SINGAPORE - A private sector data portal similar to data.gov.sg, the one-stop venue for a host of free government data sets, will be launched later this year (2017) to help companies seize opportunities in the digital economy.

The upcoming "data sandbox" for the private sector will come under a new Data Innovation Programme Office set up to help companies turn their data into an asset, said Minister of State for Communications and Information Janil Puthucheary.

Like data.gov.sg, the private sector data sandbox will provide a neutral and trusted platform for companies to share data securely, without threatening their individual interests. Unlike data.gov.sg, data sharing has to be negotiated by companies.

Such data could include the schedule of goods deliveries, for better traffic management at malls.

"Many companies lack the awareness of the possibilities," said Dr Janil during the debate on his ministry's budget on Monday (March 6)

The data sandbox will also provide data analytics tools to help companies build expertise in data science by taking a leaf from data.gov.sg, which has gone from being just a site for storing static datasets to one where users can use data visualisations to tell stories.

The data.gov.sg portal also uses open Application Programming Interface (APIs) to allow the public to use the data to create useful apps.