ESPRAT + G

Primarily Singapore’s focus is on financial and banking system. First, generally people in Singapore are well educated. Thus, they are skewed towards working white collar jobs rather than blue collar jobs. White collar jobs pay well thus most of the people could sustain the increasing cost of living and enjoy reasonable living conditions. 

Furthermore, the scarcity of land (about 600 sqm), the high land costs and labour costs are not attractive for other types of industries to nestle in Singapore. In particular, manufacturing industries are not in favor of setting up plants in Singapore. However, they are willing to establish their regional office or their research centre in Singapore due to the well educated and qualified people available.

The social system is based on multi-ethnic tolerance to each other’s race and religions. There are generally 3 main ethnic groups, namely: Chinese (75%), Malay (14%) and Indians (7%). The remaining 4% comprises of others. The different ethnic groups live in harmony and provide a diversity of culture. This diversity of these cultures emanate numerous delicious dishes from these ethnic groups. Its small wonder that many people label Singapore as a food paradise.  

The controlling party, People’s Action Party (PAP), has been in power since 1959. Mr Lee Kuan Yew was the Prime Minister at the “tender” age of 35 in 1959, till he stepped down in 1989 to become the Senior Minister. Mr Lee had ensured political stability for many years and had set out a solid foundation for stability and transition of political changes within the PAP, to ensure continuity of the PAP members to lead Singapore to greater heights. 

Though, a handful of opposition candidates had won seats in the parliament over 5 decades, none of the opposition parties have really posed a challenge to the one and only ruling party, the PAP. The present Prime Minister of Singapore is Mr Lee Hsien Loong, the son of the elder Mr Lee. 

Singapore is basically not rich in Arts, although the government is pushing hard to inculcate the Arts activities into the people, initiating schemes through the school system. The Art scene in Singapore generally follows the 3 ethnic backgrounds’ cultural festivals.

The 3 main cultural festivals are Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Puasa (celebrated by the Muslims) and Deepavali (celebrated by the Indians). Due to excessive western influence, Christmas is “celebrated” by all Singaporeans, more as a public holiday to have leisure and entertainment.

Singapore’s National Day falling on 9 Aug each year is also grandly celebrated by all Singaporeans and is the pride and joy of the PAP government to showcase their achievements and effort in developing Singapore to where it is now. 

Technologically, Singapore is very advance in many aspects. Whether its computer programs or mobile phones or research & biotechnology. With high purchasing power, Singaporeans could easily afford technologically advanced products. The government had spent billions on R&D, and will spend many more billions on such high-tech industries as people are the only valuable resource in Singapore. 

Geographically, Singapore is well positioned for transshipment of vessels within the S.E.Asia region. Also, the Singapore airport sits in an ideally suitable location to not only serve the lesser developed S.E.Asia countries, but also the Oceanic region comprising of Australia and New Zealand. The sea port and airport is a gateway for Singapore’s thriving economy.

The ideal location of the ports serve Singapore well in terms of economic advantages. The well developed infrastructure such as the ports, the financial & banking system and political stability provides the almost perfect ammunition for Singapore to be economically strong even in bad times.  A good portion of Singapore’s GDP is contributed from the revenues obtained from these ports’ operations and the finance sector. Singapore has reserves of approximately USD 300 billion, which many of her neighbors cannot boast about.  

The Arts scene is developing in Singapore. Historically, Thailand and Malaysia has greater depth in History and Arts. Singapore’s Arts is sometimes influenced by the Western society. Originality lacks in the Arts scene as some of the Arts activities are copies from other parts of the world. This has also to do with the multi-cultural and multi-religious society that Singapore has been coined traditionally.   

As we are all Asians and proud of our Asian cultures and show deep respect for each other’s culture, the social environment within the region is sound and stable. There are no major social problems that could have a forceful effect on Singapore, though emotional sentiments evolve from time to time within the neighboring countries.  

The government is in good stead when negotiating deals with the neighboring countries because of the ideal geographical position of Singapore. Politically, this will be an advantage. The political stability of the neighboring countries does have an impact on the political situation in Singapore.  However, the political strength of the incumbent party (PAP) has continuously ensured political stability regardless of political turmoils in the neighboring countries.

Singapore is surrounded by Muslim countries namely Indonesia, West Malaysia and East Malaysia. To a certain extent, Singapore is in a similar situation as Israel in the Middle East, but not in the same league in terms of conflicts and attacks.

Technologically, Singapore is way ahead of her geographical neighbors. Singapore usually has the latest 21st Century cutting edge technologies. The neighbors tend to take the cue from Singapore in many technological aspects.