The world we live in is now closer than ever - how can Singapore keep pace with global trends to remain a beacon of hope for the region? We interviewed a group of passionate young professionals to get their views on whether it is important...
It is vital to equip our people and future generations with the intellect and spirit of global citizenship for them to think of the social impacts and changes they will be able to create for the wider international community. How do our future generation hope...
March 2017 | Many of you have shared concerns over the last months about the state of Singapore’s relations with China. This was symbolized by the seizure of the SAF’s Terrex vehicles but driven by other and deeper issues, especially comments on the South China Sea....
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is celebrating its jubilee anniversary at a time where anti-globalisation sentiments are on the rise. As countries become more inward looking and aim to prioritise domestic issues, the relevance of multilateral organisations such as ASEAN has been called...
By Nicholas Fang and Aaron Choo At the start of his Budget speech, Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat warned that an “inward- looking mood” had taken root in several countries, echoing what the Committee on the Future Economy (CFE) report called a “dark shift” away from...
SIIA Executive Director Nicholas Fang was quoted in the Nikkei Asian Review in an article by Peter Guest on the recent report by the Committee on the Future Economy. An excerpt is below. The full article is available on Nikkei Asian Review. "There seems to be...
By Chia Siow Yue In Singapore, the Committee on the Future Economy (CFE) Report has been released. It recommends strategies to respond to external challenges such as subdued global growth, rapid technological change, political uncertainty and rising anti-globalisation. Despite these disruptive developments, the CFE argues Singapore...
The Jakarta gubernatorial election has been dominating headlines with the incumbent Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (better known as Ahok) being accused of blasphemy. This election has become more than just a race for the governor's office, with wider implications for Indonesia's religious freedom, transparency, and democracy. To...
February 2017 | A number of members have asked me to share perspectives on the 2017 outlook. In an early October 2016 interview, I said we should be preparing for a Trump presidency. But crystal ball gazing is always challenging and has been especially difficult in...
Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) form the backbone of key South East Asian economies, accounting for the majority of total employment and an integral source of economic growth. As the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) gains momentum, the harmonisation of rules and procedures can help SMEs...