Integrate foreign talents into Singapore society: DPM Wong

Yesterday in Parliament, Business Times 28 Feb 08;

SINGAPORE must push on with its efforts to attract global talents, but it must also pay equal attention to integrating them into the local society, according to Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng.

'Locals alone are not enough to meet our manpower demands,' he told Parliament yesterday during the debate on the budget for the Prime Minister's Office. 'Contrary to Inderjit Singh's (Ang Mo Kio) suggestion that the rate of immigration is too fast and unrealistic, we must not slow down in attracting global talent just because some people feel uneasy about it.'

Mr Wong said the war for talent is now global - and very intense. 'Whether we like it or not, those who are capable and talented will go to places with better opportunities and where they feel welcomed,' he said. 'And if Singapore does not welcome them, they will simply look elsewhere and they will then compete against us.'

Having a good living environment is key in drawing global talent - and Singapore has so far done well in this department, Mr Wong said.

'Singapore's excellent living environment has become our competitive advantage to root residents and attract investments and talents,' he said.

Many developed countries, while competing aggressively for global talents, are not doing enough to integrate them.

'This has resulted in clashes and disputes between communities in countries such as Australia, France and even the US,' Mr Wong noted. 'Such problems can also arise in Singapore if we do not make the effort to integrate our immigrants,' he cautioned.

'Open your hearts': Singaporeans urged to welcome new immigrants as numbers hit new high
Tan Hui Leng, Today Online 28 Feb 08;

SINGAPORE welcomed 63,600 Permanent Residents (PRs) and 17,300 new citizens last year — in total, nearly 15,000 more than the average combined number of PRs and new citizenships granted each year since immigration criteria were broadened in 2004.

By comparison, just 760 more babies were born last year than the year before, a figure "far" from raising Singapore's total fertility rate to replacement level.

As such, said Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng in rebutting suggestions that the rate of immigration was too fast and unrealistic, depending on homegrown citizens to meet our manpower needs was not enough.

Case in point: Last year, when 236,000 jobs were created, many companies, such as those in finance and business, had to turn to foreigners to meet the shortfall even as locals filled most of the jobs.

"A number of business and investment opportunities have passed us by, simply because we are facing such an acute shortage of manpower and office space. Once lost, these businesses and opportunities may not come back," said Mr Wong.

He was responding to concerns raised by seven parliamentarians about the influx of immigrants and the problems of integration.

On worries about whether the country could cope with a larger population, Mr Wong clarified that contrary to popular belief, there was no 6.5 million "population target" — this figure was a planning parameter.

He added the assurance that with "creative planning and technology", the island could accommodate larger numbers "without compromising the quality of our living environment".

But even as he stressed that Singaporeans must remain the core of the population — unlike some Middle Eastern countries where non-resident foreigners outnumber the indigenous residents — Mr Wong urged Singaporeans to open their "doors, minds and hearts" to new immigrants, who are key to the country's long-term prosperity.

With the intense global competition, he noted: "Whether we like it or not, those who are capable and talented will go to places with better opportunities and where they feel welcomed.

"If Singapore does not welcome them, they will simply look elsewhere and they will then compete against us."

Former Malaysian and new Singaporean Maria Chin, who has been living here since 2001, has generally had no problems fitting in. Nevertheless, she told Today, some Singaporeans have voiced their disdain for foreigners to her, not knowing she was an immigrant.

"They seem to think that foreigners are taking away their jobs and that they have a motive for joining grassroots work," said the 44-year-old purchasing officer who is herself the assistant treasurer of a Residents' Committee in Sembawang.

There are some 900 PRs who volunteer as grassroots leaders islandwide — many, like Mdm Chin, who interact with new immigrants and encourage them to embrace the local culture and community.

But Mr Wong acknowledged that integration would take time, even as it should be encouraged "in schools, at the workplace, in the neighbourhood and the larger community".

Steps are already being taken. The Education Ministry recently set up a unit to enhance the integration process in schools. Accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers has been cited for programmes to familiarise foreign staff with the local culture.

And the People's Association will soon introduce a host family programme, where foreigners are paired with local families.

The Government is also not neglecting overseas Singaporeans. Following the success of the inaugural Singapore Day in New York last April, at which 6,000 Singaporeans turned up, the second such event will be held in Melbourne this October.

DPM Wong Kan Seng says S'pore attracting more new PRs, citizens
Channel NewsAsia 27 Feb 08;

SINGAPORE: Singapore has been increasingly attracting new citizens and permanent residents (PRs), who help sustain the country's economic growth.

Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng said local Singaporeans alone are still not sufficient to meet the manpower demands here.

He revealed the latest immigration statistics during the debate on the Prime Minister's Office budget on Wednesday.

According to the figures, more foreigners have decided to call Singapore home for good.

Last year, Singapore saw over 63,000 new PRs, an 11-per-cent increase from 2006; and the city-state also welcomed more than 17,000 new citizens, a 30-per-cent jump.

Mr Wong said, however, there were only 760 more babies born last year compared to 2006.

He added that Singapore must continue to keep an open-door policy, both to new immigrants and foreign talents, although citizens remain the core of the population.

"For now, Singapore is a talent magnet for many. However, the global competition for talent is intense. Whether we like it or not, those who are capable and talented will be drawn to places with better opportunities and where they feel welcomed. And if Singapore does not welcome them, they will simply look elsewhere and they will then compete against us," said Mr Wong.

On integrating new citizens into the society, the minister cited some who have adapted to Singapore and are contributing to the city-state.

One of them is Kim Jin Ju from South Korea, a prefect at Yu Neng Primary. She participated in MediaCorp's Roving DV competition in 2006 and her school's entry came in first.

While he acknowledged MPs' concerns over the pace of immigration and social integration, Mr Wong said attracting immigrants will remain a key strategy to ensure the country's long-term growth and prosperity.

"So let us open our doors, minds and our hearts. We must work together, be welcoming to new immigrants and help integrate them into our community. There is a need for mutual acceptance, adjustment and respect. We can then live as one harmonious family to create even greater possibilities for ourselves, and our children and our future generations to come," Mr Wong said.

He also said schools, companies and the People's Association have implemented programs to help promote integration. But he noted that more can be done to break down barriers and dispel unwarranted biases.

Mr Wong added that Singaporeans based abroad are not forgotten. The government has been trying to engage them actively through events such as the Singapore Day. The inaugural event, held in New York last April, saw some 6,000 attendees.

He said another Singapore Day will be held in Melbourne, Australia this October. - CNA/ac