SM Goh says Singapore needs new identity to stay ahead

Asha Popatlal, Channel NewsAsia 5 Nov 09;

SINGAPORE : Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said Singapore needs to be one of the most liveable cities - not just in Asia, but globally - and one that goes beyond being clean, green and safe.

Mr Goh shared this new vision of Singapore over the next 25 years at the 50th anniversary of the Real Estate Developers' Association of Singapore (REDAS) on Thursday.

Singapore has come a long way. But as other new cities erode the island's competitive advantages, Mr Goh said Singapore needs a new identity - a vibrant place with soul that embraces both talents and ideas.

"Singapore must therefore project a new identity - one that captivates the eyes, moves the heart, stirs the soul and inspires the mind," said SM Goh.

Painting a picture of what he called a "Distinctive City", Mr Goh sees Singapore as both a convenient, compact city as well as an aesthetically-pleasing city with gardens and water spaces.

Moving on, Mr Goh also sees the country as one big on economic ideas but small in its environmental footprint.

Still, it is the quality of its people that is crucial, and more important now than at any other time in the past 50 years, said Mr Goh.

There are some 100 000 tourists in Singapore on any given day, and more than half a million foreigners live and work here. This means each must go the extra mile if all are to live in harmony.

"But let me add a caveat here. Those who come to drink from the oasis must add to our ability to replenish the water, and not just consume and deplete the stock. By this I mean that we must manage the inflow of talent and new immigrants to ensure that Singaporeans do not lose out and in fact benefit from their presence,” said Mr Goh.

However, there can be no harmony if Singapore prices itself out and the city is no longer affordable, either in terms of rentals for businesses or homes for people.

SM Goh said: "For those who are worried over the recent price increases, MND (Ministry of National Development) tells me there is adequate supply of homes in the pipeline, both in the central region as well as outside it.

"The government is also committed to releasing more land through the Government Land Sales Programme to ensure that property prices do not fall out of sync with economic fundamentals."

Mr Goh added that the government will continue to ensure that public housing remains affordable and continue to factor in the increasing demand from permanent residents in the resale market. - CNA /ls

Replenish, redefine the oasis
Inflow of migrants must be managed to ensure S'poreans don't lose out: SM Goh
Asha Popatlal Today Online 6 Nov 09;

SINGAPORE - On any given day, some 100,000 tourists are in Singapore, while more than half a million foreigners live and work here. Everyone must go the extra mile if this is to be "an oasis of harmony", said Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.

"But let me add a caveat here. Those who come to drink from the oasis must add to our ability to replenish the water, and not just consume and deplete the stock.

"By this I mean that we must manage the inflow of talent and new immigrants to ensure that Singaporeans do not lose out and in fact benefit from their presence."

Speaking at the 50th anniversary of the Real Estate Developers' Association of Singapore last night, Mr Goh spoke about Singapore's need to be one the most liveable cities in the world, which would require a new identity - beyond that of being "clean, green and safe".

"If Singapore cannot differentiate itself as an outstanding city, we cannot sustain our high quality of life," he said.

Pro-business policies, connectivity, low tax rates, family-friendly environment - these have been the Republic's competitive advantages in drawing talent and investments. But not for much longer, for this edge is "fast being eroded as other cities start to acquire similar attributes".

"Singapore must, therefore, project a new identity, one that captivates the eyes, moves the heart, stirs the soul and inspires the mind.

"To stand out, Singapore must go beyond being clean, green and safe. It must be a vibrant place which boldly embraces talents and ideas.

"Most importantly, it must hold special meaning as Home for its citizens, both here and abroad," said Mr Goh.

His vision of a distinctive Singapore encompasses a convenient, compact and aesthetically-pleasing city with gardens and water spaces, marrying environmental sustainability with economic vibrancy.

"Singapore can be a city big on economic ideas but small on environmental footprint," he said, such as by making public transport the choice mode.

But "even as we aspire to benchmark ourselves against the best, we must not price ourselves out" - whether in terms of business rentals or homes for people.

To those worried over recent price hikes, he assured, an adequate supply of homes is in the pipeline while the Government is releasing more land to "ensure that property prices do not fall out of sync with economic fundamentals".

It will also continue to factor in growing demand from permanent residents in the resale market.

SM wants distinctive Singapore with affordable property
Even as it competes with the best, it must not price itself out of the market
Emilyn Yap Business Times 6 Nov 09;

(SINGAPORE) Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong yesterday painted his vision of Singapore as a vibrant, green and harmonious city for the next 25 years. He also underlined the importance of keeping property prices reasonable to achieve this dream.

Rents for businesses have to be competitive with those in other financial hubs such as Hong Kong and London, he said. And to offer companies more flexibility, Singapore must also have not just Grade A offices in the central business district but also cheaper space at the fringe of the city centre.

'My vision for Singapore is for it to be 'a distinctive city, a harmonious home',' Mr Goh said at a gala dinner commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Real Estate Developers' Association of Singapore (Redas).

Singapore has progressed rapidly, transforming from a poor country with crumbling houses to a vibrant city with iconic buildings, he said.

But he emphasised that with globalisation, Singapore needs to benchmark itself against the best in the world and become one of the most liveable cities. Its competitive advantages in drawing talent and investments - such as its pro-business policies and clean environment - are quickly being eroded as other cities adopt similar strategies.

Mr Goh said Singapore can be distinctive by offering 'the liveability of a garden city and the conveniences of a compact city'.

At the same time, Singapore can be economically vibrant yet environmentally sustainable, he said. It can build a resource-efficient economy, rely more on public transport and have more Green Mark-certified buildings.

Locals and foreigners living and working here must also get along, Mr Goh said. Locals must accommodate the different habits and beliefs of foreigners, while foreigners must respect local ways and try to integrate. This way, Singapore will be 'an oasis of harmony with a rich diversity of people, culture and ideas'.

But the country must manage the inflow of talent and immigrants to ensure Singaporeans do not lose out and that they benefit from the presence of newcomers, he said.

'Even as we aspire to benchmark ourselves against the best, we must not price ourselves out. Therefore, we must ensure that we remain a competitive location for businesses, and that Singaporeans can own their own homes,' he added.

Mr Goh reassured Singaporeans that the government will keep public housing affordable for the vast majority.

'We will also continue to factor in increasing demand from permanent residents in the resale market,' he said.

'For those who are worried over recent price increases, MND (Ministry of National Development) tells me there is an adequate supply of homes in the pipeline both in the central region as well as outside it.'

Mr Goh said the authorities are committed to releasing more land through the Government Land Sales Programme, so that property prices stay in line with economic fundamentals.

At the dinner, Redas president Simon Cheong spoke about the importance of building 'design-led cities'. 'Individual buildings can economically uplift an entire city,' he said.

'Buildings are not just profit opportunities...Developers, as patrons of design, together with the Urban Redevelopment Authority and Building & Construction Authority, wield tremendous power in influencing how Singapore will strive on the world stage.'

Inflow of foreigners 'must benefit citizens'
SM: There must be accommodation by all
Francis Chan Straits Times 6 Nov 09;

SINGAPORE must manage the inflow of foreign talent and other immigrants to ensure Singaporeans do not lose out but rather benefit from their presence, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said yesterday.

He said the Republic, which is already a cultural melting pot, will become even more diverse in the years to come.

'Locals must accommodate the different habits, beliefs and practices of foreigners, and foreigners working and living here must respect local ways and habits and make an effort to integrate,' he said.

'Then, Singapore will be an oasis of harmony with a rich diversity of people, culture and ideas.'

Foreigners living and working here, however, must contribute to Singapore, said Mr Goh.

'Those who come to drink from the oasis must add to our ability to replenish the water, and not just consume and deplete the stock,' he said.

'By this I mean that we must manage the inflow of talent and new immigrants to ensure that Singaporeans do not lose out and in fact benefit from their presence. Only then can we create a harmonious, cosmopolitan society.'

Mr Goh was speaking as the guest of honour at the gala dinner to mark the 50th anniversary of the Real Estate Developers' Association of Singapore (Redas), held at the Shangri-La Hotel.

He was outlining his vision for Singapore over the next 25 to 50 years, as the nation competes with other emerging cities which are acquiring similar attributes.

'To stand out among cities and countries, Singapore must go beyond being clean, green and safe,' said Mr Goh.

'It must be a vibrant place which boldly embraces talents and ideas and most importantly, it must hold special meaning as home for its citizens.'

He added that to remain a leading global city, Singapore could offer both the liveability of a garden city and the conveniences of a compact city.

'More than just an aesthetically pleasing city with striking architecture, we can transform Singapore into a delightful city of gardens and water, with green and blue spaces integrated within the places where we live, work and play,' he said.

The Republic could also be a green hub, originating and exporting future technologies that can make high density living even more eco-friendly such as making the use of public transport more pervasive and getting 80 per cent or more buildings certified with the Green Mark.

While sharing his vision for Singapore to be 'A Distinctive City, A Harmonious Home' at the event yesterday, Mr Goh also took time to assure Singaporeans that homes will remain affordable.

He said that there can be no harmony if home prices are beyond the reach of Singaporeans.

'Even as we aspire to benchmark ourselves against the best, we must not price ourselves out,' said Mr Goh.

'Therefore, we must ensure that we remain a competitive location for businesses, and that Singaporeans can own their own homes.'

He said Housing Board (HDB) flats will remain the foundation of the Government's home ownership policy and that the Government will continue to ensure that public housing remains affordable for most Singaporeans.

'The current household income ceiling of $8,000 for public home ownership means that about eight in every 10 families remain eligible for HDB subsidies,' he added.

'I know that with the recent recovery of the property market after the lows of the financial crisis, many Singaporeans are concerned that they will be priced out. This anxiety is understandable.

'But our public housing policy, based on affordability, will ensure that they will be able to. This pledge had been kept in the past and it will be kept in the future.'

Mr Goh also said the Government remains committed to releasing more land through the Government Land Sales Programme to ensure that property prices 'do not fall out of sync with economic fundamentals'.