The next big thing for Singapore?

Business Times 23 Aug 10;

After the IRs and the F1 race, and now the YOG, what should be the 'next big thing' for Singapore? How would you propose to raise the excitement level here and overseas, and improve the quality of life in Singapore?

Kowshik Sriman
Managing Director
SAP Singapore

SINGAPORE already has in place world class infrastructure and first world facilities. To me, hosting major events here like Formula 1 racing and Youth Olympic Games is a natural progression in the nation's growth and modernisation. These events and projects like the integrated resorts no doubt help position Singapore as a contemporary developed and sophisticated city state.

FOR the next big thing, I believe Singapore is ready to cultivate what I deem as 'organic growth'. It is time to focus our resources on existing local shows, events and attractions that already have potential to be global brands.

I'm talking about giving full backing to local institutions - especially organisations that serve educational and conservation purposes like Science Centre Singapore, Singapore Zoological Gardens, Singapore Botanical Gardens and National Museum of Singapore - to help them dream big.

Study global best practices and aim to be not just world class, but world renowned like the Smithsonian Institution, Guggenheim Museum, and other instantly recognisable global names.

With support from the public and private sectors, business owners and professionals, as well as the general public, we can bring in world-class exhibits/shows, fund research, set up foundations, and make these places even more of a breeding ground for creativity and innovation than they already are. This way, we build something uniquely Singapore, something sustainable that the whole nation can be proud of and the world would want to come and experience.

Terry O'Connor
CEO
Courts Asia

THE first thing that springs to mind is a joint bid with Asean neighbours to host the 2026 Fifa World Cup with Singapore as the host city for the Final itself.

The idea of co-hosts is not new as Japan-Korea have shown and by using the four cities of Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Jakarta as hosts for two groups each, two last 16 games each, one quarter final each, and one each of the semis, third place playoff and Final, it seems that four cities is an ideal number if Fifa could extend the notion of host country to 'host region'. The geographical distances between all four are actually less than some larger countries that have hosted the tournament.

The excitement level that would be generated would be huge and Singapore would be a natural lead for this given the YOG and F1 experience as well as other key developments that will take place over the next 16 years in developing its infrastructure.

The quality of life would be enhanced by the necessary introduction of facilities to co-host the tournament as well as grassroots excitement in the sport. The two obstacles would be the number of countries needed to collaborate as well as the practical issues of which teams get to play in the tournament but these can be overcome with a creative and collegiate bid.

Toby Koh
Group Managing Director
Ademco Security Group Pte Ltd

SINGAPORE is certainly headed in the right direction with the Integrated Resorts, F1 and YOG. I believe sports continues to be a major draw for most people. More world-class sporting events with top-ranked players in boxing, tennis, golf and so on must be brought into Singapore as annual events.

Sports has always galvanised people together and will be reported across the globe on all major media. Enhancing the sporting culture and improving the sporting infrastructure will further enhance Singapore as a great city to live in.

Alternative sports should be also focused on. I strongly suggest the Red Bull Air Race to be brought in. It is visually very exciting and will also serve to draw tourists. How about WWE wrestling? Both would be fantastic spectator sports. Singapore should continue to position herself as the centre of sporting action in the region.

Jerry Tan Soon Huat
Managing Director
Hu Lee Impex Pte Ltd

Live outdoor rock concerts. The tickets are too costly for indoors concerts. If Singapore can have quarterly live rock concerts just like in the West, held in the open field or along the beach, that will be the next big thing for Singapore. We may not really need Western rock bands as there are also a lot of Asian rock bands.

Dora Hoan
Group CEO
Best World International Ltd

THE 'next big thing' I can imagine for Singapore is playing host to the most fascinating 'Economic Olympics' that is, the World Expo. This global event that runs for six months can bring tremendous business opportunities for Singapore as it is known to attract over 70 million visitors, thus bolstering the development of international economy, trade and tourism.

It is also a most exalted showcase of cultural exchanges and innovations. We only need to think of the Eiffel Tower which was first presented at a world expo and became the symbol of Paris. Many inventions that made history such as the telephone and the airplane first broke ground at the World Expo.

I envision the World Expo in Singapore to be one of a kind and not merely an event but a wave of events that will fully leverage on our competitive strengths as a known country brand, an emerging global city-gateway to Asia and the hub to the markets and ideas of the Asia-Pacific region. Likewise, owing to Singapore's enviable status among developed nations and its strategic location at the heart of the developing world, not only will we spur the development of markets and trade but inspire global attention as a convergence point for innovations that may lead to the further advancement of human society.

Lim Soon Hock
Managing Director
PLAN-B ICAG Pte Ltd

I THINK the 'next big thing' for Singapore is to focus on taking the arts to the global level. We can develop a cultural offering that is uniquely Singaporean, leveraging on our cultural diversity and vibrancy of a first-world nation, perhaps exploiting also our idiosyncrasies. F1 and YOG are all about sports and physical endurance, the IRs are all about the economy, so going down the route of the arts can be good in terms of developing the cultural sensitivity of Singaporeans, our EQ, as well as showcase to the world that Singapore is an 'all rounded' country. It can also strengthen the social fabric in that it brings people from all walks of life together.

Countries like China have their Beijing opera or the acrobatic performances; Moscow has its Bolshoi ballet; Europe has musicals like Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables and Japan has its taiko drums. Travellers from all over the world make it a point to view these performances, when they visit these countries.

If Singapore can have at least one of our own creations of a world standard and appeal, it can help draw people to visit us to watch it. It may make sense for Singapore to invest in a trail blazer that will give a quantum leap to the development of the arts on the world stage. This will raise the excitement level here and overseas as well as to improve the quality of life in Singapore.

Tan Kok Leong
Principal
TKL Consulting

SINGAPORE is visible in Asia and around the world due to its decades of economic, social and political successes. It is likely to be equally successful as a centre for harmonising actions of nations in the attainment of common goods such as maintaining international peace and security, solving problems of an economic, social, cultural or humanitarian character, on climate change and on balancing the world economy.

Singapore perhaps should campaign in the General Assembly and the Security Council of the United Nations to become its Asia Headquarters to promote international diplomacy, to mitigate and minimise international conflicts.

Daniel McConaghy
Vice-President and Managing Director
FICO Asia Pacific

SINGAPORE has delivered on its commitment to emerge as a world class city by bringing in high-profile events such as Formula 1 and the Youth Olympic Games.

Singapore's leaders have proven they can successfully manage risk through a forward-looking approach and informed decision making; these characteristics have helped them execute successful programmes that often have seemed unpredictable or ahead of their time.

Looking ahead, for Singapore to reinvent itself in the reset economy, it will be critical that it broadens its portfolio of world events to include cultural and arts and design-focused events that help showcase its creative and multicultural heritage and build on its positioning as an A-list destination for investment and tourism.

What could complete the picture and help Singapore transition from being seen as a business hub to a World City is promotion of a culture and events that showcase Singapore's unique and unrivalled multicultural and multi-lingual heritage. Together, government, business and Singaporeans can celebrate Singapore's 'internationalism' - raising excitement for visitors and improving our own quality of life by offering the enjoyment of the many distinctive cultural benefits Singapore offers its citizens.

Joshua Yim
CEO
ACHIEVE Group

A FEW days ago, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said that Singapore was a more conservative society years ago and the idea of having casinos in the country was not so culturally acceptable then. But as time goes by, the social fabric of Singapore seems more open and that's why we pressed forward to have casinos in Singapore. I believe we ought to be relevant towards the changing times. Many years ago, bar-top dancing was not allowed but now we have it.

I think if Singapore stages a Mardi Gras parade, it would send a very strong signal to the world that we are a city of the 21st Century that embraces diversity. This is one of the traits of advanced cities in the world and it's time to think about hosting such an event. It may not directly result in economic gains for the country but by embracing diversity, we are demonstrating cultural acceptance. A Mardi Gras parade would also add spice and colour to the city and it is very exciting for Singapore to embrace such a continuum of different events.

Dhirendra Shantilal
Senior Vice-President Asia-Pacific
Kelly Services

BUILDING on the momentum of commercially successful mega events and attractions, we should look to advance our cultural standing in the eyes of the world with significant investments in world-class facilities for the arts. Singapore should aim to create an institution equivalent to the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, the Louvre in Paris or the Guggenheim in Bilbao, which would house premier collections of artistically renowned works of art as well as our local heritage. We should continue to champion prodigious entertainment such as Cirque du Soleil and at the same time elevate our meetings, conventions and exhibitions sector by bidding for events of the highest order.

Such efforts would enhance initiatives currently underway with art schools, festivals and activities to stimulate appreciation for and advance knowledge of the arts, and promote and cultivate further a rich and contemporary culture that would be key aspects of our identity and social life. Celebrating the pinnacle of human achievement in the arts would augment our quality of life, which would in turn raise Singapore's attractiveness and appeal in attracting top talent and investment.

Liu Chunlin
CEO
K&C Protective Technologies Pte Ltd

AS we reach out for the next level of economic development, or perhaps in order to reach such a level, we need to ratchet up the level of lifestyle excitement. We need to make up for our lack of natural wonders by deliberate attractions. Here I can think quickly of ideas like creating Singapore as a cosmopolitan, global yet Asian tropical city paradise, perhaps like the Monaco of the East.

Towards that, why not build up a cultural centre of excellence. Reinforce the shopping experience to make Singapore a place where one can get anything in the world. We have enough expertise to make Singapore a culinary heaven to pander to every indulgence.

Lastly, after the IRs, F1 and YOG, what is there to stop us thinking of global attractions like the Olympics, World Cup, and so on.

Perhaps it is not a question of how but when. And if hyper excitement, conspicuous consumption and jet-setting are not to everyone's liking, we can be all things to all by also becoming a philanthropic capital of the region, offering fulfilling investment by rich donors for the needs of the region.

Andrea Ross
Managing Director (Singapore)
Robert Walters Singapore

THE one idea that springs to mind would be for Singapore to focus on building a premiership football league. There are a number of talented teams in Singapore which have yet to have opportunities to achieve representation in the European soccer arena. Collaborating with neighbouring countries to gain further support would also reinforce relations.

Should Singapore decide to spend time and resources into putting together a professional world-class soccer league, the end result could very well rival the teams participating in the European Premiership. This in turn would create a huge buzz around the region (with companies looking to invest in sponsorships), thus further contributing towards the Republic's efforts in building careers for footballers locally.

Other avenues to raise the excitement level in Singapore could include hosting the World Cup, as well as exploring the option of having a global/regional movie event such as the Oscars or Cannes Film Festival to potentially bring in film-makers, celebrities and tourists from all over the world.

Besides drawing further international investments, these options could very well be the next big thing in Singapore and contribute towards enhancing the Singapore brand across the globe.

Teng Yeow Heng Michael
Managing Director
Corporate Turnaround Centre Pte Ltd

AFTER IRs, F1 and YOG, the 'next big thing' is the general election to form the next Singapore government. This is the next natural course of major event as the general election is due and in the offing. The impending general election in Singapore will definitely attract worldwide and local attention as well as raise the level of excitement. People will be keenly watching the political development of Singapore in the new era of transformation. The government has successfully led in the transformation of Singapore in launching the IRs, F1 and YOG, the big question is whether the electorate sees this transformation as improving the quality of their lives and benefiting them economically. Do the people endorse the government's efforts by voting them in again in a resounding way? If the voters make the right decision in putting the right political leaders to take charge, it will further raise the level of quality of life in Singapore.

John Koh
Managing Director
WMRC Private Ltd

BESIDES the current YOG event and the annual F1 race, I believe there are many other major global events which Singapore could host to further increase our visibility as a global city that is exciting to live in. Such global events cover all aspects of great city living, which include entertainment, fashion, food & beverage and also in key areas such as technology, healthcare, financial services, and so on.

Marketing the Singapore brand is important as we are still, in many ways, a young nation and engaging in smart co-branding initiatives with top event organisers of the world will undoubtedly raise our profile and awareness in the minds of the global audience.