MORE overseas Singaporeans are returning home, after the global downturn "accentuated the attractiveness of Asia", said Minister for Manpower Gan Kim Yong.
Contact Singapore, a government- run network which aims to attract global talent here, has observed "more overseas Singaporeans making inquiries about jobs back home", said Mr Gan.
While the number of overseas Singaporeans returning is not tracked by the Ministry of Manpower, a spokesman said that anecdotal evidence suggests there is an increase.
The number of Singaporeans studying overseas who signed up for Contact Singapore's career sessions this year has more than tripled compared to last year's figures, indicating heightened interest in returning home to work, a Contact Singapore spokesman told my paper.
Mr Gan said Harvard graduate Teo Hui Sin is a case in point. After applying for several jobs in the United States to no avail, she returned to Singapore and has accepted a position at the Ministry of Finance.
Mr Chia Wee Boon is another example.
He left Hewlett-Packard in the US to be the CEO of a local company.
Singapore attracts foreign talent as well, Mr Gan said. Today, there are about 100,000 foreign professionals working in Singapore, a 25 per cent increase over the number in 1999.
It is important not only to attract foreign talent, but also to "facilitate their stay here in Singapore", he added.
Mr Gan was speaking at the official opening of the Employment Pass Services Centre, a facility for newly-arrived expatriates to apply and collect their employment passes.
The centre will reduce the waiting time needed for application of employment passes, from half an hour to 15 minutes.
Instead of the usual queue system, it allows applicants to schedule their appointment online, ensuring they are served promptly.
The centre has served about 800 customers daily since it started operations last July.
Indian national Bantwal, 29, a business consultant who visited the centre two months ago, praised the friendly and knowledgeable staff. He said the top-notch technology also made a difference.
http://business.asiaone.com/Business/News/Story/A1Story20100113-191441.html
Contact Singapore, a government- run network which aims to attract global talent here, has observed "more overseas Singaporeans making inquiries about jobs back home", said Mr Gan.
While the number of overseas Singaporeans returning is not tracked by the Ministry of Manpower, a spokesman said that anecdotal evidence suggests there is an increase.
The number of Singaporeans studying overseas who signed up for Contact Singapore's career sessions this year has more than tripled compared to last year's figures, indicating heightened interest in returning home to work, a Contact Singapore spokesman told my paper.
Mr Gan said Harvard graduate Teo Hui Sin is a case in point. After applying for several jobs in the United States to no avail, she returned to Singapore and has accepted a position at the Ministry of Finance.
Mr Chia Wee Boon is another example.
He left Hewlett-Packard in the US to be the CEO of a local company.
Singapore attracts foreign talent as well, Mr Gan said. Today, there are about 100,000 foreign professionals working in Singapore, a 25 per cent increase over the number in 1999.
It is important not only to attract foreign talent, but also to "facilitate their stay here in Singapore", he added.
Mr Gan was speaking at the official opening of the Employment Pass Services Centre, a facility for newly-arrived expatriates to apply and collect their employment passes.
The centre will reduce the waiting time needed for application of employment passes, from half an hour to 15 minutes.
Instead of the usual queue system, it allows applicants to schedule their appointment online, ensuring they are served promptly.
The centre has served about 800 customers daily since it started operations last July.
Indian national Bantwal, 29, a business consultant who visited the centre two months ago, praised the friendly and knowledgeable staff. He said the top-notch technology also made a difference.
http://business.asiaone.com/Business/News/Story/A1Story20100113-191441.html
