What key work does Singapore's central bank do? Find out at the new MAS Gallery

From left: Mr Lee Ek Tieng, MD from Nov 1989 to Dec 1997, Mr Michael Wong, MD from Dec 1970 to Feb 1981, DPM Tharman, ESM Goh, Mr JY Pillay, MD from Apr 1985 to Oct 1989, MAS current MD Ravi Menon. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Mr Michael Wong, (right) MD from Dec 1970 to Feb 1981, viewing compilation of photographs at various events from MAS at The MAS Gallery on Feb 16, 2016. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Photo wall showcasing past and current MAS chairmen and managing directors at The MAS Gallery on Feb 16, 2016. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
DPM Tharman viewing the currency notes and coins at The MAS Gallery on Feb 16, 2016. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Mr Shenton Sng, (left) MAS officer, and ESM Goh, viewing compilation of photographs from various events from MAS at The MAS Gallery on Feb 16, 2016. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
ESM Goh Chok Tong, and DPM Tharman, viewing an interactive display on Singapore as an international financial centre at The MAS Gallery on Feb 16, 2016. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

SINGAPORE - The Monetary Authority of Singapore on Tuesday (Feb 16) launched the MAS Gallery, in conjunction with its 45th anniversary, to educate visitors on the many roles that the central bank plays in the Singapore economy and financial sector.

The 480 square metre gallery, located at the ground floor of the MAS Building in Shenton Way, was unveiled by Deputy Prime Minister and MAS chairman Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

Speaking at the event, DPM Tharman paid tribute to staff and pioneers at MAS who had helped to build a credible central bank and a "no nonsense" financial regulator over the past decades.

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Tracing the central bank's development through the years, Mr Tharman said it was able to "manage the tension" between strengthening resilience and liberalising the financial sector.

"We have come out as one of the safest financial systems in the world," he added.

The gallery comprises two sections: Insights@MAS and Reflections@MAS.

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Insights@MAS offers visitors an overview of the function of the central bank, showcasing how it conducts monetary policy, manages the official foreign reserves, issue currency notes and coins, supervises the financial sector, and promotes Singapore as a financial centre.

It also highlights its efforts in raising financial literacy among Singaporeans, and shows how technology and innovation might transform the way financial services are delivered in the future.

Through interactive games, visitors can play policymakers, and adjust monetary policy settings under different scenarios.

Meanwhile, Reflections@MAS focuses on the central bank as an organisation, highlighting its missions and values, as well as its people and leaders.

MAS said admission to the gallery is free and self-guided, it is open on weekdays from 9.30am to 5.30pm, and from 9.30am to 1.30pm on Saturdays for group visits only.

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