SINGAPORE : The Singapore economy will continue to gain momentum
through this year, says Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng
Kiang.
Speaking at the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and
Industry's Chinese New Year celebrations on Wednesday, he says
that, looking back, the Year of the Monkey was a good year.
After several difficult years, the Singapore economy rebounded
strongly to 8.1 percent growth last year; and the global
environment is positive.
The economy is forecast to grow between 3 and 5 percent this
year.
Mr Lim adds that as more Singapore-based companies
internationalise, he hopes to see Singaporeans penetrating new
markets.
In particular, for Singapore companies to succeed in their China
ventures, he stresses it is important that they must understand the
mode of doing business in China.
Hence, the need to continue to encourage the younger generation to
use the Chinese language in their daily lives.
Mr Lim noted that the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce
Institute of Business has developed an excellent curriculum of
Chinese language courses for working Singaporeans and people from
other nationalities.
The Institute has also established a Tourism Culture Academy to
train tourist guides in Mandarin.
He says these initiatives are useful in creating a more welcoming
environment for Chinese-speaking tourists. - CNA