SINGAPORE - The Singapore Botanic Gardens, the nation's first Unesco World Heritage Site, has received about $350,000 from a fundraising dinner organised by property developer City Developments.

The money will go to the Garden City Fund, a registered charity under the National Parks Board (NParks).

This was done in celebration of the 156-year-old Gardens' successful inscription in July at the 39th World Heritage Committee session in Bonn, Germany.

Mr Lawrence Wong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, was guest of honour at the dinner on Thursday (Sept 17) held at St Regis Singapore.

At the dinner, a photo art book called Embrace, which features images of the Gardens taken by City Developments' deputy chairman Kwek Leng Joo, was also launched.

The Gardens has also received contributions from other companies since its inscription, said NParks.

They include global shipping firm BW Group, which donated a bronze and stainless steel sculpture called Fifty Wings. This adds to the Gardens' collection of more than 20 donated art pieces.

The Gardens also credited Sembcorp Industries for sponsoring its Jubilee weekend festivities.

Professor Leo Tan, chairman of the Garden City Fund, said: "Corporate organisations have lent their strong support to a number of initiatives that will go a long way in educating visitors on the Singapore Botanic Gardens' rich historical and cultural heritage."