No alternative to raising productivity, says Tharman
By Sara Grosse | Posted: 13 April 2012 2129 hrs
SINGAPORE: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam said there is no alternative to raising productivity as the government embarks on a major restructuring of the economy.
He said the government will spare no effort to help businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, to make this transition to higher productivity, which will in turn lead to higher wages for workers.
Mr Tharman was speaking at the Indian New Year celebrations in Serangoon.
On the Indian Community, he said one of its achievements is that it has become more cohesive over the years.
Mr Tharman said: "It's a community that's coming closer together. We've got to keep up the spirit and also make an effort as we have new immigrants coming into our society.
"Make a special effort to integrate them, and the new immigrants themselves also must make a special effort to understand our society, understand the fact that it is multicultural with major ethnic groups that are from very different parts of Asia."
Several Indian communities gathered in Little India to showcase their own art forms and customs. These included exhibitions on Indian culture, tradition and heritage.
Mr Tharman added that more professional and business elite have become involved in the community, and that philanthropy efforts are on the rise in this group.
The week-long Indian New Year celebrations aim to forge a strong bond among various ethnic Indian communities as well as other racial communities within Singapore.
-CNA/ac
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1195069/1/.html
By Sara Grosse | Posted: 13 April 2012 2129 hrs
SINGAPORE: Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam said there is no alternative to raising productivity as the government embarks on a major restructuring of the economy.
He said the government will spare no effort to help businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, to make this transition to higher productivity, which will in turn lead to higher wages for workers.
Mr Tharman was speaking at the Indian New Year celebrations in Serangoon.
On the Indian Community, he said one of its achievements is that it has become more cohesive over the years.
Mr Tharman said: "It's a community that's coming closer together. We've got to keep up the spirit and also make an effort as we have new immigrants coming into our society.
"Make a special effort to integrate them, and the new immigrants themselves also must make a special effort to understand our society, understand the fact that it is multicultural with major ethnic groups that are from very different parts of Asia."
Several Indian communities gathered in Little India to showcase their own art forms and customs. These included exhibitions on Indian culture, tradition and heritage.
Mr Tharman added that more professional and business elite have become involved in the community, and that philanthropy efforts are on the rise in this group.
The week-long Indian New Year celebrations aim to forge a strong bond among various ethnic Indian communities as well as other racial communities within Singapore.
-CNA/ac
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1195069/1/.html
