Govt's goal is to ensure all S'poreans enjoy fruits of growth: PM Lee
By S Ramesh | Posted: 08 August 2010 1934 hrs
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Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong</TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD><TD class=update> </TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD><TD><TABLE style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cccccc" border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=240><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width="100%"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
SINGAPORE : Singapore's economy grew 17.9 per cent in the first half and the government is forecasting full-year growth of between 13 and 15 per cent.
In the annual National Day Message, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the government's goal is to ensure all Singaporeans enjoy the fruits of growth.
He asked Singaporeans to make the effort, even as he pledged the government's support to ensure every student and worker can reach their full potential.
Speaking from the Pinnacle @ Duxton, the Prime Minister referred to the cityscape as an example of Singapore's dynamism and success.
While there is cause for celebration, he cautioned that the exceptional growth this year may not be repeated year after year.
Effort needs to be made by Singaporeans to ensure continued growth.
Mr Lee addressed three main concerns in his speech - ensuring all Singaporeans get to share in economic growth; developing and investing in Singaporeans so they have the best skills and training; and the need to reinforce the Singapore team with talent and numbers from abroad.
Mr Lee said: "Other countries are not only much larger than us, but have far deeper pools of talent than we have. We must make up for the shortage of Singaporean workers in our economy and the shortfall of babies in our population.
"Without an inflow, over time, our economy and society will lose vibrancy, our citizens will enjoy fewer opportunities and our shining red dot will grow dimmer."
Mr Lee acknowledged that Singaporeans' concerns about new immigrants - such as whether they change the ethos of society - are valid and need to be addressed. He made clear that the inflow will be controlled, and that only those who can contribute to Singapore will be brought in.
Mr Lee said: "I understand Singaporeans' concerns about taking in so many foreign workers and immigrants. Some of us wonder will it change the ethos of our society? Will it mean more competition for us at work or for our children in schools? Will the new arrivals strike roots here? Can they adjust to us, and we to them?"
He stressed: "We will make clear that citizens come first. After all, we are doing this for the sake of Singaporeans."
He encouraged Singaporeans to welcome foreigners here with an open heart.
Mr Lee also pledged to continue investing in schools and education, and workers' training and productivity.
He said: "We will help every school to offer something extra and different and thus give students more good choices. We will create new peaks of excellence in ITEs, polytechnics and universities, to stretch our students.
"I ask parents and students to work with us, to give our youth the best start in life."
Beyond schools, the government is investing S$5.5 billion over five years to build up the Continuing Education and Training framework.
It is also introducing many schemes and incentives to help companies and workers improve their productivity.
Turning to the Youth Olympic Games, Mr Lee continued on the theme of welcoming new arrivals to Singapore, saying that Singapore must impress with the spirit of its people, showing them how new arrivals here live and work in harmony with those born here.
He hoped all Singaporeans will work together to put up a good show and make the Games a memorable one.
Singapore's athletes have been training hard and some 20,000 volunteers are ready to welcome the guests. - CNA/ms
For the full text and video of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's National Day Message, click <DEV1BLANK>here</DEV1BLANK>.
By S Ramesh | Posted: 08 August 2010 1934 hrs
<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=260 align=right><TBODY><TR><TD width=20 align=right> </TD><TD width=240 align=right>
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong</TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD><TD class=update> </TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD><TD><TABLE style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #cccccc" border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=240><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width="100%"></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
SINGAPORE : Singapore's economy grew 17.9 per cent in the first half and the government is forecasting full-year growth of between 13 and 15 per cent.
In the annual National Day Message, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the government's goal is to ensure all Singaporeans enjoy the fruits of growth.
He asked Singaporeans to make the effort, even as he pledged the government's support to ensure every student and worker can reach their full potential.
Speaking from the Pinnacle @ Duxton, the Prime Minister referred to the cityscape as an example of Singapore's dynamism and success.
While there is cause for celebration, he cautioned that the exceptional growth this year may not be repeated year after year.
Effort needs to be made by Singaporeans to ensure continued growth.
Mr Lee addressed three main concerns in his speech - ensuring all Singaporeans get to share in economic growth; developing and investing in Singaporeans so they have the best skills and training; and the need to reinforce the Singapore team with talent and numbers from abroad.
Mr Lee said: "Other countries are not only much larger than us, but have far deeper pools of talent than we have. We must make up for the shortage of Singaporean workers in our economy and the shortfall of babies in our population.
"Without an inflow, over time, our economy and society will lose vibrancy, our citizens will enjoy fewer opportunities and our shining red dot will grow dimmer."
Mr Lee acknowledged that Singaporeans' concerns about new immigrants - such as whether they change the ethos of society - are valid and need to be addressed. He made clear that the inflow will be controlled, and that only those who can contribute to Singapore will be brought in.
Mr Lee said: "I understand Singaporeans' concerns about taking in so many foreign workers and immigrants. Some of us wonder will it change the ethos of our society? Will it mean more competition for us at work or for our children in schools? Will the new arrivals strike roots here? Can they adjust to us, and we to them?"
He stressed: "We will make clear that citizens come first. After all, we are doing this for the sake of Singaporeans."
He encouraged Singaporeans to welcome foreigners here with an open heart.
Mr Lee also pledged to continue investing in schools and education, and workers' training and productivity.
He said: "We will help every school to offer something extra and different and thus give students more good choices. We will create new peaks of excellence in ITEs, polytechnics and universities, to stretch our students.
"I ask parents and students to work with us, to give our youth the best start in life."
Beyond schools, the government is investing S$5.5 billion over five years to build up the Continuing Education and Training framework.
It is also introducing many schemes and incentives to help companies and workers improve their productivity.
Turning to the Youth Olympic Games, Mr Lee continued on the theme of welcoming new arrivals to Singapore, saying that Singapore must impress with the spirit of its people, showing them how new arrivals here live and work in harmony with those born here.
He hoped all Singaporeans will work together to put up a good show and make the Games a memorable one.
Singapore's athletes have been training hard and some 20,000 volunteers are ready to welcome the guests. - CNA/ms
For the full text and video of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's National Day Message, click <DEV1BLANK>here</DEV1BLANK>.
