to position Singapore for the next upturn'.

Industrial landlord JTC Corporation said it will be developing 5 ha of land, south of the existing International Business Park, which will yield 125,000 sq m or about 1.35 million sq ft of business park space.

This will help JTC 'secure investments and anchor key companies' for Singapore, it said.

Site surveys will commence next month and infrastructure works will begin in March, a JTC spokesman told The Straits Times.

Firms can expect land parcels to be ready for leasing from 2011 to 2012, the spokesman added.

To cater to the expansion plans, the road network of the business park will also be improved by creating two road linkages to direct traffic onto the Ayer Rajah Expressway and the Pan Island Expressway.

The roads are also due for completion in 2011 to 2012.

The International Business Park - currently consisting of 21 land parcels of about 25 ha - is Singapore's first business park.

It was established in 1992 and has attracted renowned firms such as Dell and Acer to set up shop here.

JTC said it was timely for it to review the park's masterplan as the Urban Redevelopment Authority had recently announced a dramatic makeover for Jurong.

The sleepy industrial town is set to be redeveloped into Jurong Lake District - a mini metropolis of homes, hotels, shops, eateries and offices linked to the MRT via walkways and waterways.

The 360ha district is the size of Marina Bay and consists of two precincts. The first is the 70ha Jurong Gateway, with new offices and entertainment spots set around the Jurong East MRT station.

The second is Lakeside, which is being developed as a destination for young families, with tourist attractions and parks complemented by water activities, set around the Chinese Garden and Lakeside MRT stations.

JTC said 'there is potential' to create synergy between the expanded business park and the rejuvenated Jurong Gateway - the up-and-coming commercial district of the West.

To complement Jurong's commercial developments, URA also said surrounding housing estates such as Jurong East, Teban and Pandan Gardens, and Faber Terrace and Gaber Hills will also be rejuvenated.

The Housing Board is currently renewing Teban Gardens with upgrading and relocation programmes, while PUB's ABC Water programme at Pandan Reservoir will boost the physical environment of that area.

There are plans to enhance connectivity with the Jurong Lake District and more low and medium-density housing fronting Sungei Ulu Pandan will also be built, said URA.