Singapore cannot rely on more land, labour or carbon for next phase of growth: Tan See Leng
Asked how the government weighed the pros and cons for the proposed western island, Dr Tan See Leng said there are many uncertain development timelines involved, and that detailed environmental studies will be conducted.
Singapore's Minister for Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) Dr Tan See Leng stated on August 26 that the nation must turn to productivity enhancement and innovation to fuel its next economic growth phase. Singapore's limited size and reliance on trade, coupled with a rapidly fragmenting global economy, indicate that the country cannot expand through additional land, labor, or carbon emissions, according to Dr Tan.
The Minister highlighted at the Ministry of Trade and Industry Economic Dialogue 2026 that Singapore must explore global opportunities to generate more value from its existing resources. He explained that the country's growth cannot be sustained by simply adding more land, workers, or carbon emissions. Dr Tan emphasized that Singapore must scour the world for innovative ways to create more value from its current assets.
Additionally, he discussed the impact of geopolitical tensions and economic fragmentation on trade and investment. Dr Tan asserted that technology, such as AI and automation, can enable companies to produce more with fewer workers, thereby shifting the job landscape. Consequently, Singapore's government will ensure that AI adoption is human-centric and complements workers.
The government has launched the Economic Strategy Review to strengthen Singapore's value proposition, agility, adaptability, and resilience. Dr Tan acknowledged that making tough choices under uncertainty is necessary to achieve these goals.
Written by urgent.news from CNA - Singapore's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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