Prof Tommy Koh on What It Takes To Keep Singapore Great

[glockman]

 

[batman1]

Just lie flat and watch the world pass by. 555

 

[laksaboy]

Sinkieland needs a maverick like Epstein, Tommy Koh's acquaintance.

 

[nabeifuckpap]

https://mustsharenews.com/tommy-koh-ceca/

S’pore Has Talent Shortage & India Is A Talent Surplus Country, Says Tommy Koh On CECA​

Latest News MS Originals Singapore This article is more than 6 years old
Import of Indian talent is to fill the gap, not to displace.
By The Must Share News Team - 23 Nov 2019, 6:24 pm
Follow us on Whatsapp for the latest updatesFollow us on Telegram for the latest updates

Tommy Koh Says CECA Brought Many Benefits To Singapore & India​

Last month, a video showing a condo resident, who is an Indian national, yelling at a security personnel over a $10 parking fee had gone viral.

Source​

While members of the public were outraged by the resident’s ‘entitled’ behaviour, the incident also thrust the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) into the spotlight.
Some netizens criticised the agreement for “opening the floodgates” for Indian nationals to migrate to Singapore and compete with locals for jobs.
On Saturday (23 Nov), The Straits Times published an op-ed written by veteran diplomat Tommy Koh regarding his thoughts on Singapore’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), which includes CECA.
In short, Prof Koh claims that as long as Indian professionals are coming in to fill gaps and not displace locals, CECA is mutually beneficial to both countries.

Source​

The full op-ed can be found here. It’s pretty long, but a very informative read. We summarise some of his points pertaining to CECA below.

3 ways CECA benefitted Singapore, according to Prof Tommy Koh​

For some background knowledge, CECA was signed between Singapore and India in 2005. The agreement lowers barriers for trade and movement of people between the 2 countries.
Now, what does Prof Tommy Koh know about such agreements?
Well, he was a key figure of the Singapore delegation that negotiated our FTA with the US. He even chaired 2 World Trade Organisation dispute panels, according to his sign-off in The Straits Times.

Source​

So how has CECA benefitted Singapore? Prof Koh listed 3 points:

• Removed most tariff barriers that Singapore firms face entering India
• Allowed DBS and UOB to provide integral banking services in India
• Established a framework for intellectual property rights and dispute settlement in India

On the other hand, CECA also allows for intra-company transferees, letting Indian nationals work in Singapore for a specific duration.

CECA does not guarantee jobs for Indian nationals​

However, Prof Koh also addressed some misconception regarding CECA.
Firstly, the agreement does not guarantee Indian nationals with jobs in Singapore.
They are also not accorded preferential treatment over the locals.
Lastly, Indian nationals must also meet the work-pass qualifying criteria before they are allowed to work here.

India has a talent surplus while Singapore, a talent deficit​

Over the 14 years since CECA was signed, Prof Koh claims that CECA has brought “many benefits” to both Singapore and India.
Particularly, he pointed out that India has a “talent surplus” while Singapore is running a “talent deficit”.
In ending, Prof Koh said that so long as Indian talents are brought in to “fill the gap”, and not to displace Singaporeans from their jobs, CECA remains mutually beneficial for both countries.

Do you agree with Prof Tommy Koh’s view on CECA?​

In a time and age when fake news spreads as easily as butter, it’s good to see respected figures like Prof Koh stepping out to share their thoughts on important issues and debunking untruths.
What are your thoughts on Prof Koh’s explanation? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Featured image adapted from YouTube.
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Shares

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MustShareNews is part of TSL Media Group​

 

[glockman]

https://mustsharenews.com/tommy-koh-ceca/

S’pore Has Talent Shortage & India Is A Talent Surplus Country, Says Tommy Koh On CECA​

Latest News MS Originals Singapore This article is more than 6 years old
Import of Indian talent is to fill the gap, not to displace.
By The Must Share News Team - 23 Nov 2019, 6:24 pm
Follow us on Whatsapp for the latest updatesFollow us on Telegram for the latest updates

Tommy Koh Says CECA Brought Many Benefits To Singapore & India​

Last month, a video showing a condo resident, who is an Indian national, yelling at a security personnel over a $10 parking fee had gone viral.

Source​

While members of the public were outraged by the resident’s ‘entitled’ behaviour, the incident also thrust the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) into the spotlight.
Some netizens criticised the agreement for “opening the floodgates” for Indian nationals to migrate to Singapore and compete with locals for jobs.
On Saturday (23 Nov), The Straits Times published an op-ed written by veteran diplomat Tommy Koh regarding his thoughts on Singapore’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), which includes CECA.
In short, Prof Koh claims that as long as Indian professionals are coming in to fill gaps and not displace locals, CECA is mutually beneficial to both countries.

Source​

The full op-ed can be found here. It’s pretty long, but a very informative read. We summarise some of his points pertaining to CECA below.

3 ways CECA benefitted Singapore, according to Prof Tommy Koh​

For some background knowledge, CECA was signed between Singapore and India in 2005. The agreement lowers barriers for trade and movement of people between the 2 countries.
Now, what does Prof Tommy Koh know about such agreements?
Well, he was a key figure of the Singapore delegation that negotiated our FTA with the US. He even chaired 2 World Trade Organisation dispute panels, according to his sign-off in The Straits Times.

Source​

So how has CECA benefitted Singapore? Prof Koh listed 3 points:

• Removed most tariff barriers that Singapore firms face entering India
• Allowed DBS and UOB to provide integral banking services in India
• Established a framework for intellectual property rights and dispute settlement in India

On the other hand, CECA also allows for intra-company transferees, letting Indian nationals work in Singapore for a specific duration.

CECA does not guarantee jobs for Indian nationals​

However, Prof Koh also addressed some misconception regarding CECA.
Firstly, the agreement does not guarantee Indian nationals with jobs in Singapore.
They are also not accorded preferential treatment over the locals.
Lastly, Indian nationals must also meet the work-pass qualifying criteria before they are allowed to work here.

India has a talent surplus while Singapore, a talent deficit​

Over the 14 years since CECA was signed, Prof Koh claims that CECA has brought “many benefits” to both Singapore and India.
Particularly, he pointed out that India has a “talent surplus” while Singapore is running a “talent deficit”.
In ending, Prof Koh said that so long as Indian talents are brought in to “fill the gap”, and not to displace Singaporeans from their jobs, CECA remains mutually beneficial for both countries.

Do you agree with Prof Tommy Koh’s view on CECA?​

In a time and age when fake news spreads as easily as butter, it’s good to see respected figures like Prof Koh stepping out to share their thoughts on important issues and debunking untruths.
What are your thoughts on Prof Koh’s explanation? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Featured image adapted from YouTube.
907
Shares

​

6 hours ago

Power bank catches fire on flight from China to South Korea, 8 sent to hospital​

​

6 hours ago

'Stupid, crazy, pigs': Helper in M'sia allegedly insults employers on livestream, gets sacked​

​

7 hours ago

Man who died in AYE accident was looking forward to daughter's wedding, family appeal for eyewitnesses​

​

9 hours ago

Super high tides seen at Kusu Island, netizens raise concerns about its future​

Trending Stories​

• 
  3 days ago
  

  More S'porean vehicles with improper licence plates allegedly spotted on roads, 67 summonses issued​

• 
  2 days ago
  

  2 motorcyclists with M’sian licence plates seen exiting gantry of Marina Bay carpark simultaneously​

• 
  2 days ago
  

  Bus lane on Upper Serangoon Road changed to dotted lane to improve traffic low, sparks debate​

• 
  3 days ago
  

  S'pore home-based business under scrutiny for alleged food safety concerns, owner insists hair was planted in chicken​

• 
  3 days ago
  

  Man in M'sia nearly charged S$460 in parking fees instead of S$1.60 due to system glitch​

Branded Content​

• 2 weeks ago
  

  Guardian has 3-for-2 deal on brands like Cetaphil & Eucerin, just in time for a CNY glow-up​

• 3 weeks ago
  

  DBS Takashimaya Debit Cardholders can enjoy exclusive food deals from S$1 on 30 Dec only​

• 3 weeks ago
  

  The Kallang Pass lets you attend every 2026 concert at National Stadium & S’pore Indoor Stadium​

• 3 weeks ago
  

  Four Star CNY sale has buy 1 free 1 mattresses, get up to S$288 cashback for old furniture trade-ins​

Connect & collaborate with us

​

• Share with Us
• Advertise with us

• Advertising
• About
• Editorial Policy
• Data Protection Notice
• Privacy Policy
• Team

(C) 2026 MSNews - All Rights Reserved.

MustShareNews is part of TSL Media Group​

Yes, sometimes they say things that we disagree with, or may not like. But we shouldn't just harp on that and discount the other things they say. Which could be nuggets of wisdom that could benefit our personal growth and increase our knowledge.