https://www.straitstimes.com/singap...tunities-in-sustainability-space-tan-see-leng
Dr Tan was also asked if Singapore can afford to slow down in its pursuit of growth and productivity.
This came after he was asked a similar question by an audience member at a panel discussion on the need for continual innovation.
“The question we should ask ourselves is: Is the rest of the world, the rest of Asean, going to slow down?” Dr Tan said.
“In many things, we’re net takers. We don’t decide on how things are because, really, our markets, our economy and our size, we’re very, very small.”
On how Singapore overcomes these constraints, he said: “There are a lot of times the reason why we do well is because of the fact that we are agile, we are nimble, we are responsive, and beyond that, we are also pre-emptive.
“We try our best to scour the world. We try to learn from all over the world what it is that they’re doing and how we can not just keep up, but do better.”
Dr Tan said young people today may feel overwhelmed by developments around the world and disruptions like the pandemic.
“What I hope to be able to do is to tell all of our young people: ‘Never fear, because we will do our utmost best to have all of your backs covered.’”
Dr Tan was also asked if Singapore can afford to slow down in its pursuit of growth and productivity.
This came after he was asked a similar question by an audience member at a panel discussion on the need for continual innovation.
“The question we should ask ourselves is: Is the rest of the world, the rest of Asean, going to slow down?” Dr Tan said.
“In many things, we’re net takers. We don’t decide on how things are because, really, our markets, our economy and our size, we’re very, very small.”
On how Singapore overcomes these constraints, he said: “There are a lot of times the reason why we do well is because of the fact that we are agile, we are nimble, we are responsive, and beyond that, we are also pre-emptive.
“We try our best to scour the world. We try to learn from all over the world what it is that they’re doing and how we can not just keep up, but do better.”
Dr Tan said young people today may feel overwhelmed by developments around the world and disruptions like the pandemic.
“What I hope to be able to do is to tell all of our young people: ‘Never fear, because we will do our utmost best to have all of your backs covered.’”
