Spore economic problems started when we have bureacrats paper scholars like Lim Hng Kiang being put in charge of managing the country's trade and industry. Then it is downhill all the way. And this fella feels very proud, bragging it to the news media. 
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_343734.html
HE HAS never worked in the private sector, never run a business.
Since the age of 19 when he accepted the President's Scholarship, Mr Lim Hng Kiang has devoted his career to public service - first, the Singapore Armed Forces, then the Administrative Service, before segueing smoothly into politics.
Yet, ironically, it is in the messy world of trade and industry that the
54-year-old, who previously helmed the National Development and Health ministries, is arguably doing his most important work today.
As Singapore's Trade and Industry Minister since 2004, Mr Lim is responsible for ensuring that the various cogs in the capitalist wheel are locked in place - that businesses flourish here, new competitive industries are identified, and that Singapore remains relevant in an increasingly complex global economy.
All these work towards positioning the country economically for the long term.
It is an especially critical job now, as Singapore undergoes its sharpest and deepest recession, throwing up questions about its economic growth model and strategies moving forward.
So has the minister ever found his lack of private-sector experience a disadvantage?
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_343734.html
HE HAS never worked in the private sector, never run a business.
Since the age of 19 when he accepted the President's Scholarship, Mr Lim Hng Kiang has devoted his career to public service - first, the Singapore Armed Forces, then the Administrative Service, before segueing smoothly into politics.
Yet, ironically, it is in the messy world of trade and industry that the
54-year-old, who previously helmed the National Development and Health ministries, is arguably doing his most important work today.
As Singapore's Trade and Industry Minister since 2004, Mr Lim is responsible for ensuring that the various cogs in the capitalist wheel are locked in place - that businesses flourish here, new competitive industries are identified, and that Singapore remains relevant in an increasingly complex global economy.
All these work towards positioning the country economically for the long term.
It is an especially critical job now, as Singapore undergoes its sharpest and deepest recession, throwing up questions about its economic growth model and strategies moving forward.
So has the minister ever found his lack of private-sector experience a disadvantage?
.
