2/09/2013

The attractiveness of Singapore as a production and business centre




Singapore is what it is today not just because of cheap labour. There are many factors that make Singapore a very attractive and business friendly country. Thanks to the Govt, we have a very pro business climate, good infrastructure, good govt rules and regulations, ease of doing business with negligible corruption, transparency, good labour, govt and business relations and a highly educated workforce. English is the common language for govt, business and social activities. The legal system is based on the British model that many developed countries are familiar with. There is hardly any restriction on the transfer of money, ease of transport and communication system, good international connectivity and a very safe and clean and liveable environment. It is so easy to just move in and live in this city. The tax rate is about the lowest in the world.

With so many advantages, even the high cost of living is not too much an issue. We have full employment. There is really no need to create more employment unless the Govt is thinking of increasing the population/workforce which means more jobs are needed. If the population is more or less capped at the present level, even with some leaving, the employment situation is unlikely to be seriously affected. Any company that leaves will likely to be replaced quickly by more productive and higher value added companies. 

The Govt could use this opportunity to restructure the economy, allow the less productive and labour intensive companies to leave. Those that need cheap labour and could not live without them can also leave. Those companies that think they could operate in this city will still come. With our highly educated workforce, the high value added companies would not have problem fitting in to benefit from all the first class facilities and advantages this country is providing. The country should keep upgrading, keep the population at the current level without straining on the infrastructure and resources, and raising the income level of the workforce at the same time.

There is no need to keep relying on cheap labour industries that are not paying well. That is an area that the country has moved away from and should not return to. The jobs and pay they are creating are worthless numbers that we can do without. Whatever residual companies, let them be, and if they are not competitive, let them move to neigbouring countries to tap on their cheaper workforce and infrastructure if they find it difficult to get cheap labour. 

We need to attract good quality companies with high paying jobs for our graduates from the universities and tertiary institutions. Otherwise these graduates will be competing for lower and cheaper jobs with cheaper PMETs with lower quality papers and qualifications. We have world class universities churning out quality graduates not to be cheap labour.

By keeping the population at this level, many of the land and facilities can be improved without straining them and without incurring huge infrastructure development cost. The large reclamation of land and housing may not be necessary or less will be needed. This is also in a way a chicken and egg situation, one feeding on the other.

Singapore is a very attractive place to live and do business without being cheap. We don’t have to sell this country as cheap and good. We are good and very good. Many rich and famous would want to be here and live here. Let’s throw away the mantra of CBF. Lets be expensive and good and high paying. We are already expensive in many ways and the businesses are still coming. We can be selective, not grabbing the cheap and less productive ones. Does this argument make sense?

What do you think?

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is high time for the Government to engage the blogging community for ideas for bringing the state forward and bind the people.
Do away with the high faluting sounding lee kuan yew school of policy studies. Those folks there are collecting their gaji buta and sleeping along with their paymasters.

Netizens give their ideas freely anf without cost, good free ideas and cures for the ailments of our society.

What is the rulers wsiting for?

Anonymous said...

Re bean, I agreed 100%

oldhorse42 said...

What do I think? I think the Govt is working for big business and not for the people!

Anonymous said...

We don't need more foodcourts, more shopping centres, more retail shops, more restaurants and snack shops and the type of jobs they created. No need to waste more land for shopping complexes....If lesser foreign workers, no need Geylang or so many massage shops and bars.

Ⓜatilah $ingapura⚠️ said...

redbean:

>> Lets be expensive and good and high paying.

I don't think there's an alternative. "Expensive" is rather vague. Sure it might cost more to live in Singapore, but look at the benefits and opportunities.

Many would agree that owning a car in Singapore is "expensive". Yet the number of bids for COEs and the amounts paid is trending UPWARDS.

"high paying" -- a no brainer here. To earn more, you have to make what you do worth more. End of story.

"good" -- also vague, but t least measurable. If you're not "good" your customers will go elsewhere and you don't get their money.

Anonymous said...

In short, there is 8-star hotel named 'Singapore'. That being the case, we can invite hundreds of millions of 'visitors' each year to up the annual turnover (i.e.GDP).

Cheers!

rex said...

what do i think?

redbean please be our prime minister or mp. singapore has got talents like you. but all submerged and drowned by the papists.

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