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Source:
www.gov.sg |
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SPEECH BY MR LEE HSIEN LOONG,PRIME MINISTER, AT
NATIONAL DAY, 8 AUGUST 2007, 7.15 PM |
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My fellow Singaporeans, |
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We celebrate National Day in a happy mood.
It has been another good year for Singapore. Altogether now, we have had
four good years of growth. |
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We have many things to cheer about: |
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a. Our athletes are winning medals |
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b. Our chefs are winning culinary contests |
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c. Our entrepreneurs are launching new
businesses |
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d. Our students are excelling at all
kinds of international events ¨C robotic championships, choir
festivals, debates, creative problem solving contests, and
mathematics and science Olympiads |
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e. We are gearing up for new and
exciting projects, like the Formula One Grand Prix and the
Integrated Resorts |
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Economic growth in the first half of
this year was 7.6%, higher than we had expected. For the whole
year, MTI has raised its growth forecast to between 7 and 8%. |
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The good news is that we have added
111,000 jobs in the first half ¨C the highest number ever.
Unemployment is very low, at 2.4%. Workers are enjoying good wage
increases and higher bonuses because businesses are doing well. |
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Singapore is growing not just because
of more investments or more workers. Our people are adapting and
working smarter. We are organising ourselves more efficiently, and
making better use of our resources. |
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In short, we have increased our
productivity. Our efforts to transform our economy are paying off.
The global economy is continuing to change. If we keep on adapting
and readapting to it, we can keep growing strongly for many more
years. |
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Favourable Conditions Ahead |
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It has been ten years since the Asian
financial crisis. Asia has progressed, and become more developed
and dynamic. China and India are powering ahead, and Japan¡¯s
economy has revived. Southeast Asia is not without problems, but
on the whole, it has regained its balance. |
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High energy prices are benefiting
energy-exporters like Malaysia and Indonesia, and the region is
moving forward again. While the global financial markets have been
choppy the last few days, the medium term fundamentals for Asia
remain strong. |
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Singapore is at the heart of this
rising Asia. We have many strengths to draw on: |
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a. A clean and corruption-free
society; |
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b. Disciplined and well-educated
workers; |
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c. A cohesive, multi-racial community; |
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d. A capable and vigilant SAF and Home
Team. |
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Looking ahead, we are poised to take
off. Many projects are already underway. In Marina South, we are
building the integrated resort, the banking and financial centre,
and soon the new botanic gardens. |
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There is buzz and excitement in the
air, as our city changes before our eyes day by day. Even the
National Day Parade this year is different and exciting. For the
first time, it will be held on water at Marina Bay. It will be on
the largest floating stage in the world, with the new city skyline
taking shape around us. |
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We are not just creating a new
downtown, but building a first-class living environment for all
Singaporeans. |
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We are rejuvenating HDB estates where
our people live, and linking the estates to parks and waterways. |
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We are connecting the whole island
with high-quality public transport, and every home with high-speed
internet. All this will enhance the value of your homes, and draw
our community closer together. |
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Within a decade, our city and our
whole country will be completely transformed. The world is taking
notice. It will be a new Singapore, but with our own unique
identity, and the can-do and never-say-die spirit of the Lion
City. |
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Widening Income Gap |
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Yet, as we build this nation together,
we face one major challenge to our social harmony and national
cohesion. Income gaps are widening ¨C here, and all over the world. |
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With globalisation, hundreds of
millions of unskilled workers are joining the global economy. They
are pushing down wages at the lower end. Rapidly changing
technology is also making jobs more complex. People with skills
and high ability are in growing demand, and being paid more. |
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We cannot stop or reverse this global
trend. But we can do a lot to help Singaporeans cope with it. We
want everybody to benefit from Singapore¡¯s success. |
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Our basic approach is to grow the
economic pie. When companies expand, there will be more and better
jobs for everyone. |
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We will have the resources to maximise
opportunities for all. We can give every child many chances to do
the best for himself in life. |
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We can also help every household to
own a home of their own ¨C in fact, our HDB home ownership
programme is the best form of social welfare for Singaporeans. |
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We are strengthening our social safety
nets. Programmes like ComCare and Workfare help the lower-income
families. |
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More importantly, we are helping them
and their children to break out of poverty, through education and
training. |
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So we are creating excellent learning
environments in every neighbourhood school, and not just a few top
schools. And we are helping low-wage workers to learn new skills,
become more employable, and do better. |
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One reason our income gap is widening
is our ageing population. Singaporeans are living longer than
ever. We must help our elderly live comfortably by keeping medical
care affordable, making our city barrier-free, and our public
transport wheelchair friendly. Those with enough savings will feel
secure about their future. |
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But workers who retire too early may
not have enough savings for their old age. I know many older
Singaporeans worry about whether they can make ends meet. |
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We are making changes to help you to
work longer, earn more and build up your retirement savings. We
will enhance the value of your HDB homes, which are a nest-egg for
old age. We will improve the CPF scheme, so that you can enjoy a
steady income and peace of mind in your golden years. |
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The Government cannot solve all these
problems alone. Everyone must play a part. We each must take
responsibility for ourselves, make the effort to do well, and
provide for our families and our old age. |
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At the same time, the more successful
Singaporeans must pitch in to help the weaker ones. The more you
have gained from society, the greater your obligation to give back
something to your fellow citizens. |
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Let your giving come from the heart.
Many Singaporeans have done so quietly. To grow as a nation, we
need to be compassionate as well as competitive. As we spur one
another on to perform and excel, we must also work together and
care for those in need. |
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Confident about the Future |
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We will tackle these issues one by
one, and deal with all the problems that are bound to come in this
uncertain world. |
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But we have every reason to be
confident about our future. The global backdrop is favourable. The
winds and tides are with us. Our spirit is high, and our ship is
ready. |
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My fellow Singaporeans, let¡¯s seize
the moment to sail ahead, into the bright and exciting future that
we can already see. Together, let¡¯s transform Singapore, and make
this a special home for every one of us. |
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I wish all Singaporeans a very Happy
National Day. |
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Source:
www.gov.sg Media Release 8 Aug 2007 |
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Related Articles: |
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-
Performance of Singapore economy in 2nd quarter 2007 |
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-
Prime Minister's National Day Message 2006 |
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FrontPage Edition: Thu 9 August 2007
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