Singapore gains from inflow of foreigners: PM Lee
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</tbody>SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has said welcoming foreign talent and new immigrants benefits Singaporeans.
But the government understands Singaporeans' concerns over the negative impact of immigration and will introduce even more policies to ensure that citizens always come first.
Prime Minister Lee said this in his National Day Rally speech at the University Cultural Centre on Sunday evening.
He said that in order to achieve higher growth to benefit Singaporeans, the country must accept a controlled flow of foreign talent here. With the economy booming, Mr Lee said Singapore could be attracting about 80,000 more foreigners this year.
Keeping Singapore's doors open, he said, will reap benefits like having a bigger talent pool to help grow the economy and make up for the population shortfall.
Mr Lee said: "We have moved fast over the last five years. But now I think we should consolidate, slow down the pace. We can't continue like this, increasing our population (by) 100,000... 150,000 a year indefinitely.
"And we should give Singaporeans time to adjust and our society time to settle, integrate better - the new arrivals.
"But we must not close ourselves up. We must continue to be open today so that we bring in the right people, manage the difficulties whatever they may be so that a generation from now, Singapore will still be thriving and prospering."
Mr Lee explained in detail how the government will address the concerns of having more foreigners here. He assured Singaporeans that their jobs will be protected, by restricting foreign workers through increased levies.
Aside from protecting jobs, Prime Minister Lee emphasised the government's commitment to ensure that public housing will be within the reach of Singaporeans.
He said the Housing and Development Board (HDB) will build an additional 22,000 new flats next year - 6,000 more than this year.
For households earning between S$8,000 and S$10,000 monthly, he said the government will now allow them to participate in HDB's Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS).
Mr Lee said the move will widen the choice beyond executive condos, to allow them to buy HDB DBSS flats with a S$30,000 grant, but no HDB loan.
He added that the government will also do more to cool the private property market.
"Our purpose is to make sure that in the long term, Singaporeans can own their home and afford it, and it'll be a gradually appreciating asset which will grow as Singapore grows so that Singaporeans can benefit," he said.
Mr Lee also announced that S$400 million will be pumped into the Workfare Income Supplement for 400,000 low-wage Singaporeans this year.
National Servicemen will also not be forgotten, as Mr Lee acknowledged their contribution through a new initiative.
The National Service Recognition Award (NSRA), giving each NSman S$9,000, will be paid in tranches at major milestones of an NSman's service to help with the cost of their education and to buy a house.
Ultimately, to manage Singapore's immigration, talent and population policies, the government will set up a high-level Population and Talent Division.
Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng will oversee this division and ensure that all Singaporeans will benefit from the country's open door policy. But Mr Lee acknowledged that immigration is a continuing issue. He said the country as a whole must manage, monitor and adjust along the way.
- CNA/ir
By May Wong | Posted: 29 August 2010 2150 hrs
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But the government understands Singaporeans' concerns over the negative impact of immigration and will introduce even more policies to ensure that citizens always come first.
Prime Minister Lee said this in his National Day Rally speech at the University Cultural Centre on Sunday evening.
He said that in order to achieve higher growth to benefit Singaporeans, the country must accept a controlled flow of foreign talent here. With the economy booming, Mr Lee said Singapore could be attracting about 80,000 more foreigners this year.
Keeping Singapore's doors open, he said, will reap benefits like having a bigger talent pool to help grow the economy and make up for the population shortfall.
Mr Lee said: "We have moved fast over the last five years. But now I think we should consolidate, slow down the pace. We can't continue like this, increasing our population (by) 100,000... 150,000 a year indefinitely.
"And we should give Singaporeans time to adjust and our society time to settle, integrate better - the new arrivals.
"But we must not close ourselves up. We must continue to be open today so that we bring in the right people, manage the difficulties whatever they may be so that a generation from now, Singapore will still be thriving and prospering."
Mr Lee explained in detail how the government will address the concerns of having more foreigners here. He assured Singaporeans that their jobs will be protected, by restricting foreign workers through increased levies.
Aside from protecting jobs, Prime Minister Lee emphasised the government's commitment to ensure that public housing will be within the reach of Singaporeans.
He said the Housing and Development Board (HDB) will build an additional 22,000 new flats next year - 6,000 more than this year.
For households earning between S$8,000 and S$10,000 monthly, he said the government will now allow them to participate in HDB's Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS).
Mr Lee said the move will widen the choice beyond executive condos, to allow them to buy HDB DBSS flats with a S$30,000 grant, but no HDB loan.
He added that the government will also do more to cool the private property market.
"Our purpose is to make sure that in the long term, Singaporeans can own their home and afford it, and it'll be a gradually appreciating asset which will grow as Singapore grows so that Singaporeans can benefit," he said.
Mr Lee also announced that S$400 million will be pumped into the Workfare Income Supplement for 400,000 low-wage Singaporeans this year.
National Servicemen will also not be forgotten, as Mr Lee acknowledged their contribution through a new initiative.
The National Service Recognition Award (NSRA), giving each NSman S$9,000, will be paid in tranches at major milestones of an NSman's service to help with the cost of their education and to buy a house.
Ultimately, to manage Singapore's immigration, talent and population policies, the government will set up a high-level Population and Talent Division.
Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng will oversee this division and ensure that all Singaporeans will benefit from the country's open door policy. But Mr Lee acknowledged that immigration is a continuing issue. He said the country as a whole must manage, monitor and adjust along the way.
- CNA/ir
