S
suicidalpap
Guest
For our future, don't curb foreign inflow
Letter from Chng Hee Kok Updated 12:18 PM Jan 20, 2011
THE report, "PRs now better educated" (Jan 18), is encouraging news. The recently released O-Level results show that half of the star performers are foreigners; it is another plus if we can encourage these foreign students to become citizens.
What is not a good sign is that the number of new permanent residents (PRs) has been half that of 2009. To me, it seems the Government is reacting to populist sentiment. Instead of fearing foreign talent, Singaporeans should welcome these bright students and well-qualified individuals and encourage them to become citizens. These individuals will contribute to our economic growth.
The United States is a prime example of how foreigners have continuously propelled the economy forward. The influx of talented Jews as a result of World War II, the boat people of Vietnam and, more recently, the inflow of talent from China and India have spurred its economy. College honour rolls reflect the influx of foreign talent during those various periods of history.
The liberal immigration policy in the US was the main driving force pushing its economy to the next level of growth each time it flattened. Sadly, this is no longer the case with Sept 11, 2001, and the economic recession seeing the US turn increasingly inwards of late.
A small country like Singapore and its small population needs all the foreign talent it can attract to keep the economic engine going. Once we become inward-looking our growth prospects must surely dim.
Letter from Chng Hee Kok Updated 12:18 PM Jan 20, 2011
THE report, "PRs now better educated" (Jan 18), is encouraging news. The recently released O-Level results show that half of the star performers are foreigners; it is another plus if we can encourage these foreign students to become citizens.
What is not a good sign is that the number of new permanent residents (PRs) has been half that of 2009. To me, it seems the Government is reacting to populist sentiment. Instead of fearing foreign talent, Singaporeans should welcome these bright students and well-qualified individuals and encourage them to become citizens. These individuals will contribute to our economic growth.
The United States is a prime example of how foreigners have continuously propelled the economy forward. The influx of talented Jews as a result of World War II, the boat people of Vietnam and, more recently, the inflow of talent from China and India have spurred its economy. College honour rolls reflect the influx of foreign talent during those various periods of history.
The liberal immigration policy in the US was the main driving force pushing its economy to the next level of growth each time it flattened. Sadly, this is no longer the case with Sept 11, 2001, and the economic recession seeing the US turn increasingly inwards of late.
A small country like Singapore and its small population needs all the foreign talent it can attract to keep the economic engine going. Once we become inward-looking our growth prospects must surely dim.
